Stop using bleach to clean toilets when £2 product works '10 times better'
A cleaning enthusiast has taken to social media to share her success in tackling stubborn limescale in the loo, a common issue caused by hard water which leaves behind minerals like calcium.
On the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Angie Ives revealed her method for removing limescale, stating: "My daughter exchanged homes and this was the loo.
"I used the black Harpic toilet cleaner and left it overnight. Gave it a gentle clean this morning, flushed and job done. No idea how a toilet bowl gets that covered in limescale, but I won't judge, the results are great."
Angie posted a before-and-after photo of the toilet, showcasing the dramatic transformation from a bowl heavily coated with brown limescale to a gleaming, limescale-free finish.
Harpic Power Plus Toilet Cleaner, also known as black Harpic, is touted as a potent toilet cleaner that not only kills 99.9 percent of bacteria but also removes limescale in just one minute.
The product boasts being "10 times better than bleach" and claims to effectively combat urine stains, dirt, rust, while also refreshing the toilet, reports the Express.
Available at various supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Ocado, the cleaner can be snapped up for as little as £1.65.
Angie's post quickly garnered over 300 likes and numerous comments from impressed fellow cleaning aficionados.
Nicki Wood asked: "Do you just use it around the rim, or did you squirt it in the actual water?".
Angie responded and stated: "I put about half the bottle around the underside of the rim, then it all went in the bowl."
Sue Quinn said: "I'm a cleaner and this is the only toilet cleaner I'll use, it's better and safer than bleach. It shifts stains in minutes. I wish they used it in public toilets."
Debbie Moulton wrote: "This is absolutely incredible, I've never seen results as good as this. Adding to my food shop."
The product boasts impressive results, but if you're on the hunt for something more natural, white vinegar can also help to shift stains, as well as coke.
Just pour some white vinegar into the water, give it a gentle brush and let it sit before flushing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Warning over common plant which can cause blindness in humans and dogs
The highly invasive species, Giant Hogweed, can cause severe burns and even blindness - even its sap, a danger to humans and pets, is a risk, and weed experts are warning the public Plant specialists are raising concerns about a widespread species that can cause horrific burns, potentially returning for years and even leading to sight loss. This extremely invasive variety poses particular dangers through its sap, which triggers photosensitivity, creating serious risks for both people and animals. Jennifer Holmes from Environment Controls has delivered a chilling alert regarding Giant Hogweed, urging utmost care around this specimen frequently discovered along riverside paths and within wooded areas. She said: "This dramatic looking plant, found along many a river path, or woodland walk, must be treated with extreme caution. Its toxic sap contains furocoumarin, which makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight and is a danger to humans and pets. Its distinctive flower heads emerge in June - and can be easily mistaken for other plants such as Cow parsley (non-toxic), Hemlock or Hemlock water dropwort (both highly toxic)." She added: "If you touch Giant Hogweed you may not notice anything immediately as the effects may take up to 24 hours to emerge, but soon large blisters will form on skin and will recur when exposed to sunlight. As well as its harmful properties, as it colonises river banks this can make it difficult to eradicate - do not try to remove it yourself, always consult an expert.", reports the Express. Giant Hogweed, scientifically termed heracleum mantegazzianum, represents an invasive, foreign plant variety included within The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. Planting this species or allowing it to spread into the wild is an offence, as it aggressively invades natural habitats. Landowners are legally responsible for controlling its growth, and failure to do so - especially if it spreads onto neighbouring properties - can result in fines or other legal consequences. Daniel Docking from Property Care Association (PCA) also emphasised the importance of public knowledge on the matter: "It is important to make the public aware of the presence of giant hogweed, and the risks associated with exposure to it," reports Manchester Evening News. He went on to stress the escalating worry: "This is a highly invasive weed that grows vigorously and its distribution and frequency is increasing over time. Every year there are reports of injuries affecting people who have come into contact with the plant, as it produces a skin reaction that is antagonised by exposure to sunlight." Agonising Recurring Blisters and Burns These aren't ordinary burns; skin affected by Giant Hogweed may develop blisters repeatedly upon sun exposure, potentially for years after the initial encounter, reports Wales Online. Blindness and Eye Damage Contact with the sap, particularly in the eyes, can lead to severe irritation, blurred or lost vision, and, in rare but serious cases, permanent blindness. This makes it especially hazardous for curious children and pets who may unknowingly come into contact with the common plant. Delayed Reaction Those who come into contact with the perilous plant may not exhibit symptoms for up to two days, often leading to unsuspecting individuals spending even more time in the sun, thereby worsening the damage. How can you identify Giant Hogweed? The PCA has provided guidance to help people distinguish the dangerous giant hogweed, which can easily be confused with Britain's native Hogweed, Cow Parsley or Hemlock plants, although these are significantly smaller and have leaves with a smoother edge. The association strongly advises against getting too close to the plant when trying to identify it. Key characteristics of giant hogweed include its height: The Giant Hogweed is an exceptionally tall biennial or perennial herbaceous plant, capable of growing over 10 feet. Flowers: It flaunts large, white, umbrella-shaped flower heads (up to 50cm wide) that resemble an oversized Cow parsley. Stem: The stems are thick, hollow, and ridged, coloured green with distinctive purple blotches and stiff, white hairs. Leaves: The leaves are large, deeply lobed, and sharply toothed, often reaching over a metre in width. What should you do if you react to Giant Hogweed? If you or your pet come into contact with the sap of Giant Hogweed, it's crucial to rinse the affected area thoroughly and immediately with soap and cold water. Make sure to keep the exposed skin out of direct sunlight for at least 48 hours. If blisters develop, or if the sap gets into the eyes, seek urgent medical care. Owing to the longevity of the Giant Hogweed's seeds and the hazard posed by its poisonous sap, professional removal is required.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Bananas will stay fresh for weeks longer when kept in one kitchen spot
