Latest news with #MrMuscle
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm the Queen of Clean & Aldi has SO many products I love – the fabric conditioner smells great & prices start from 89p
YOU don't have to spend a fortune to keep your cupboards stocked up with all the essential cleaning products. In fact, Aldi has got you covered with their huge range of cleaning staples - and even the Queen of Clean Lynsey Crombie is a fan. 3 3 The cleaning pro, who regularly features on shows like This Morning, recently took to social media to show off her favourite finds from the budget-friendly supermarket. In the viral video, Lynsey went through some of the best special buys she loves - and the prices are great if you're on a strict budget. First up, she picked up the Astonish Toilet Fresh in eucalyptus for just 89p, as well as the classic Astonish Multi-Purpose Cleaner Bleach - a must-have product for any home. Aldi even had Scrub Daddy Damp Dusters available for just £2.99, which are great for getting rid of dust from blinds, mirrors, baseboards and more. The reusable sponge just needs to rinsed under running water and it's ready to go time and time again. But one of Lynsey's top products from Aldi was the Almat Premium Fabric Conditioner. The laundry staple comes in a stunning cherry blossom scent, as well as a sea salt and driftwood scent - perfect for those who love a more traditionally feminine scent and those who like something a little more earthy. Mr Muscle Stainless Steel & Hob spray was also in the middle aisle, and for just £1.99, and a "huge" 78 wash Ariel for just £11.25. Lynsey also pointed out the Astonish Fizz & Fresh toilet bowl tablets, "I love these," she said - and for just £1.48 you can't go wrong. Other bargains include the Minky Sponge Wipes for £1.99, Astonish Multi-Surface cleaner for 89p and huge 1k bags of Soda Crystals for £1.79. I'm a cleaning whizz, using a 15p household item will make your tap shine in minutes And if you are on a budget but need to blitz your home clean, Lynsey also shared some top tips for doing it without breaking the bank. She previously told The Sun: Own brands just as good Buying big name brands can feel like the safe option when it comes to cleaning products. But Lynsey urges people to shop around and try cheaper supermarket own-brand products, which she insists are usually comparable. She says: 'You can buy an own-brand Multi Purpose Cleaner and the performance is still going to be just as good. 'So when you go down that aisle, make sure that you look for the bargains - usually on the bottom shelf. 'You can buy disinfectant for around 20p, which is just as good as a leading disinfecting brand!' Natural whitener For tough stains, or to brighten up white school shirts, Lynsey recommends putting a big scoop of bicarb into your washing machine with your usual laundry detergent. 'I've just cleaned my husband's white trainers using it and they've come up beautifully white,' she adds. Washing up liquid - not just for dishes Another of Lynsey's favourite products is good old-fashioned washing up liquid. She says: 'You can wash your bath with it, wash your shower screen with it, wash your car, floors, the list goes on. 'And, as we all know, you can get a cheap bottle of washing up liquid for 60p. 'It's so versatile. It's one product that will clean almost every surface in my house.' 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor 's Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish - simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface. Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Plumber claims vinegar and baking soda can't unblock drains but £3.65 item will
White vinegar and baking soda is a common hack used to clean out your drains, but according to this plumber, there's an even better solution to the problem deep within your drains Unblocking a drain is never at the top of a to-do list, but it's something we all have to do once in a while, and with this expert advice, it's never been easier. Drains are used on a daily basis in any home, whether it's for the shower or washing the dishes, so it's important to keep them in tip-top shape. Without even realising, small items you're washing away could be the cause of clogging up your drain and sending your plumbing into chaos. If your shower is taking longer to drain water, or you've noticed an issue with your sink, these could be signs it's time to unclog your drain. Before making the call to a plumber, there are a few simple steps you can take to save the day. On the ever-popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page, a member reached out to ask for some advise with regards to her blocked drains. They shared that after having a bath, her drain as blocked and filled with whatever that just wouldn't escape. She wrote: 'I've been drying to unblock it for a couple of days. I've used baking soda and white vinegar, Mr Muscle drain unblocker, hair removal cream and a plunger and nothing is working. Can anyone recommend anything else before we have to get a plumber out?' Group members were throwing lots of suggestions around, but the one that stood out was a timeless tool that is "superior" to any other DIY trick. A Facebook user shared that their plumber doesn't recommend any drain cleaners aside from "an old-fashioned drain snake". A plumber themselves, Steven Reader, chimed in to say: 'I've had to deal with many blocked drains as a plumber and I can assure you the white vinegar and baking soda can't unblock drains, particularly in bathrooms. You need to get yourself a drain snake. "It's far superior and works instantly. No waiting around. It will remove all the gunk, grease and hair from drains. Then you can just follow up with pouring hot water down the drain. Make sure it's not boiling, though.' Another group member added: 'I actually use a drain snake; you would be surprised how well it works.' While someone else shared: "Whenever the drain in my shower gets a bit slow, that's what I use. The amount of hair that comes up is disgusting." While you can get your hands on a drain snake from local hardware stores or online, you can nab yourself the easy-to-use tool on Temu for just £3.56. The "powerful" and "heavy-duty" tool is the ultimate unclogging solution, according to the cleaning enthusiasts, that is not only chemical-free but also easy on your bank account.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
I tested cheap supermarket drain unblockers – a £2 buy beat Mr Muscle and worked immediately
MOST households have suffered a blocked drain at some point, especially residents who have long hair or live in older homes. However, even the toughest blockages can be dissolved quickly if you pick the right drain unblocker. 10 Lynsey Hope tried a range of drain unblockers and a £2 buy won Saving you time or the cost of a plumber, most of these solutions use a mix of chemicals that can quickly break down clogs caused by hair , grease, soap and food waste and get your water flowing again. We put a range of drain cleaners to the test to find out which ones do the job and are worth your time and money. Mr Muscle Drain Gel (500ml) £3.75, 10 Mr Muscle is one of the biggest names in drain unblocking I tested this on a kitchen sink that was quite blocked with grease, food particles and washing up liquid causing it to drain quite slowly. Enter Mr Muscle, a potent formula made which is made up of caustic soda and bleach so it can dissolve fat and oils quickly. After about 15 minutes I could see it was foaming and after flushing it out with hot water, the drain was clear. It does have a very strong smell so it's best to ventilate the room whilst using it. If you are sensitive or prefer a mix that is kinder to the environment, this might not be for you. This one is very pricey, too. Most read in Money Peformance: 5/5 Value: 2/5 Overall score: 7/10 Drain Unblocker Gel by Asda (500ml) £1.88, 10 The Asda unblocker was the cheapest around An excellent price from Asda, this is the cheapest unblocker I could find. You can leave it for 15 minutes or overnight for tough blockages before rinsing away. Initially, I thought it had worked well on a clogged up bathroom sink and for a couple of days the water was flowing away quickly again. However, within a week, it appeared clogged again and I had to use a second treatment so I'm not sure it was the best value for money. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 I tried Zoflora's new carpet cleaner - it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1) Tesco Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) £2.25. 10 The Tesco drain unblocker was a solid performer The Tesco solution worked quickly, clearing a blocked sink in just 15 minutes. For tougher blockages, you could leave it overnight. The smell wasn't too overpowering and it's suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. It got the job done, quickly and easily, with minimal effort on my part. This one is also reasonably priced for the quality. Performance: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 9/10 Sink and Plughole Unblocker by Sainsbury's (500ml) - WINNER £2, 10 This £2 buy worked the best of all those tested This fast-acting formula from Sainsbury's was impressive. It's designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens and managed to unclog simple build-ups in just 15 minutes. Compared to many of the other products, it was fairly gentle on the nose and I didn't suffer any irritation after using it. My bathroom sink had been draining very slowly for some time but when I poured this in, I could see it was bubbling away and it worked. It worked just as well on kitchen sink grease as it did getting rid of hair clogs in the bathroom. A solid all-rounder, a great price, and now a must have in my cleaning cupboard. Performance: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10 Stardrops Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) £2, 10 The Stardrops cleaner was similar to winner Sainsbury's This one worked in a very similar way to the Sainsbury's unblocker and the ingredients look the same. The bottle is virtually identical in every way. It performed well, producing a satisfying gurgle as I poured it down the drain and I could see it was bubbling away. It took around an hour to clear clogs and when I left it overnight, all clogs vanished completely. