--- title: What Color Is the Carpet? Metamerism description: Sometimes a customer is sure that the color after cleaning is not the same as prior to cleaning. There can be many reasons for apparent changes in color. One interesting reason you may not have considered is metamerism. image: https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/My%20Post%20feature.jpg --- - [Home](https://aramsco.com) - [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com) [![Aramsco](https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/Aramsco_May2019/Image/logo.png)](https://www.aramsco.com/) - [Home](https://aramsco.com) - [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com) - Account - [locations](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/locations/) - [education](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/education/) - [about us](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/aboutus/) # Pro's Corner ## [What Color Is the Carpet? Metamerism](https://blog.aramsco.com/what-color-is-the-carpet-metamerism) Posted by Scott Warrington on Mar 26th 2019 Have you ever had a client accuse you of doing something that changed the color of their carpet, rug, or upholstery? Great news if you removed all the soil and revealed the true color of the carpet. But, sometimes a customer is sure that the color after cleaning is not the same as prior to cleaning. There can be many reasons for apparent changes in color. One interesting reason you may not have considered is metamerism.  ![My Post (47)-1](https://blog.aramsco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/My%20Post%20(47)-1.jpg?width=576&name=My%20Post%20(47)-1.jpg)   Consider another example where fabric seems to change color. You purchase a new suit (or shirt or other article of clothing) in a retail store. When you wear it outside in natural sunlight, the color does not look the same. Why does this happen?  ![My Post (45)-1-1](https://blog.aramsco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/My%20Post%20(45)-1-1.jpg?width=300&name=My%20Post%20(45)-1-1.jpg) Our perception of color is based on three things. 1. The light that strikes an object. 2. The light that is absorbed by the object (the rest is reflected back to our eyes). 3. How our eyes interpret the light reaching them. White light is a blend of various wavelengths each of which is seen as a different color. You have seen white light split into all the colors of the rainbow using a prism. Sunlight or natural light is a rather even blend of all colors. The lights in the store may be fluorescent, which produce a light heavy on the blue portion of the spectrum. We also encounter incandescent lights which tend toward the yellow and LED lighting which has its own blend of wavelengths and colors. As these various types of light strike our new suit, some of the wavelengths or colors are absorbed and others are reflected back. The light reflected back to our eyes depends on the light striking the fabric. It can’t reflect back wavelengths that were not present. So, the color you see will be different depending upon the lighting. ![My Post (40)-1](https://blog.aramsco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/My%20Post%20(40)-1.jpg?width=576&name=My%20Post%20(40)-1.jpg) Different eyes add a third variable. Each of us sees color slightly differently. What one person sees as blue may seem to have a green tint to another. Pairs of colors that look the same under one type of lighting but look different under other lighting are called metameres. The changes in appearance due to lighting is called metamerism. Metamerism is more likely to affect colors that are close to neutral including browns and blues common in commercial carpet. Lighter colors like beige or a light mauve are also affected. How does this affect carpet appearance? Suppose we start cleaning the carpet on a sunny afternoon with natural light pouring in through the windows. We finish later in the day when sunlight is diminished, and the overhead lighting comes from CFL bulbs. The carpet appears a different shade. This is not because we used too much oxidizer or an extra alkalinity. It is simply a change in lighting.  ![hallway carpet-1](https://blog.aramsco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hallway%20carpet-1.jpg?width=300&name=hallway%20carpet-1.jpg)When looking at the carpet down a hallway, have you noticed that the carpet may appear lighter (or darker) in front of doorways? If the door is open, light may be coming through the door from a different source made up of different wavelengths. Or the ambient light may be striking a colored wall and then reflecting onto the carpet in one area while the light reaching the carpet in another area is first reflected from a door that is painted white. In each case, the appearance of the carpet depends upon the colors available to be reflected back to our eyes. Some cleaners carry a white light source like a light used when taking photographs or videos. This can be used to show the carpet’s true colors.       [Carpet](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [**BLOG HOME**](https://blog.aramsco.com/) **Where the professionals go to learn about:** - lead and asbestos abatement - professional cleaning - mold, fire, and water restoration - concrete surface preparation - business management ### Subscribe to Blog Search this site on Google Search Google ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Business (41)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/business) - [Aramsco Clean (35)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-clean) - [Aramsco Restore (28)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-restore) - [carpet cleaning (27)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-cleaning) - [Chemistry (19)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/chemistry) - [Rugs (14)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/rugs) - [Carpet (12)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet) - [Aramsco Surface (11)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-surface) - [target marketing (11)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/target-marketing) - [Concrete (10)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/concrete) - [Education (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/education) - [deodorization (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/deodorization) - [special agents (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/special-agents) - [upholstery cleaning (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/upholstery-cleaning) - [Carpet Presprays (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-presprays) - [Tile & Grout (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/tile-grout) - [customer service (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-service) - [encapsulation (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/encapsulation) - [COVID-19 (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/covid-19) - [Spotting (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/spotting) - [Stain Removal (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/stain-removal) - [Surface Preparation (6)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/surface-preparation) - [Business Finance (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/business-finance) - [Customer communication and storytelling (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-communication-and-storytelling) - [Grow your business (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/grow-your-business) - [carpet protector (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-protector) - [Equipment (4)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/equipment) - [Flooring (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/flooring) - [concrete