Cleaning boring? Not when you see the viral TikTok cleaning tips go by! Recently, certain cleaning products have become true internet hypes – you see them everywhere on social media with promises of effortless results. But do these viral TikTok cleaning products really work, or is it mostly clever marketing and nice filters? In this blog, we take a closer look at three of the most popular hits: The Pink Stuff cleaning paste, the iconic Scrub Daddy sponge, and the wonderfully scented Fabulosa cleaners. We tested them (yes, in our own kitchen and bathroom) and share an honest review. What is hype, and what is actually the best cleaning product for the job? You’ll read it here – no paid promotion, just real talk. In short: does it really work or not?
Grab a cup of coffee (or cleaning cloth, if you get inspired halfway) and dive with us into the world of #CleanTok trends. We look at each product’s promises, how it performs in practice, and for which applications it’s a hit or a disappointment. Oven cleaning, scrubbing the toilet, making the countertop shine, or making your house smell nice – these products come in handy everywhere. Let’s go!
The Pink Stuff – miraculous pink paste or hot air?
We start with perhaps the product that kicked off the viral cleaning craze: The Pink Stuff. This bright pink cleaning paste in a jar popped up everywhere. In TikTok videos, you saw people cleaning baked-on ovens in no time with this wonder product. The Pink Stuff is a thick, mildly abrasive paste that you apply with a sponge or cloth on stains, let sit briefly, then rub off and rinse. It claims to remove stubborn dirt “with ease,” and on various surfaces.
What do you use it for? Well, almost everything, if we believe the community. And to be fair, it’s versatile stuff. We tested it on:
- The oven and baking trays: Oven baked-on grease and black burnt sugar? The Pink Stuff removed about 90%. We applied the paste on the glass oven door and baking tray, let it sit ~10 minutes, and scrubbed with a Scrub Daddy. And yes: burnt residues came off and the oven glass became clear again. Not entirely effortless (you do have to scrub a bit), but much easier than with regular oven cleaner that almost makes you choke on the fumes. Plus: The Pink Stuff is non-toxic and smells neutral, much nicer to work with than oven cleaner spray.
- Bathroom tiles and grout: The paste also works well against limescale on taps and tiles. We applied it on grout and scrubbed with an old brush – result: visibly lighter grout, although for heavy mold spots you might need a special grout product. For limescale on taps it’s great; apply, rub a bit, and the white haze disappears. Be careful: The Pink Stuff is mildly abrasive, so polish gently on high-gloss chrome or soft plastic (don’t press too hard) or you might cause scratches.
- Pans and stovetop: Burnt pan bottom? Pink Stuff to the rescue. We tested it on a stainless steel pan with brown burnt spots: rub in, let sit, scrub with dish brush – and indeed, the stains were 80% gone, the rest completely clean after a second scrub. For glass ceramic stovetops it’s tricky (mildly abrasive, so can scratch glass), we didn’t dare try. But stainless steel and enamel stoves work fine with it.
- Other uses: People even use it on sneakers (especially white soles) – just rub in and wipe, and your sneakers brighten up. We tested on a yellowed plastic garden chair: there was a difference, though it took more rubbing. It can remove rust stains from steel (not stainless steel), and even deposits on ceramic sinks. It’s really a “rub anywhere there’s a stain and see what happens” product. In most cases: positive results!
Final verdict: The Pink Stuff is worth the hype. It really works well on burnt and baked-on dirt, and is extremely versatile in and around the house. The claim “wonder product” might be a bit exaggerated, because you still have to apply some effort, but we were impressed. A big advantage is that it’s environmentally friendly and non-toxic, so you can safely clean your countertop with it (rinse well, of course). The paste lasts a long time because you only need a little each time. Downsides: it’s not a spray, so impractical for large surfaces (whole floor, for example). Also, the mild abrasive property requires caution on delicate materials. But use it for oven, pans, sink, tile grout and you’ll see why #thepinkstuff has millions of views. It’s a keeper in our cleaning cabinet. Combined with a Scrub Daddy sponge it’s a golden duo: one brings chemistry, the other mechanical power, and together they defeat dirt. Does it really work? Yes – The Pink Stuff delivers on its promise on many fronts!
Scrub Daddy – smiling sponge that cleans seriously
Moving on to the next star: Scrub Daddy. This yellow, smiling sponge became famous after an appearance on Shark Tank in the US and then conquered the hearts of cleaning lovers internationally. On TikTok you often see videos where Scrub Daddy is used to clean baked-on pans, make dirty sinks shine, or even scrub vegetables clean. Its face shape and especially the material (FlexTexture) make it unique.
What makes Scrub Daddy special? As mentioned earlier, the texture of this sponge changes depending on the water temperature. In cold water it’s hard and abrasive, in warm water soft and absorbent. This means one and the same sponge can both scrub and gently wash. We tested this, of course: in a tub of ice water the sponge became noticeably firmer, perfect to tackle that baked-on oven dish. In warm soapy water it softened and you can wash glasses without scratching. That feature is not gimmicky, it really works.
The smiling face also has functionality: the “mouth” opening can be used to clean spoons and forks – both sides clean at once. The curves of the “eyes” give you grip to clean inside a glass, for example. Cleverly designed! In practice you notice that shape is actually handy and not just cute.
How does Scrub Daddy perform on different tasks?
- Scrubbing pots and pans: In cold (or just cool) water Scrub Daddy can handle quite a bit. We scrubbed a pan with baked-on sauce residues and it came off without needing steel wool. The material is scratch-free on Teflon and stainless steel, which is great – something steel wool or regular scouring pads aren’t always. Note, very stubborn stuff still requires some elbow grease, but Scrub Daddy definitely helps.
- Bathroom & tiles: Also used on bathroom tiles (together with The Pink Stuff), worked well. It feels good in the hand and you can reach corners a bit with those rounded edges. Because it’s not too big, you can scrub targeted without making a mess.
- Dishwashing and daily cleaning: Here it shines in warm water. It’s actually nicer to wash dishes with a sponge that has just the right softness and doesn’t scratch non-stick coatings. Also, maybe the biggest advantage: it does not hold odors and dries quickly. Many scouring pads smell musty after a week, Scrub Daddy does not. We deliberately left it a few days after use – it became rock hard when dry (no moisture = no bacteria growth), and when reused just wet it and hop, flexible again. No bad smell. That alone makes it worth the money.
- Durability: We’ve been using it intensively for a few weeks and it hasn’t fallen apart yet, just some discoloration. According to the manufacturer it lasts up to 2 months without odor or crumbling. That still needs to be proven in practice, but looks promising. It’s a bit more expensive than a standard sponge, but if you enjoy it for a few months that’s fine.
Conclusion: Scrub Daddy is not just hype; it’s an example of a product that went viral because it’s really handy. The fun factor of the smiley face makes cleaning a bit more enjoyable (yes really, seeing a smile back from your suds is quite funny), but the performance matches. We especially recommend it for anyone tired of sponges that stink or scratch. There are now also variants like Scrub Mommy (one side sponge, other side foam), Eraser Daddy (with eraser side for pencil marks etc.), but the classic Scrub Daddy itself is already a winner. Whether you have baked-on oven dishes or just want to wash some plates, it can do both. This viral product gets a big 👍 from us and is now indispensable in our cleaning routine.
Fabulosa – fresh scents and cleaning power, or mostly hype?
Finally the Fabulosa cleaning products. Fabulosa is a British brand known for its affordable cleaning agents in all kinds of delightful scents. Think all-purpose cleaners, disinfectant sprays, laundry perfumes, and air fresheners. On TikTok you often see “Clean with me” videos where people clean their house and finish with a Fabulosa scent, or tips to make your toilet smell nice with Fabulosa room sprays (yes, there is even a “Spray & Go toilet spray” that went viral).
We tried a few Fabulosa products to see: does it not only smell nice, but also clean well? Examined:
- Fabulosa All-Purpose Cleaner Spray (Lemon Lavender scent): This is a classic multi-surface cleaner in a spray bottle. We used it on the kitchen countertop, dining table, and bathroom sink. Result: nicely clean, grease and soap residues gone, and especially that scent… divine! Smelling wonderfully fresh is really the selling point here. Lemon Lavender made the kitchen smell like we had lit a luxury scented candle – no joke. Cleaning-wise it was on par with Ajax or Mr Proper. An advantage is that Fabulosa’s formulas are usually also disinfecting (99.9% bacteria gone). And the price is soft, especially compared to A-brands, because Fabulosa focuses on budget-friendly. Final verdict: not just hype, this is a keeper for daily cleaning sessions.
