FRINGES-DYE STRIPPING & BLEACHING

Cautions:

1. Always inspect and pre-test. Document and photograph. Note all pre-existing damage.
2. Test for fringe fiber type. Most often it will be cotton. So this information will be about
cotton fringes.
3. Tug or pull on fringe to see if it has bleach damage or dry rot.
4. Inspect for tea dye, yellowing, or fake whitening agents. Look for cellulosic browning.
5. Consider fringe replacement. Quote before washing.
6. Do Not set expectations to be 100% perfection, only an improvement. Do Not attempt
100% reduction of color, try for 90% or so, as you will most likely overshoot if you go
for 100%.
7. Have release of liability signed before washing.

Washing procedures:

1. Protect face pile from dye stripping chemistry. Either wet out face fibers with water to
make them less-absorbent or apply Fluorosolve to make them more nonabsorbent.
2. Shampoo fringe with Problem Reducing Rug Shampoo solution. Avoid getting on face pile
fibers. Work in with tapping if possible, use tapping brush, or mallet. Keep dwell time
even and consistent. Keep track of time to get even results. Do not exceed 10
minutes
3. Rinse fringe. Power wash if possible or use extraction with upholstery tool.
4. Speed dry fringe if results are good. If not, go to next step.
5. Pretest Dye Stripper on the worst area. Use the weakest dilution that works, “first do no
harm”. Start at about 1% solution, or one ounce per gallon of water. Work your way up
until you get good results in 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Apply your predetermined strength Dye Stripper solution. Avoid getting on face pile. If not
working well, you can use a steam gun tool to accelerate Dye Stripper. Be careful, only
apply for a few seconds (10 seconds or less). Some use a towel to cover over
fringe to absorb any off colors. Try to keep application even and consistent to avoid
blotchiness. Avoid steaming face pile.
7. Rinse fringe with clear cool water, with extraction tool, or power wash.
8. Neutralize fringe with Ancient Secret Formula solution (or 1 1/2 % hydrogen peroxide). This
will stop the reducing/stripping action and kill the odor.
9. Speed dry fringe, some use a hair dryer or leaf blower, or hang in dry room.

Alternative method: Bleaching fringes

1. Use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) only as a last resort. Bleach can and does damage cotton
and wool. Bleach is corrosive. Bleach is incompatible with many chemicals and can
release toxic chlorine gas! Use only in a well ventilated area. Wear appropriate PPE.
2. Pre-test bleach solution on the worst area. Use the weakest dilution that works. “First do no
harm”. Start about 1/4% solution or 1/4 ounce per gallon of cool water. Work your
way up until you get results in 60 to 90 seconds. Neutralize test areas. Bleach must
always be neutralized. Too strong of bleach solution can cause yellowing that is very
difficult to remove and can also destroy the cotton itself.
3. Apply your predetermined strength, bleach solution. Avoid getting on face pile. Immediately
neutralize and rinse off if you do. Try to keep application even and consistent to avoid
blotchiness. You may need to work in small sections at a time. Keep dwelltime
consistent.
4. Immediately neutralize fringe with 3% hydrogen peroxide or 1% Dye Stripper solution. Do
Not skip this step. Rinse fringe with cool water. Do not use an acid rinse. Adding a
little Dye Stripper to the rinse water is a good idea.
5. Measure the bleach residue with an ORP (oxidation reduction potential) meter. If the
reading is above 500 millivolts, apply more bleach neutralizer to completely remove
the bleach residues. Rinse again.
6. Neutralize and rinse all tools, floors, shoes etc. to prevent bleach damage to other rugs and
items.
7. Speed dry fringe. Some use a hair dryer or leaf blower, or hang in a dry room.