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 9/10 Elbow Grease Drain Unblocker (750ml) £2, 10 Elbow Grease's unblocker didn't entirely clear the drain You get a bigger bottle here for your £2, but that didn't make the solution any more effective. It cut through standing water and quickly reached the blockage, fizzing away. It did ease the blockage but it didn't entirely clear it, even if left overnight. It's not suitable for pouring down toilets or septic tanks. The instructions recommend using half a bottle every week - I'd rather only pay out for these once in a while. Performance: 2/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 5/10 Buster Unblocker Bathroom (300ml) £4, 10 The Buster unblocker has a potent smell This Buster unblocker is specifically designed to combat common bathroom clogs including hair , soap scum, shower oils, toothpaste residue and the like. The first thing that hit me was the potent smell - it's very strong. It's also a smaller bottle, containing just 300ml fluid, so I was sceptical if there was enough to make a difference. I left it for half an hour before rinsing with hot water but the concentrated formula had worked. The drain was clear and there was no need for a second treatment. Buster also offers a money back guarantee if it doesn't get the job done. Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10 Cillit Bang Drain Hair Unblocker (1litre) £4.50, 10 Cillit Bang's popular formula was not the best value Another product designed specifically to tackle hair blockages and soap scum. It fizzed away, getting rid of hair from the shower drain, and seemed to perform ok. The clogs did reappear after a few weeks so I'm not convinced its the best value on offer, although you don't have to use the full litre each time. It's handy that you can order this one on Amazon . Performance: 3/5 Value: 2/5 Total score: 5/10 Lidl W5 Drain Cleaner Gel (1 litre) £3.09 10 Lidl's W5 cleaner was powerful but smelly Lidl 's drain cleaner is quite powerful, containing chlorine-based cleaning agents. As a result, it smells quite potent so you'll need to ventilate the room whilst using this product. It's great value for a big bottle and even half of it did a good job of clearing stubborn blockages. The chemicals and smell probably mean it's not the best eco-friendly choice but if you are struggling with blockages, this is very powerful and works a treat. Read more on the Irish Sun Incredible value - goes to show buying a big brand doesn't always mean they perform better. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10 Cleaning hacks for outside IF you want to get your garden summer ready, you'll need to check this out. ALGAE: If your fence is covered in MOSS: If moss is causing you problems, PATIO: IF your patio slabs have seen better days,
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I tested cheap supermarket drain unblockers – a £2 buy beat Mr Muscle and worked immediately
Would you use an own-brand sink unblocker? We reveal the bargain buy that beats the big brand name one Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOST households have suffered a blocked drain at some point, especially residents who have long hair or live in older homes. However, even the toughest blockages can be dissolved quickly if you pick the right drain unblocker. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Lynsey Hope tried a range of drain unblockers and a £2 buy won Saving you time or the cost of a plumber, most of these solutions use a mix of chemicals that can quickly break down clogs caused by hair, grease, soap and food waste and get your water flowing again. We put a range of drain cleaners to the test to find out which ones do the job and are worth your time and money. Mr Muscle Drain Gel (500ml) 10 Mr Muscle is one of the biggest names in drain unblocking I tested this on a kitchen sink that was quite blocked with grease, food particles and washing up liquid causing it to drain quite slowly. Enter Mr Muscle, a potent formula made which is made up of caustic soda and bleach so it can dissolve fat and oils quickly. After about 15 minutes I could see it was foaming and after flushing it out with hot water, the drain was clear. It does have a very strong smell so it's best to ventilate the room whilst using it. If you are sensitive or prefer a mix that is kinder to the environment, this might not be for you. This one is very pricey, too. Peformance: 5/5 Value: 2/5 Overall score: 7/10 Drain Unblocker Gel by Asda (500ml) 10 The Asda unblocker was the cheapest around An excellent price from Asda, this is the cheapest unblocker I could find. You can leave it for 15 minutes or overnight for tough blockages before rinsing away. Initially, I thought it had worked well on a clogged up bathroom sink and for a couple of days the water was flowing away quickly again. However, within a week, it appeared clogged again and I had to use a second treatment so I'm not sure it was the best value for money. