A Simple Idea That Went Viral
Most of us drive past dirty, algae-covered road signs without a second thought. But for Jake Tredgett, an exterior cleaner, they were impossible to ignore. One day, he decided to clean a sign just to see the difference—and the results were shocking.
After posting a video of his work online, it quickly went viral, racking up over a million views. Since then, Jake has been stopping to clean road signs on his way to jobs, transforming them in just a few minutes.
More Than Just Clean Signs
For Jake, this isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about road safety and community spirit. Many of the signs he cleans are completely unreadable, making them potential hazards for drivers.
The public has praised his efforts, and his growing online following has sparked conversations about why councils aren’t doing more. But for Jake, it’s a personal mission—one that could soon turn into something bigger.
What’s Next?
With increasing media attention, including a front-page feature in the Eastern Daily Press, Jake’s work isn’t going unnoticed. His next goal? Cleaning neglected playgrounds, so children can enjoy them again.
We caught up with Jake to hear more about his unusual but impactful mission.
We spoke to Jake about his unexpected rise to fame, the impact of his work, and what’s next for his road sign-cleaning mission.
“I Just Thought, How Would That Look Clean?” – An Interview with Jake Tredgett
Jake Tredgett | External Solutions Norfolk
Tell us about your road sign cleaning mission!
I was just driving around normally. I’m an exterior cleaner anyway, so whenever I go anywhere, I look at people’s roofs—I see the moss on them, and it winds me up because I want them to pay me to clean it! I notice green things all the time.
So, when I started spotting really dirty road signs, I thought, “How would that look if it was clean?” I gave it a go, and the result was amazing. I posted a video on social media, and it just took off! It’s been a great way to gain followers and engagement while also making a difference.
How long have you been doing this?
I’ve only been cleaning signs for two months and have done about 20 so far. Today, for example, I’m in Blofield—if it’s not too late and it’s safe to do so, I’ll just pull over and clean a sign. It only takes about three minutes. If I have water on board, I’ll do it.
What sparked the idea?
I saw other people doing it across the country, and their social posts went viral. So, I gave it a go and posted my first sign-cleaning video on TikTok—it got 1 million views! I was buzzing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the content you produce?
I’ve been consistently posting content for about 3–4 months now, every single day. My goal is to eventually generate income through a larger following, but it takes a lot of time and effort.
Even though we’re just a cleaning company, we’re investing in new camera equipment because video is the best way to market our services and show people what we do.
Have you had much praise from the public?
Oh, today has been crazy! I found out we’re on the front page of the Eastern Daily Press! I don’t think it’s been released yet, but it should be out tomorrow.
Congratulations!
Thanks! I’ve had loads of people, like yourself, reaching out for interviews. I’m really happy with how everything’s going. Good Morning Britain, here I come!
You never know, right? It’s got to start somewhere…
Exactly! I’ve had my cleaning business for about two years now, and this has been a great way to market it. But beyond that, it’s also about community spirit.
One of the signs I cleaned was a “weak bridge” sign. I can’t imagine a lorry driver or someone in a larger vehicle being able to see it at night because the algae was so bad. The sign probably wouldn’t have even reflected properly—it was a real hazard.
You must sleep well at night knowing your work is potentially preventing accidents.
Yeah, it’s a really nice feeling. I’ve been so happy today. I’ve been working all day in a dead zone, and my phone is just going ping, ping, ping—but I can’t even read the messages yet!
Do you see this turning into a bigger movement, or do you just enjoy keeping it a personal mission?
It depends… I wouldn’t mind a contract!
That’s what I was wondering—maybe the council will offer you one?
I hope so, but honestly, I’m a little worried. I don’t want it to seem like I’m being a vigilante or stepping on anyone’s toes. A lot of people have been tagging the council in my posts saying, “Why aren’t they doing this?” and “Where does our tax money go?” I don’t want any backlash.
What’s next for your road sign-cleaning mission?
I want to clean a playground next. There are a few really dirty ones in my area that are in horrendous condition, and kids don’t even play on them anymore.
I’ve already spoken to a local community centre, but they told me, “We can’t afford the water bill.” I was like, “I’ll clean your park for free, so kids can use it again!” I even offered to pay the water bill myself, but they told me to contact the council. I haven’t done that yet, but it’s on the cards for this spring because the playgrounds are in a terrible state.
They’re covered in algae, moss, and graffiti—and those are all things we specialise in. If it’s outside, we clean it.
From Signs to Playgrounds – What’s Next for Jake?
From Signs to Playgrounds – What’s Next for Jake?What started as a spontaneous decision to clean a single road sign has now turned into a small movement, proving that one person’s initiative can make a real difference.
Jake’s work isn’t just about making things look nicer—it’s about road safety, community improvement, and inspiring others to take pride in their surroundings. His next goal, restoring neglected playgrounds, is yet another example of how small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
Want to follow Jake’s journey? Check out his TikTok @externalsolutions to see his latest cleaning transformations, and visit his business website for more info about their services here.