Video Appears To Show Energy Drink Cleaning Stains Better Than Brake Cleaner

Energy drinks serve several important purposes in our society, whether it's helping you to get drunk, helping you through a hangover or helping children become completely unteachable.

But it appears they could also serve a useful function without being consumed.

A video has surfaced online of a mechanic from Freemont, Nerbraska, USA, using Monster Energy drink to clean a grimy work surface.

In the video, the mechanic demonstrates the semi-effectiveness of 'powerful' brake cleaner when scrubbing the scuzzy surface. He then pours some of the energy drink on the same surface before effortlessly wiping it pristine clean, concluding that 'it has several times the power... little scary'.

Just a little?

The mechanic said: "Originally spilled Monster on my toolbox months ago by accident and realised it actually cleaned it and made it shine when I wiped it off. So now that my toolbox was dirty again I decided to record its cleaning ability."

The video was viewed more than 16 million times on Facebook, but many people questioned the authenticity and usefulness of the video.

One person argued that water would have cleaned the stains just as effectively.

They said: "It's really just a function of wetness. Brake cleaner is based on solvents such as Tetrachloroethylene, which evaporate rapidly and leave behind no residue so as not to contaminate brake pads and discs.

"Energy drink is mostly carbonated water and sugar and does not evaporate rapidly.. you would experience almost the same cleaning effect of energy drink by using just water.

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"There is nothing especially nasty in an energy drink. Just water, sugar, a gram of taurine, and some caffeine.. and a few other bits and bobs.. the only thing possibly helping the cleaning process is the sugar (mildly abrasive) and the carbonation (cavitation - agitation).. but you'd get better results with alcohol.. washing up liquid.. degreaser... etc.

"Something that stays wet long enough to help clean but with ingredients that also dislodge grease and dirt."

Others highlighted the fact that energy drinks contain high levels of acid, namely citric acid, which is often used as a cleaning agent.

Another criticism of the video received 4,600 likes with only six words - "The energy drink was opened already."

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Indeed, it seems very few viewers interpreted the video as the 'scary' deterrent it purported to be.

One person said: "Looks like I'm going to start drinking break cleaner from now on. Time to stock up!!"

Energy drinks have been in the news already this week - with scientists warning that just one can trigger early heart disease or risk of a stroke.

So by all means, use energy drinks to clean surfaces if you wish, or just keep drinking it... but please don't drink brake cleaner.

Monster Beverage, which manufactures the drink, has been contacted for comment.

Topics: energy drink

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey