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The Pink Stuff claims to clean almost all hard surfaces, but does it actually remove stains? We found out White Microfiber Towels
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. It should come as no surprise then, that a “miracle cleaning paste” from Stardrops, is making waves in the online cleaning community.
Whether it’s on your radar or not, 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. Water marks, rust stains, mirrors and even garage doors have faced this pink paste online with sparkling results.
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.
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 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.
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 stain a hob and then allowed milk to burn in a dish for further staining.
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 on all of the hard surfaces listed above. 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.
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.
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 Pink Stuff is mildly abrasive, so it could create small scratches on the surface.
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 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, this product was also easy to apply, just as the instructions suggest. You probably won't need it for day-to-day cleaning, but it's a cleaner you'll definitely want 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 too, priced between £1.50 and £3 – depending on where you buy it from – for an 850g tub.
Additionally, Stardrops also claims that The Pink Stuff is made of 99% natural ingredients, it isn’t tested on animals and the packaging is recyclable.
The Pink Stuff is available from Amazon, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
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.
Blossom is our Senior Homes Tester. Passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for our readers, she has tested everything from blenders to pizza ovens. Blossom enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols for hundreds of items. Innovative items like robot vacuum cleaners and wine coolers are among her favourite tests to date, and her most notable accomplishment is toasting 360 slices of bread in a determined bid to find the best toaster. In her free time, Blossom openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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