How to Use 'The Pink Stuff': Does This Viral Cleaning Paste Actually Work?
When it comes to daily to-do's, cleaning the house is the task that requires the most time and elbow grease — and it's certainly not fun! So when a "miracle cleaning paste" called The Pink Stuff hit the market and claimed to effortlessly and efficiently tackle messes in any part of the house, it went viral. With more than a million likes on TikTok and more than 50,000 posts on Instagram, it's safe to say this paste is buzzing all over #CleanTok and social media right now. We asked cleaning experts how to use the Pink Stuff and the obvious question: Does it live up to its miraculous reputation? Continue reading for the need-to-know info, cleaning tips and more!
What is The Pink Stuff?
The Pink Stuff is a mildly abrasive pink-colored multipurpose cleaning paste that you gently apply to stained surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge, then scrub and rinse (read more about how to use The Pink Stuff below). Stardrops, the maker of The Pink Stuff, says the paste is made from just a few ingredients: dye (for its pink hue), soap (for washing and cleaning), quartz (for the abrasive element that tackles tough messes), sodium silicate (to keep the formula together) and fragrance (for its light scent). The quartz is key to what makes The Pink Stuff so effective. It's a bit more abrasive than typical multipurpose cleaners or scrubs and therefore offers a more thorough cleaning.
You can use The Pink Stuff on a variety of materials, from dirty metal to pots and pans, electric stovetops, grout, shoes, patios, outdoor furniture and more. In recent months, Stardrops unveiled new formulations of The Pink Stuff. Now, they offer 22 variations of the cleaner that focus on different areas, and they all have slightly different ingredients (though the original paste is still the toughest on deeply stained areas, say experts). Some of the new formulations include multipurpose spray, bathroom cleaner, window and glass cleaner, toilet cleaner, floor cleaner and multipurpose "cream cleaner." The cream cleaner is similar to the paste, but it's slightly less abrasive and comes in a squeeze bottle.
How to use The Pink Stuff
According to the manufacturer's directions:
Apply the paste to the stained or dirty area using a soft cloth or a sponge.
Rub gently in circular motion before rinsing off with hot water.
Tips: Be careful not to apply too much pressure as this could lead to scratched surfaces. And if you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves when using the paste.
When we turned to cleaning pro Andrea Jean of AndreaJeanCleaning on Instagram and YouTube, she admitted that she's a fan of The Pink Stuff. "This stuff is truly remarkable," she says. "Hardly any scrubbing is needed whatsoever and your surface will look bright and shiny — it's amazing." But before you try it, she offers up this advice: "As always, make sure you pre-test a small area on your surface before fully using the paste. And if you have tougher stains and grime, don’t be afraid to let The Pink Stuff sit on the surface for a few minutes before scrubbing. This will give the cleaning agents time to work their magic and make your job much easier." For a fun step-by-step video tutorial on how to use The Pink Stuff and different ways to use it, check out Jean's video.
Why is The Pink Stuff so popular?
"The Pink Stuff has surged in popularity on social media due to its very impressive cleaning results," says cleaning expert Jennifer Rodriguez of ProHousekeepers.com. (You can get a 17-oz tub for about $5 in big-box stores.) "I'm pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness, especially on stubborn baked-on stains and grease. While it may not necessarily outperform all multisurface cleaners, its viral success is largely attributed to its remarkable results and value." Another reason experts believe it's risen in the ranks on social media: its pretty pink hue, smooth texture and pleasant scent.
What can you use The Pink Stuff on?
Tomato sauce, coffee, tea, grease, grime... "It really is versatile and suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including stovetops, ceramic tiles, glass and more," says Rodriguez. "It particularly excels at removing grease, limescale and stains, making it ideal for kitchen and bathroom surfaces."
Unexpected areas cleaning pros have used The Pink Stuff:
Doors
Inside the oven
Glass vases
Baseboards
Dirty sneakers
Outdoor furniture
Grills
Patios and outdoor walkways
Tip: To really clean surfaces like electric stovetops, pair the Pink Stuff with a Scrub Daddy. (For the step-by-step, check out this story on how to clean gas stove burners and grates.)
Related: Scrub Daddy vs. Scrub Mommy: Experts Weigh in on These Game-Changing Sponges
Where not to use The Pink Stuff
"I would not use this on freshly painted surfaces," says Jean. The paste is slightly abrasive, so it could chip or damage newly painted surfaces as well as highly polished stainless steel, finished flooring, enamel or any delicate surfaces." Rodriguez adds: "Definitely avoid using The Pink Stuff on easily scratched surfaces, such as fine china, soft plastics and any highly polished or brushed metal. It's best for tough cleaning tasks in kitchens, bathrooms and other high-traffic areas."
Is The Pink Stuff worth the hype?
With more than 100,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and a thumbs up from our cleaning experts, we'd say yes! One Amazon purchaser from Westchester, New York, says: "I figured I'd give The Pink Stuff a try after seeing reviews using it to clean stove tops. The spider grill over the most-used burners on my gas stove has burned-in grease all over the place. I’ve tried various cleansers and a lot of elbow grease with little success. The Pink Stuff with only moderate elbow grease is twice as effective!"
The verdict: All it takes is a little bit of paste and some gentle scrubbing to remove stubborn stains with ease — and its cotton-candy pink shade is an aesthetically pleasing bonus. Says Rodriguez: "Overall, this product offers very impressive cleaning results and affordability!"
For more brilliant cleaning tips and ideas, check out these stories:
How to Remove Fingerprints on Anything – Cleaning Pros Reveal Cheap + Easy Fixes
Cleaning Pro’s Genius No-Scrub Hacks to Clean Gas Stove Burners, Grates & Heads
11 Brilliant Uses For Bar Keepers Friend — Stainless Steel Is Only The Beginning
