“Mental tasks are done 20% more effectively while chewing gum…”
“36% of kids do better during tests if they chew gum…’
(Source: Chewing Gum Facts)
Not everyone has such a positive view on chewing gum… and the same applies to graffiti. Vandalism causes issues for schools and other establishments. We’re taking a closer look at these problems, and providing some tips on how to remove graffiti and gum.
Graffiti: art or vandalism?
Arguably, some forms of graffiti and street art are creative, artistic and contribute to community surroundings. This is particularly true when it is carried about by talented individuals (think of those artists in the realms of Banksy).
However, a lot of graffiti is mindless tagging which spoils the environment. This is especially true when it happens in schools and business establishments - it can ruin your credibility and raise concerns about the welfare of pupils or the capabilities of the businesses.
Investing in the cleaning of graffiti from your commercial establishment will make a huge difference to first impressions and customer experience.
The dilemma of gum in schools
Another issue which poses a major problem for schools is chewing gum. Always managing to find its way onto pavements and under desks, removing gum can be a difficult and disgusting task! However, leave it for too long and you may come under fire from key stakeholders and decision makers.
The benefits of removing graffiti and gum
1) Creates a pleasant environment for staff and students
The surroundings affect our mood which can also have an impact on performance. Feeling as though you are carefully looked after will encourage positive attitudes and allow pupils or employees to thrive.
2) Looks professional to clients and stakeholders
Whether you are a hotel, a leisure centre, an office or a school, you need to make good impressions. From clients to parents, you are always being assessed on how much value you can offer, and this extends to the environment.
3) Discourages further offences
Keeping a clean environment and demonstrating your ability to remove graffiti will prevent repeat offenders because they will no longer see the point. When it comes to gum, people will be less inclined to drop it on the floor if it’s already in a pristine condition and they will be solely responsible for ruining it.
How to remove graffiti and gum
You can attempt to remove graffiti and gum yourself, and there are a number of products available for the job.
There are different types of graffiti, chalk-based and spray paint. Pressure washing is often sufficient to remove chalk paint but spray paint will require a strong cleaner like acetone. Remember to protect yourself by wearing goggles. Other methods include sand-blasting and steam cleaning.
Removing gum can cause quite the headache, especially when there’s a lot of it. You can use freezing agents to make it completely solid and therefore easy to remove. The best way to remove it on a mass scale is to use hot pressure washing.
When it comes to graffiti and gum removal, it’s usually best to hire a specialist cleaning team for the job. They will have all the appropriate equipment, and the industry knowledge to achieve a high-quality result.
Birkin provide jet washing services to remove chewing gum, as well as dedicated graffiti removal as part of our specialist cleaning services. To find out more, get in touch with our team here or give us a ring on 01707 322 228.
