A GROTTY bathroom can be avoided with a cleaning enthusiast’s must-try tip for preventing stubborn limescale stains.
Jen Needham, who is also known as the “Cleaning Fairy Godmother,” uses a budget-friendly buy to reduce build up in her toilet.
Jen has racked up over 185,000 Instagram followers from sharing her hacks for a pristine home.
From white vinegar and baking soda to bleach, everyone has their trusted method of keeping toilets sparkling.
However, Jen revealed the best kept secret delivers impressive results with minimal effort and no harsh smell.
She takes two steps to eradicate stubborn build up before using a cleaning product to maintain the results.
“Remove the water from the bottom of the toilet by pushing it out with a toilet brush,” she told The Express.
“Then, gently go over the marks with a pumice stone and it will get through them perfectly.”
Jen said a budget buy from Asda is essential for a long-lasting finish.
“A great product to use daily once you’ve tackled the limescale is black Harpic toilet gel,” she said.
“Using it daily will help to control the build-up.”
Pumice stone is readily available at Superdrug for £2, while Harpic Power Plus Toilet Cleaner Gel costs £1.65 at Asda.
According to Harpic, the gel is “10x better than bleach” for removing stains, freshening, and banishing germs.
Shoppers have given it an almost perfect 5-star rating and penned rave reviews.
“This product works great, so quick and easy and works well too, doesn’t have to sit for long for it to work and doesn’t need scrubbing afterwards,” one customer said.
“This is a fantastic toilet cleaner, it really does get rid of the tough stains,” another wrote.
“A little goes along way. The scent isn’t too strong which Is good. Nice packaging.”
Research shows people are exposed to an average of 60,000 types of germs on a daily basis.
Cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist at Astonish, Olivia Young, reveals the dirtiest items in your home and how to clean them.
Kitchen sponges or cloths
Some of the items we use to clean surfaces are actually the dirtiest. From wiping down worktops, to cleaning dishes, kitchen sponges or clothes are used multiple times throughout the day. And when doing so, it’s usually wet and warm, meaning if it’s not cleaned properly, it can be a prime spot for bacteria to grow.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’ve used your sponge for around two weeks – it’s time to replace it.
Shoes
Shoes are without a doubt an item in your home that is full of bacteria. A study suggested a single shoe sole has an average of 421,000 units of bacteria, but there’s no need to panic.
Most of these germs that gather on shoes won’t come into contact with other areas of your house, assuming that you take them off as you enter or put them in a box in your wardrobe.
Pet bowls and toys
Pet bowls have actually been found to be the third most contaminated item in households, meaning they are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria that could make you and your pet unwell.
Give them a wash with warm soapy water after each use to keep bacteria at bay. For toys, if they’re plastic you can soak them in warm water with either disinfectant or soap, soft toys can be cleaned thoroughly in a washing machine on a gentle cycle.
Toothbrush holder
Your toothbrush holder is probably not something you’ve considered to be dirty – but there’s more germs in the container that holds your toothbrush, than the taps on your sink.
Clean your toothbrush holder at least once or twice a week.
A third customer raved about the gel not having an overpowering smell.
“I usually use bleach to clean the toilet of stubborn stains but I don’t like the smell,” they said.
“ This one was very easy to use and the bottle makes it easy to handle and use even with just one hand. The scent is much better than bleach.
“I left it for only ten minutes brushed a little but not too hard and flushed the loo. It got rid of almost all stains effectively.
“I was impressed with how quickly it worked. You only need a small amount and it removes stubborn and tough stains quickly and efficiently.”
