One of the most common problems in recent years has been the occurrence of colour loss in carpet and upholstery resulting from a chemical named benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is contained in acne medications, other skin care products, dog mange medicine, adhesive activators, etc. It is a powerful bleaching agent and can discolour most dyes used on carpet, upholstery, or other textiles.
The chemical discolouration appears as mysterious areas of bleached or lightened colour, in places where no apparent spillage has occurred. The bleached areas are often of a yellow, pink, orange, or off-white colour. Widespread use of acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide has increased the problem. Although the colour loss can occur soon after the chemical touches the fibres, it often does not appear until sometime later. The reaction is accelerated by high humidity, heat, and moisture.
It is particularly common for these spills to appear after rainy weather or soon after a carpet or upholstery cleaning. Spillage of this medication may have been overlooked, only to have the forgotten spill reappear later. In addition to spillage of the medication, it is easy to unknowingly transfer the chemical onto the fibres from the hands or face. The medication does not readily wash off the skin, leaving enough behind to get onto carpet or upholstery where it causes colour loss to appear without warning.
The bleached areas are permanently discoloured, as the dye has been chemically damaged. These colour changes, which may become apparent after cleaning, are sometimes blamed on the cleaner or cleaning process. However, the problem is due to the hidden benzoyl peroxide component of these acne medications, which is activated by heat and moisture.
