This homemade 45p bathroom cleaning hack blew my mind (the experts were right)
But have you tried making your bathroom sink, bath and tiles sparkle like new, using a piece of fruit? I have, and it blew my mind.
I'm the first to admit that I get sucked into these ridiculous trends on social media when it comes to household hacks – the cheaper (and weirder), the better, in my honest opinion.
Because let's be honest, cleaning your house with the same old anti-bacterial spray, such as Flash or Zoflora, can get pretty boring, and that's coming from someone who cleans for a hobby.
So, when I came across a cleaning expert who recommended giving your bathroom suite a rub-down with a grapefruit and some salt, I quite literally jumped (up from the sofa) at the chance.
My first thoughts were, is my bathroom going to turn into a giant bucket of Pimms-like sticky syrup, and will it attract every flying insect (I'm looking at you, wasps nest across the road) surrounding my house?
I just had to find out, because there was no way a humongous 45p grapefruit from Tesco could replace my trusty method army – I was adamant this was even too weird for me.
But do you know what, Nigel Bearman at Daily Poppins was right, it does clean your bathroom surfaces and it does one hell of a job without any harsh chemicals in sight.
I actually ate the other half of grapefruit which wasn't used to clean my bathroom - don't judge (Image: Molly Court/Newsquest) What stood out to me the most was how much it made the likes of my bathroom taps shine like they were straight out of a Wickes showroom. It even managed to get rid of a small build-up of limescale.
Plus, I can't tell you how refreshing it was to have a natural, zesty scent take over my bathroom, a difference from the usual pungent anti-bacterial sprays.
Although it looked a bit of a mess at first (I found it quite satisfying squeezing the inner grapefruit flesh over my sink and bath), it all washed away within seconds of pouring warm water on top.
Best of all, after letting the grapefruit juice and salt soak, there wasn't a speckle of sticky residue, which was my ultimate fear.
All that was left was a gleaming sink, taps and bath without any dust, grime or stains, and it only took 10 minutes to achieve.
What do you usually clean your bathroom with? (Image: Molly Court/Newsquest)
When cleaning my bathroom with grapefruit and salt, this is the method I followed, thanks to Nigel's instructions:
Cut the grapefruit in half and sprinkle it with coarse salt (like Epsom or sea salt) - I used normal cooking salt and it worked just fine
Take one half of the grapefruit and lightly scrub it over the surface of your bath and shower
Let it sit for a few minutes to help the citric acid work even harder on the stains (optional)
Rinse the area with warm water and wipe clean if necessary
So, what's the science behind grapefruit and salt being an excellent bathroom cleaner?
Nigel explained: 'Grapefruit contains citric acid which helps to quickly break down soap scum and grime found in baths and showers. It acts as a natural cleaning agent and dissolves through tough stains while eliminating germs and bacteria.
An unbelievable transformation if I do say so myself (Image: Molly Court/Newsquest)
'The salt works as an abrasive to help scrub the grime away while you use it, while the grapefruit uses its natural acids and antibacterial properties to break down the buildup and leave your bathroom sparkling clean. It's a simple, eco-friendly solution that gives you a fresh, citrus-scented finish.'
Recommended reading:
Method's new cleaning spray transformed my home into a Jo Malone-scented paradise
I banished the world's worst washing machine smell with 30p hack (and toothpaste)
How to remove tough yellow toilet seat stains - 65p hack leaves them 'spotless'
Additionally, you can also make an all-purpose grapefruit spray – just squeeze the juice from the grapefruit into a spray bottle, add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar, top it up with warm water, and give it a good shake.
You can also use the leftover grapefruit peel to deodorise your bathroom bin or pop it in a pot of boiling water to naturally scent the whole room.
If you fancy giving your bathroom a clean using this cheap grapefruit hack, let us know how you get on in the comments below. What a zest-tastic idea from Nigel, I owe you one.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Massive rat ‘almost the size of a small cat' found inside home
A gargantuan rat that measured a whopping 22 inches was found inside a residence in London, England. Eston Ward Councillors David Taylor and Stephen Martin posted about the alarming discovery made in a North Yorkshire neighbourhood — along with a photo of the enormous rodent that resembled the creatures Westley and Buttercup encounter in the Fire Swamp in The Princess Bride. In the July 28 post titled, 'Shocking Size — And A Growing Problem,' the councillors wrote: 'This massive rat over 22 inches long from nose to tail was found inside a local home this weekend.' They continued: 'It's almost the size of a small cat. And it's not a one-off.' The men shared a photo provided by the homeowner of the colossal creature in a clear, plastic bag after pest control made the jaw-dropping discovery. They went on to list how 'rats are being spotted more and more' in the area, but this may be the first time a rodent of this size was found inside a home. 'The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get,' they concluded. 'We need action — not just advice.' In an Aug. 3 follow-up, they noted that this is not the first time their area has experienced a rodent problem, noting that effective actions were taken 'two years' ago. However, 'now, the rats are back, and in even greater numbers,' they wrote. RECOMMENDED VIDEO They also shared a photo of 'rat holes' found at one home, as a fairly large dog curiously hovered over them. In another update, Taylor and Martin noted their hopes of something being done as their community's rodent problem has gone viral. 'PERFECT RAT STORM': Toronto, Ottawa seek ways to fight increasingly visible rodents Rat spotted at window of theatre after health department gives it top mark Rat ambassadors try to counter bad press amid New York City's rat war 'Despite the national headlines, no one from the Council's Labour administration has been in touch but we will push forward this week,' they wrote. 'It affects all our wards or our lives and it's time for action.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prince William & Harry's Inheritance Details Revealed After Reports Nobody Knows ‘How Much Longer' King Charles Has Left to Live
