The RSPCA said washing up liquid was initially used to clean the birds, but margarine proved to be far more effective.

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Staff used washing up liquid and margarine to clean the animals.

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Until Wednesday they were mainly being cared for at the RSPCA's West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset, where they were cleaned with washing up liquid and margarine.

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Washing-up liquid had been put down toilets, cellophane put across toilets seats and fish placed in the school library.

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Some work like detergents, disrupting the membrane that surrounds an individual virus in the way that washing-up liquid disrupts an oily film.

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Staff were soaked with water bombs, washing-up liquid was squirted into the eyes of one teacher, and the head's office was "trashed", she said.

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Staff used washing-up liquid and margarine to clean them.

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