Can one cleaning product really do it all?
In case you haven't heard of it, The Pink Stuff claims to be able to shift stains from almost all hard surfaces. It’s gained a loyal online following and people have been flooding to Instagram and TikTok to share the successes they’ve had using the product. This pink paste has tackled water marks, rust stains, mirrors and even garage doors online – with sparkling results.
The majority of us don’t clean for fun, so naturally we’re always on the lookout for products that will make life easier and cut down on the amount of precious time we spend scrubbing. And it's no surprise that the “miracle cleaning paste” from Stardrops, is making waves in the online cleaning community.
But does the reality live up to its promise? Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute decided to find out — here’s what they thought when they put it to the test.
What is The Pink Stuff?
The Pink Stuff is a paste cleaner. You apply it to surfaces using a soft cloth or sponge and, after rubbing it over the stained part of the surface, it can be rinsed off with cold water. To complete the cleaning process, you'll then need to polish the surface with a clean, dry cloth.
Stardrops claims it's ideal for removing rust and discolouration from metal surfaces and banishing stubborn marks from hard surfaces. But the list of potential uses is endless, from cleaning saucepans to barbecues and tiles.
GHI Tip: The Pink Stuff is a mildly abrasive paste, so it could leave tiny scratch marks on some more delicate surfaces. If in doubt, test first in an inconspicuous area before using.
How we tested The Pink Stuff
Before testing The Pink Stuff we went about the messy business of creating stains to use the product on. We used coffee, tea, grease and tomato sauce to stain a stainless-steel sink over the course of 12 hours. We also heated up milk and sugar to dirty a hob and allowed milk to burn in a dish.
To test the product's bathroom cleaning capabilities, we smeared a glass shower door with shampoo and shower gel, then left it to dry over 24 hours. We also filled a bath with baby oil and bubbles. When it came to flooring, we stained ceramic tiles and grouting with tomato sauce and cooking oil overnight.
Once we’d created the stains, we used The Pink Stuff to remove them. Our cleaning expert used a scoop of the paste on a cloth or sponge to clean each surface, leaving it to work for about 10 minutes on grimier spots, such as the burnt dish. Then, they washed the paste away with hot water and took note of how much of the staining remained.
Does The Pink Stuff remove stains?
If it’s a quick answer you’re looking for, then it’s a resounding “yes” from us. From limescale in the tub to stained pans in the kitchen, The Pink Stuff showed excellent cleaning power. In fact, it scored a very impressive 10/11 in our burnt dish performance test, removing scorch marks and making our tester’s pan look “as good as new”. But before we declare it a must-have household cleaning staple, there are a couple of caveats to discuss.
The product did leave a thin film on kitchen work surfaces, which some people may be less keen on. Also, compared to cleaning sprays, our testers found it slightly messier to use, particularly when tackling a greasy hob.
Overall, however, this is an effective multi-purpose cleaner that scored 81/100 and works well on a range of hard surfaces, taking serious stains in its stride.
Can you use The Pink Stuff on ovens?
We have good news for you; you can use The Pink Stuff to tackle even the most stubborn oven stains. During testing, it really came into its own when removing burnt tomato pieces.
Our experts also noted that it cleaned the hob perfectly, leaving “a streak-free shine”. Just be sure to do a small patch test inside the oven before use as the product is mildly abrasive, so it could create small scratches on the surface.
Can you use The Pink Stuff on carpets?
Unfortunately, you can’t use The Pink Stuff on carpets. This cleaning paste is mildly abrasive and designed for hard surfaces, so you’re at risk of damaging your carpet or rug if you use it on fabric floor stains.
The GHI verdict
The Pink Stuff is worth the hype. It performed brilliantly, removing dirt and marks from all of the surfaces we tried it out on. Despite being a little more messy than your average stain-removal spray, it's easy to apply, just as the instructions suggest. You probably won't need it for day-to-day cleaning, but you'll definitely want it around when a stain strikes.
The fact that you can use it on multiple surfaces also means you won't need to invest in as many different products. Plus, it’s good value, priced at £6 for an 850g tub.
Additionally, Stardrops claims that The Pink Stuff is made of 99% natural ingredients and isn’t tested on animals, while the packaging is recyclable.
GHI tip: You can create a homemade abrasive cleaning paste using bicarbonate of soda and water, using it to clean anything from burnt pans to sinks and kitchen counters.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We've been testing cleaning products for 100 years here at the GHI, so we know what makes a good (and a bad) one. Our team of experts is headed up by homes manager Blossom Boothroyd. She creates rigorous protocols, so we test products as you would use them at home, so you can be sure they're up to the job.
Our content team, headed up by homes editor Hannah Mendelsohn, then writes up the reviews, drawing on their industry expertise to answer all your questions and highlight the need-to-know information.
The Pink Stuff is available from Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
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