Different Problems, Different Solutions

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Some of the various cleaning solvents that SERVPRO uses for the different jobs that we encounter.

Ever since I was a young man, I've always believed that any stain could be removed with enough elbow grease, water and soap. I never knew until recently how wrong I actually was. Sure, good old fashioned elbow grease contributes to getting out most major stains, however, what I didn't know is that stains and dirt are all different, therefore requiring different solutions in order to mitigate. 

For example, some stains and dirt can be removed with dry solutions and dry sponges. These stains are hydrophobic meaning that water doesn't dissolve it and usually just makes it worse. Since this is the case, these stains are classified as lipophilic, meaning you would use some sort of solvent that is mainly fatty based in order to fully dissolve the stains and dirt. Stains can also be hydrophilic, where water and solvent will get the job done, and lipophobic, where the fatty based cleaner doesn't fully dissolve the dirt and stains. 

That is why every job and every stain is different, requiring tailor made solutions in order to completely clean the area to its original sheen, like the disaster never happened.