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How to get tough on a soft drink stain
07 March 2013
Irn Bru is not only the most popular soft drink in Scotland but is also the hardest to clean up, according to ServiceMaster Clean
Irn Bru is not only the most popular soft drink in Scotland but is also the hardest to
clean up, according to ServiceMaster Clean
As one of the biggest carpet cleaning companies in the world, ServiceMaster Clean has the equipment to take care of most stains, but Irn Bru tops the list when it comes to being the most difficult to remove. The next most troublesome stain is caused by spilt curry, which often contains similar colourants. Third place in the dirt directory goes to blackcurrant cordial.
"We found that Irn Bru is really difficult to remove, perhaps adding weight to the makers claims that it is made from girders," says Ian McCormack, the company's leading expert on stain removal. "It really is tough but it can be cleaned up by our technicians." In order, the top ten most difficult stains commonly found by ServiceMaster Clean are: Irn Bru, curry, blackcurrant cordial, lily pollen, Coca Cola, red wine, coffee, tea, lipstick and permanent marker pen.
Act fast Professional equipment and treatments can remove these stains in most cases, but prompt action is needed. ServiceMaster Clean offers some advice on what to do when the inevitable happens: · Scoop up any solids or broken glass etc · Absorb excess liquid from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain · Spray with water or carpet shampoo · Absorb the excess liquid · Leave a damp (preferably white) towel on top · Place a weight such as a telephone directory/store catalogue wrapped in clingfilm on the towel to soak up excess - repeat if necessary.
Acting quickly will minimise the stain but professional help may still be needed. "Most people make the mistake of mopping up with a cloth and rubbing the stain, which often makes things worse," explains McCormack. "It then gets left for a while before an attempt is made to clean it up with 'off the shelf' products, and there is nearly always a residual mark left.
"The difference with a professional cleaning company is that we have products specifically designed to gently remove the stain while protecting the material that the stain is on - things that you can't do with a single product.
"Not only that but we have the training and expertise to use them correctly, and more importantly, we are insured to carry out the work."
As one of the biggest carpet cleaning companies in the world, ServiceMaster Clean has the equipment to take care of most stains, but Irn Bru tops the list when it comes to being the most difficult to remove. The next most troublesome stain is caused by spilt curry, which often contains similar colourants. Third place in the dirt directory goes to blackcurrant cordial.
"We found that Irn Bru is really difficult to remove, perhaps adding weight to the makers claims that it is made from girders," says Ian McCormack, the company's leading expert on stain removal. "It really is tough but it can be cleaned up by our technicians." In order, the top ten most difficult stains commonly found by ServiceMaster Clean are: Irn Bru, curry, blackcurrant cordial, lily pollen, Coca Cola, red wine, coffee, tea, lipstick and permanent marker pen.
Act fast Professional equipment and treatments can remove these stains in most cases, but prompt action is needed. ServiceMaster Clean offers some advice on what to do when the inevitable happens: · Scoop up any solids or broken glass etc · Absorb excess liquid from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain · Spray with water or carpet shampoo · Absorb the excess liquid · Leave a damp (preferably white) towel on top · Place a weight such as a telephone directory/store catalogue wrapped in clingfilm on the towel to soak up excess - repeat if necessary.
Acting quickly will minimise the stain but professional help may still be needed. "Most people make the mistake of mopping up with a cloth and rubbing the stain, which often makes things worse," explains McCormack. "It then gets left for a while before an attempt is made to clean it up with 'off the shelf' products, and there is nearly always a residual mark left.
"The difference with a professional cleaning company is that we have products specifically designed to gently remove the stain while protecting the material that the stain is on - things that you can't do with a single product.
"Not only that but we have the training and expertise to use them correctly, and more importantly, we are insured to carry out the work."
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