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 I tried Zoflora's new carpet cleaner - it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1) Tesco Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) 10 The Tesco drain unblocker was a solid performer The Tesco solution worked quickly, clearing a blocked sink in just 15 minutes. For tougher blockages, you could leave it overnight. The smell wasn't too overpowering and it's suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. It got the job done, quickly and easily, with minimal effort on my part. This one is also reasonably priced for the quality. Performance: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 9/10 Sink and Plughole Unblocker by Sainsbury's (500ml) - WINNER £2, 10 This £2 buy worked the best of all those tested This fast-acting formula from Sainsbury's was impressive. It's designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens and managed to unclog simple build-ups in just 15 minutes. Compared to many of the other products, it was fairly gentle on the nose and I didn't suffer any irritation after using it. My bathroom sink had been draining very slowly for some time but when I poured this in, I could see it was bubbling away and it worked. It worked just as well on kitchen sink grease as it did getting rid of hair clogs in the bathroom. A solid all-rounder, a great price, and now a must have in my cleaning cupboard. Performance: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10 Stardrops Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) 10 The Stardrops cleaner was similar to winner Sainsbury's This one worked in a very similar way to the Sainsbury's unblocker and the ingredients look the same. The bottle is virtually identical in every way. It performed well, producing a satisfying gurgle as I poured it down the drain and I could see it was bubbling away. It took around an hour to clear clogs and when I left it overnight, all clogs vanished completely. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 9/10 Elbow Grease Drain Unblocker (750ml) £2, 10 Elbow Grease's unblocker didn't entirely clear the drain You get a bigger bottle here for your £2, but that didn't make the solution any more effective. It cut through standing water and quickly reached the blockage, fizzing away. It did ease the blockage but it didn't entirely clear it, even if left overnight. It's not suitable for pouring down toilets or septic tanks. The instructions recommend using half a bottle every week - I'd rather only pay out for these once in a while. Performance: 2/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 5/10 Buster Unblocker Bathroom (300ml) £4, 10 The Buster unblocker has a potent smell This Buster unblocker is specifically designed to combat common bathroom clogs including hair, soap scum, shower oils, toothpaste residue and the like. The first thing that hit me was the potent smell - it's very strong. It's also a smaller bottle, containing just 300ml fluid, so I was sceptical if there was enough to make a difference. I left it for half an hour before rinsing with hot water but the concentrated formula had worked. The drain was clear and there was no need for a second treatment. Buster also offers a money back guarantee if it doesn't get the job done. Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10 Cillit Bang Drain Hair Unblocker (1litre) £4.50, 10 Cillit Bang's popular formula was not the best value Another product designed specifically to tackle hair blockages and soap scum. It fizzed away, getting rid of hair from the shower drain, and seemed to perform ok. The clogs did reappear after a few weeks so I'm not convinced its the best value on offer, although you don't have to use the full litre each time. It's handy that you can order this one on Amazon. Performance: 3/5 Value: 2/5 Total score: 5/10 Lidl W5 Drain Cleaner Gel (1 litre) £3.09 10 Lidl's W5 cleaner was powerful but smelly Lidl's drain cleaner is quite powerful, containing chlorine-based cleaning agents. As a result, it smells quite potent so you'll need to ventilate the room whilst using this product. It's great value for a big bottle and even half of it did a good job of clearing stubborn blockages. The chemicals and smell probably mean it's not the best eco-friendly choice but if you are struggling with blockages, this is very powerful and works a treat. Incredible value - goes to show buying a big brand doesn't always mean they perform better. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10
The Sun
23-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
I tested cheap supermarket drain unblockers – a £2 buy beat Mr Muscle and worked immediately
