Optical brighteners are common in laundry detergents for whiter-looking clothing. Every client wants to have their carpet last a long time and look good year after year. Many companies use brightening agents called optical brightening agents or fluorescent whitening agents. This chemical compound absorbs ultraviolet light and enhances the appearance of fabric and fibers. When used on carpet, it may not be the best thing for its long life.
Optical brighteners may look good on carpeting at first. However, without frequent washing and reapplication, the chemicals can turn yellowish or brownish with age. This makes the carpeting look worse over time. Also, these brighteners have a high pH, which can sometimes affect the carpet dye. This means that the brightener may bleach out the carpet color or at least discolor it in certain areas. Finally, the use of brighteners may be prohibited by manufacturers and void out any warranty in place.
There are plenty of ways to keep carpeting looking clean and bright. However, optical brighteners should definitely not be one of them.
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