The truth about the British royal family is that, no matter how much people want things to stay the way they are, they can't. Particularly under the current circumstances. The King is sick, so plans for succession need to be made. His illness has also likely precipitated his reconciliation with his youngest son, Prince Harry, which seems to be coming together. And Prince William will inherit the throne, likely sooner or later. But details about what each of King Charles' sons will inherit outside of the obvious are scarce. And one of those inheritance questions has to do with Princess Diana's childhood home, the Althorp estate in Northamptonshire. The late Princess spent some of her childhood holidays there before moving in permanently into the home at 14. More from StyleCaster Harry & Meghan's Ex-Staffer All But Confirmed Rumors They're Moving Back to the UK Amid Claims William Won't 'Welcome Them Back' King Charles Suffers Devastating Setback Amid Reports No One Knows 'How Much Longer' He Has Left to Live Related: Who inherited what from Princess Diana? Almost as importantly, the estate is Princess Diana's final resting place. She was buried in the grounds of the residence at her brother's request. Her grave is located on a small island nicknamed 'The Oval,' in the center of an artificial lake on the estate. Her burial place is not accessible to guests or any member of the public. Considering all of this, is Prince William or Prince Harry getting the estate when King Charles dies? The answer is no. The estate, where Princess Diana grew up with her two older sisters, Lady Sarah and Lady Jane Spencer, and her brother Charles Spencer, belongs to the Spencer family and would not be part of any inheritance from King Charles. It was passed down to Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, and his son, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, will one day inherit it. That, of course, doesn't mean Prince William and Prince Harry's inheritance isn't expected to be large. But what that inheritance is and when it will come is, of course, still in flux. Recent events, however, have made the question much more prevalent. There is the BBC interview Prince Harry gave, in which he said, 'There's no point in continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff. But it would be nice to reconcile.' Then there's the fact that a few months ago, a source told News Nation Now that King Charles' health is in decline. 'Charles is indeed a sick man, and he does have cancer,' the source said. 'He also refused chemotherapy and decided on a less invasive treatment. While Harry and his dad aren't speaking, Harry would be aware of all of this via back channels.' Since then, the two sides have taken the first step towards reconciliation. King Charles and Prince Harry's senior aides held a secret meeting, considered the first big step towards resolving the feud between father and son. 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years,' said a source. That, couples with recent reports that Prince Harry reportedly invited his family to the next Invictus Games, which are set to be held in the UK in 2027 and reports that the King had factored not only Prince Harry but Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, into the heart of his funeral plans, paint a good picture for the future of the family. What that means for any inheritance, we will have to wait until the time comes to find out. Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
A Zoo in Denmark Wants to Feed Your Pets to Its Predators
A zoo in Denmark is asking pet owners to donate their animal companions — their guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and even small horses — to feed to its predators. In a Facebook post last Thursday, the Aalborg Zoo noted that it welcomed animals that, regardless of circumstance, might be nearing the end of their lives. These animals would be 'gently euthanized' by trained employees and then used as food for the zoo's predators, like its European lynx, the zoo notes on its website. Lions and tigers are also part of the zoo's predator exhibits. The donations would help the zoo mimic the natural food chain by feeding whole prey to its predators, the post said: 'This way, nothing goes to waste, and we ensure natural behavior, nutrition, and well-being for our predators.' The post linked to the zoo's website, which described the process for donating horses as food. 'Our needs vary throughout the year, and there may be a waiting list,' the site explains. For horses, certain conditions must be met, including the horse not having recently been treated for an illness. 'The horse will be delivered alive to Aalborg Zoo, where the horse will be euthanized by a zookeeper and a veterinarian and then slaughtered,' the zoo website says. The zoo also accepts chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, during weekdays 'between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., but no more than four at a time.' The Facebook post attracted swift backlash, with one commenter describing 'a terrible trend of indifference with animals in Denmark.' Another commenter wrote that 'feeding pets is absolutely unacceptable.' Aalborg Zoo did not immediately respond to request for comment. A spokeswoman for the zoo told Popular Science that 'for many years' its employees 'have fed our carnivores with smaller livestock.' Other commenters on Facebook praised the initiative and even requested more details about how to donate their animals. One described their own experience donating a rabbit as a 'super nice and professional experience.' Signe Flyvholm, who lives in Denmark and has visited Aalborg Zoo for the past 40 years, said that the social media post made her want to donate her horse. 'She could make a difference by being used as food,' Ms. Flyvholm said. 'She is a very loved horse.' Ms. Flyvholm said her horse needed to be put down because the cartilage in its hooves was turning into bone. But the horse, which weighed over 2,000 pounds, was too big for the zoo, she said. Instead, Ms. Flyvholm decided to donate her horse to a different organization that will use the animal for biofuel or fertilizer production. It's not the first time that Denmark's zoos have come under fire for their unvarnished approach to death. In 2014, the Copenhagen Zoo euthanized a healthy young giraffe named Marius because his genes were already well-represented among the captive giraffes. The zoo invited members of the public to watch the giraffe's autopsy as an educational opportunity and then fed Marius's remains to some of its big cats, including its lions. Weeks later, the zoo euthanized four of those lions: two cubs and their parents. The zoo said the lions were killed to prevent the male lion from breeding with his daughters and to prevent a newly arrived young male lion from attacking the cubs. The deaths prompted an outcry from animal rights activists but also reflected a trans-Atlantic philosophical divide toward zoo management. American zoos often lean heavily on contraception to prevent zoo populations from booming, whereas European zoos often allow their animals to breed — arguing that it is good for the animals to be able to engage in these natural behaviors — and later euthanize 'surplus' animals.