A common kitchen staple, bananas are often seen in fruit bowls - but many people are still storing them in a way that sees them turn brown and bruised in a matter of days Bananas are a kitchen essential, frequently spotted in fruit bowls, perfect for breakfast smoothies or quick post-workout snacks. Yet they're notorious for their brief shelf life, transforming from yellow to brown and mushy seemingly overnight. Despite their widespread appeal, countless households continue to store them incorrectly, inadvertently speeding up the rotting process. Conventionally, most people avoid refrigerating bananas, convinced that chilly temperatures would result in them turning black quickly and destroy the fruit. Nevertheless, one inquisitive food blogger conducted a viral TikTok trial that could challenge this belief. It comes after an alert for UK households buying strawberries or blueberries at Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S Camilla, who runs is revolutionising our understanding of banana preservation. In her widely-watched clip, she admitted: "It appears I may have been living a lie my entire life. I was always told that you can't keep bananas in the fridge because they go black." A suggestion from her daughter's university pals inspired her to put the refrigeration theory to the test, reports the Express. Camilla revealed: "Last week my daughter told me that all her university mates keep their bananas in the fridge, so I kept these bananas in the fridge for four whole days once they [were] ripe." The outcome astonished her, as instead of the squishy, overripe mess she anticipated, the bananas stayed firm, golden and completely edible. "You learn something new every day," she observed, stripping away slightly darkened skin to unveil vibrant, fresh fruit beneath. In a subsequent remark, she expressed: "I can't tell you how shocked I am," and confirmed that refrigerating bananas "definitely extends their life." The science behind this trick is that while the banana peels may darken in the fridge over time, the fruit inside stays yellow, firm, and sweet - often for up to two weeks after ripening. The trick is to only refrigerate bananas once they've turned yellow, as green bananas won't ripen in the cold - so ensure they have some time on the counter first. Refrigeration also aids by separating bananas from other fruits. In a typical fruit bowl, ethylene gas - naturally released by many fruits - can cause bananas to over-ripen quickly. The cool environment and separation in the fridge slow this process significantly.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Woman ditches 10,000 steps a day for Japanese walking and has never been fitter
Japanese walking, also known as the '3-3 walking workout', was developed by two professors in Japan and offers a different approach to step counting and fitness In today's world, the obsession with counting steps has become more prevalent than ever. With our smartphones and wearable tech tracking every move we make - from the number of stairs we climb to the calories we burn - the once niche practice of step counting has now become a part of our daily routines. However, while many are striving to hit their target of 10,000 or even 20,000 steps a day, others are choosing to step away from this trend and explore new methods. Amy Glover, a writer for HuffPost UK, shared her personal experience. Despite being an avid runner and frequent gym visitor, she found it challenging to consistently reach the 10k daily step goal. The demands of working from home made it even more difficult to fit in long walks after work or during lunch breaks. But everything changed when Glover stumbled upon the Japanese walking trend, also known as the '3-3 walking workout. ', reports the Express. This method, developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan, applies the principles of interval training to everyday walking. Unlike traditional step goals that focus solely on distance, the Japanese walking method emphasises intensity and structure. The routine is straightforward - walk briskly for three minutes, then slow down for three minutes. This cycle is repeated five times, totalling 30 minutes. The approach isn't just about quantity but about varying pace and effort in a way that maximises cardiovascular benefit. A groundbreaking study conducted in 2007 by the creators of the method found that middle-aged participants who adopted the Japanese walking technique saw a decrease in blood pressure, stronger thigh muscles and improved aerobic capacity compared to those who didn't walk or walked at a moderate pace for similar durations. For Glover - and many others - the attraction is both efficiency and enjoyment. After taking up Japanese walking, her average daily step count actually increased to over 8,000 despite spending less time on her feet. She notes that the interval structure makes walks feel shorter and more engaging; knowing a session will last just half an hour removes mental barriers to getting started. The psychological shift is significant: "I walk more often and enjoy it more," says Glover. "The three-minute-on, three-minute-off approach makes exercise go by much faster." Scientific research indicates that any form of consistent moderate-intensity walking can offer substantial benefits for cardiovascular and mental health, and regular movement helps maintain a healthy weight while strengthening muscles and bones - a crucial factor in preventing osteoporosis and preserving mobility as we age. While many fitness fads come and go, Japanese walking's blend of scientific backing and real-world accessibility suggests it may have lasting appeal. For those who find traditional step goals challenging or are looking for a more effective way to maintain their health, particularly during hectic work-from-home routines, this approach provides a feasible route to enhanced wellbeing.