surface preparation (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/concrete-surface-preparation) - [sales (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/sales) - [IICRC Classes (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/iicrc-classes) - [Restoration (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/restoration) - [Targeted Marketing (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/targeted-marketing) - [Trauma Cleaning (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/trauma-cleaning) - [Truckmount (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/truckmount) - [carpet coloring (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-coloring) - [Aramsco Service (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-service) - [Customer Acquisition (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-acquisition) - [fiber identification (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/fiber-identification) - [news releases (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/news-releases) - [portables (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/portables) See all ### Blog Archive - [Tom Forsythe (130)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/tom-forsythe) - [Drew Crawford (50)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/drew-crawford) - [Aramsco Technical Staff (26)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/aramsco-technical-staff) - [Scott Warrington (18)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/scott-warrington) - [Jared Twitchell (15)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/jared-twitchell) - [Alex Morrill (12)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/alex-morrill) - [Steve Johnson (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/steve-johnson) - [Angela Buckendorf (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/angela-buckendorf) - [Rachel Adams (4)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/rachel-adams) - [Ron Colling (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/ron-colling) - [Seth Gifford (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/seth-gifford) - [Nancy Macdonald (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/nancy-macdonald) - [Gregg Sargent (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/gregg-sargent) - [Angela Buckendorf & Drew Crawford (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/angela-buckendorf-drew-crawford) - [Savaana Sihapanya (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/savaana-sihapanya) - [Dane Gregory (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/dane-gregory) - [Sandra Hummel (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/sandra-hummel) - [Luke Draeger (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/luke-draeger) - [Doyle Bloss (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/doyle-bloss) - [Tim Schaelling (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/tim-schaelling) - [Lucas Whitmer (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/lucas-whitmer) - [Schyler Lewis (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/schyler-lewis) - [Drew Crawford & Alex Morrill (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/drew-crawford-alex-morrill) - [Michelle Smith (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/michelle-smith) See all #### Current Promotions Great deals on abatement, safety, surface preparation, and carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals! [Click to Save](https://aramsco.com/on-sale.html) #### Online Catalog All the restoration, safety, cleaning and surface preparation products you need in glossy, digital print. [See Products](https://cx.aramsco.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.1.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670) #### Nexus Conference Updates on the industry's top conference. Demos, Education, Networking, and Fun! [Learn More](https://nexus.aramsco.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.1.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670) - Shop By Categories - [Air Scrubbers](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/negative-air-air-scrubbers.html) - [Carpet Cleaning Chemicals](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/cleaning.html) - [Cleaning Equipment](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/cleaning-equipment.html) - [Cleaning Tools](https://www.aramsco.com/tools-supplies/cleaning-tools-supplies.html) - [Concrete Grinding](https://aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/grinders-polishers.html) - [Disinfectants & Antimicrobials](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/disinfectants-antimicrobials.html) - [Drying Equipment](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/drying.html) - [Floor Scrapers](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/scrapers.html) - [Mastic Removers](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/adhesive-coating-removers.html) - [Odor Neutralizers](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/odor-control.html) - [Poly Sheeting](https://www.aramsco.com/plastics-adhesives/poly-sheeting.html) - [Respirators](https://www.aramsco.com/safety-ppe/respirators-respiratory-protection.html) - [Shot Blasting](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/shot-abrasive-blasting.html) - [Thermal Imaging](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/meters-testing/infrared-temperature.html) - [Vacuums](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/vacuums.html) - Resources - [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com) - [Classifieds](https://classifieds.aramsco.com/) - [Monthly Ad](https://cx.aramsco.com/) - [Education Schedule](https://www.cvent.com/c/calendar/ab53c6cb-fee0-44a6-a384-c51a2a4b32c0) - [Equipment Financing](https://aztecfinancial.com/) - [Equipment Rental](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs) - [Equipment Repair](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs) - [Site Map](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs) - Company Info - [About Us](https://www.aramsco.com/aboutus) - [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=aramsco&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US) - [Contact Us](https://www.aramsco.com/contact) - [News](https://www.aramsco.com/news) - OUR BRANDS - [Aztec Financial](https://aztecfinancial.com/) - [NSS](https://nssusa.com/) - [Safety Express](http://safetyexpress.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.2.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670) - Policies - [Privacy Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/privacy-policy) - [Return Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions#returns) - [Shipping Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions#shipping) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions) - Corporate Location - Find a location Near You - [Location image](https://www.aramsco.com/locations) Corporate Location - Aramsco, Inc. Five Radnor Corporate Center 100 Matsonford Road Suite 510 Radnor, PA 19087  - (800) 767-6933 - customer.service@aramsco.com Copyright © 2025 Aramsco. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Scott Warrington", "url" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/author/scott-warrington" }, "dateModified" : "2020-09-25T20:16:12.584Z", "datePublished" : "2019-03-26T20:54:38.000Z", "headline" : "What Color Is the Carpet? Metamerism", "image" : [ "https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/My%20Post%20feature.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/what-color-is-the-carpet-metamerism", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/Logos/Aramsco%20R%20Family%20-%20Equipped%20for%20Success.png" }, "name" : "Aramsco" } } ```