Residential and commercial carpet and tile cleaner serving Central Florida

(352) 508-4556

What is carpet wicking and what can be done about it?

What is carpet wicking and what can be done about it?

We often get called to re-clean carpet that has been cleaned and had a stain reappear.  The carpet gets cleaned, looks terrific, and then a few days later, the same stains come back! This can be very frustrating for homeowners, and if your carpet is cleaned correctly, it shouldn't happen.

The majority of the time, the reason for this repeated staining is wick-back. Wick- back is when stains soak to the padding/backing of the carpet. Once the carpet gets wet, the staining materials come up from the pad to the fibers on the surface of the carpet. This occurs with strong stains (coffee or wine) and can occur if the stain is removed, but the carpet takes too long to dry.

A great way to prevent wick-back is with fans. The use of powerful fans helps to create airflow and aid in quickly drying the carpet, which helps prevent wicking. There is also an encapsulate protector that can be applied at the end of the carpet cleaning. This protects from wick-back and helps prevent new stains.

It is essential to realize that some stains do become permanent. Bleach, permanent markers, and many other household items, when spilled onto the carpet, will permanently damage carpet dyes. There are no spotting solutions that will fix dye loss.

If you seem to be having wick-back issues, please contact Gator Clean for assistance in finding the best solution for your home!

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What Your Neighbors Say About Gator Clean

Awesome work ethic and great customer service. They were on time and did a thorough job cleaning the ducts in our two story historic district home. 45 vents later and they never stopped until the job was done. Highly recommend Danielle and her team- wish they did windows! Thank you, Ladies!!

Leila Baker
August 28, 2025

Review from Google

Review from Google

We had a great experience with Gator Clean for our duct cleaning! From start to finish, the team was professional, courteous, and right on time. Daniele took the time to explain what they were doing and even showed us before-and-after photos of our ducts—which were way dustier and lots of mold than I realized! The whole process was quick, tidy, and made such a difference in the air quality in our home. It feels fresher already. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for a thorough, honest, and friendly service.

Stephanie Duncan
August 7, 2025

Review from Google

Review from Google

Great team! Daniele returned my phone call right away. We made an appointment for the following week and they arrived as promised. Great job cleaning my air ducts and dryer vent with taking care to protect my home. They were a pleasure to have in the house. Thanks for an excellent experience!

Kathy Ruben
August 4, 2025

Review from Google

Review from Google

I had a great experience with this company, especially thanks to Daniele! From the very beginning, her communication stood out—she texted me when she was on her way and arrived right on time. She was responsive, professional, and made me feel truly heard when she arrived. Daniele was not only knowledgeable about the work, but also took the time to explain things clearly and offered helpful tips for maintaining air quality in my home. She was personable, professional, and made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. I really appreciated her attention to detail and customer care. Highly recommend!

sadie shalane
August 1, 2025

Review from Google

Review from Google

This company was awesome. Danielle and her team were extremely detailed they documented the entire process of the duct cleaning services from before/after photos- to noting anomalies- to recommendations on hvac maintenance. Fast, efficient, clean. It’s hard to recommend contractors nowadays but this one exceeded expectations.

William Gray
July 25, 2025

Review from Google

Review from Google

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Gator Clean

Gator Clean is a residential and commercial carpet and tile cleaning company, serving Lake, Sumter, Marion and surrounding counties.

(352) 508-4556

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Normal Business Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am to 7pm
Weekends by appointment