MOST households have suffered a blocked drain at some point, especially residents who have long hair or live in older homes. However, even the toughest blockages can be dissolved quickly if you pick the right drain unblocker. 10 Saving you time or the cost of a plumber, most of these solutions use a mix of chemicals that can quickly break down clogs caused by hair, grease, soap and food waste and get your water flowing again. We put a range of drain cleaners to the test to find out which ones do the job and are worth your time and money. Mr Muscle Drain Gel (500ml) £3.75, I tested this on a kitchen sink that was quite blocked with grease, food particles and washing up liquid causing it to drain quite slowly. Enter Mr Muscle, a potent formula made which is made up of caustic soda and bleach so it can dissolve fat and oils quickly. After about 15 minutes I could see it was foaming and after flushing it out with hot water, the drain was clear. It does have a very strong smell so it's best to ventilate the room whilst using it. If you are sensitive or prefer a mix that is kinder to the environment, this might not be for you. This one is very pricey, too. Peformance: 5/5 Value: 2/5 Overall score: 7/10 Drain Unblocker Gel by Asda (500ml) £1.88, An excellent price from Asda, this is the cheapest unblocker I could find. You can leave it for 15 minutes or overnight for tough blockages before rinsing away. Initially, I thought it had worked well on a clogged up bathroom sink and for a couple of days the water was flowing away quickly again. However, within a week, it appeared clogged again and I had to use a second treatment so I'm not sure it was the best value for money. Performance: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 I tried Zoflora's new carpet cleaner - it works in just 30 seconds and leaves your home smelling super fresh (1) Tesco Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) £2.25. The Tesco solution worked quickly, clearing a blocked sink in just 15 minutes. For tougher blockages, you could leave it overnight. The smell wasn't too overpowering and it's suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. It got the job done, quickly and easily, with minimal effort on my part. This one is also reasonably priced for the quality. Performance: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 9/10 Sink and Plughole Unblocker by Sainsbury's (500ml) - WINNER £2, This fast-acting formula from Sainsbury's was impressive. It's designed for use in bathrooms and kitchens and managed to unclog simple build-ups in just 15 minutes. Compared to many of the other products, it was fairly gentle on the nose and I didn't suffer any irritation after using it. My bathroom sink had been draining very slowly for some time but when I poured this in, I could see it was bubbling away and it worked. It worked just as well on kitchen sink grease as it did getting rid of hair clogs in the bathroom. A solid all-rounder, a great price, and now a must have in my cleaning cupboard. Performance: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10 Stardrops Sink and Drain Unblocker (500ml) £2, This one worked in a very similar way to the Sainsbury's unblocker and the ingredients look the same. The bottle is virtually identical in every way. It performed well, producing a satisfying gurgle as I poured it down the drain and I could see it was bubbling away. It took around an hour to clear clogs and when I left it overnight, all clogs vanished completely. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Total score: 9/10 Elbow Grease Drain Unblocker (750ml) £2, You get a bigger bottle here for your £2, but that didn't make the solution any more effective. It cut through standing water and quickly reached the blockage, fizzing away. It did ease the blockage but it didn't entirely clear it, even if left overnight. It's not suitable for pouring down toilets or septic tanks. The instructions recommend using half a bottle every week - I'd rather only pay out for these once in a while. Performance: 2/5 Value: 3/5 Total score: 5/10 Buster Unblocker Bathroom (300ml) £4, This Buster unblocker is specifically designed to combat common bathroom clogs including hair, soap scum, shower oils, toothpaste residue and the like. The first thing that hit me was the potent smell - it's very strong. It's also a smaller bottle, containing just 300ml fluid, so I was sceptical if there was enough to make a difference. I left it for half an hour before rinsing with hot water but the concentrated formula had worked. The drain was clear and there was no need for a second treatment. Buster also offers a money back guarantee if it doesn't get the job done. Performance: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total score: 8/10 Cillit Bang Drain Hair Unblocker (1litre) £4.50, Another product designed specifically to tackle hair blockages and soap scum. It fizzed away, getting rid of hair from the shower drain, and seemed to perform ok. The clogs did reappear after a few weeks so I'm not convinced its the best value on offer, although you don't have to use the full litre each time. It's handy that you can order this one on Amazon. Performance: 3/5 Value: 2/5 Total score: 5/10 Lidl W5 Drain Cleaner Gel (1 litre) £3.09 Lidl's drain cleaner is quite powerful, containing chlorine-based cleaning agents. As a result, it smells quite potent so you'll need to ventilate the room whilst using this product. It's great value for a big bottle and even half of it did a good job of clearing stubborn blockages. The chemicals and smell probably mean it's not the best eco-friendly choice but if you are struggling with blockages, this is very powerful and works a treat. Incredible value - goes to show buying a big brand doesn't always mean they perform better. Performance: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10