- Fabulosa Laundry Perfume (Twilight Bouquet): Okay, something different than cleaning, but viral nonetheless: adding laundry perfume to your wash routine. We added a cap of Twilight Bouquet to the wash (in the fabric softener compartment). The laundry smelled intensely nice and long-lasting afterwards. Really like spraying expensive perfume on your clothes, but already off the line. Speaking of hype: on TikTok people swear their bedding still smells like “Twilight Bouquet” days later, and we can confirm that. It adds no cleaning power, it’s purely scent. So as a cleaning product you could say: basically a luxury extra. But a lovely one – if you like scented laundry, this is top. And compared to expensive laundry perfumes, Fabulosa is affordable and available in many scents.
- Fabulosa Disinfecting Concentrate (Bicarb variant): This is a concentrated cleaner you can dilute, with baking soda (“Bicarb”) inside for extra effect. We tried this in the kitchen on the stove and extractor hood where there were grease splatters. According to instructions, let it work briefly and wipe off. Our experience: yes, it removed grease, comparable to Dasty (well-known degreaser), but smelled much nicer. It foamed lightly and left no streaks. As a degreaser it works, and you can also dilute it for floor or bathroom mopping, for example. Hype factor: medium – it just does what it should, only with a scent and a nice color. It makes cleaning more fun when you get that floral or fruity scent. Many TikTokkers show their own mixes (e.g. Fabulosa + warm water in a spray bottle as all-round spray). That makes sense: you get a lot of cleaning fun for little money.
- “Spray & Wear” fabric refresher: Also a notable trend: freshening your clothes or curtains without washing, by spraying them. Fabulosa also has products for this (that even kill bacteria causing odors). We tested a jacket that smelled like food; sprayed with Fabulosa Fresh Breeze spray. After drying the jacket smelled much better – fresh scent, no more mustiness. Handy! Be careful not to spray too much to avoid stains; misting from a distance is the advice.
All in all: Fabulosa may have become a hype thanks to TikTok, but the products themselves do not disappoint. They clean well (comparable to regular brands) and add a strong scent element, which many people greatly appreciate. It’s like having cleaner and air freshener in one. Of course, if you are very scent-sensitive or prefer neutral cleaning, this is not for you. But we understand the hype: cleaning really becomes more fun when you are rewarded with a lovely scent during and after the job. And given the price and cruelty-free status, we are fans. Best uses: countertops, floors, bathroom surfaces, and basically anywhere you wipe daily. Fabulosa may not be revolutionary in cleaning power – it’s not better at cleaning than something else – but the #FabulosaFeeling (as they call it on socials) is real: you get that “I really cleaned well” feeling partly because you smell and see it (shiny and fragrant). Psychology or not, it’s motivating. So as far as we’re concerned: not pure hype, but a valuable addition to your cleaning stash. We say: try an all-purpose cleaner or laundry perfume from Fabulosa and see for yourself if your team becomes “fragrant cleaning”.
Does it really work, or is it hype? Our final verdict
We tested and sampled three top viral cleaning products (figuratively) and can conclude: many of these products are popular for a reason. Of course social media plays a role in inflating expectations – a short sped-up TikTok video makes it look like an oven melts clean by itself under The Pink Stuff, or that a Scrub Daddy magically dissolves baked-on dirt. In reality, you still have to roll up your sleeves. But these aids really make the chore much easier and more fun:
- The Pink Stuff: Does it really work? Yes, largely. It’s not a magic wand, but a powerful tool for many tough cleaning jobs. What was hype (someone wiping an oven door clean with one finger) is exaggerated, but the core is true: Pink Stuff is a top product for stubborn dirt.
- Scrub Daddy sponge: Does it really work? Absolutely. This is one of those gadgets that is here to stay. The hype has long turned into a solid reputation – millions of sponges sold worldwide – and rightly so. You can now even find it in Dutch stores like Action, showing how mainstream useful it has become. No gimmick, but genuinely handy.
- Fabulosa products: Do they really work? Yes, in the sense that they do what any cleaner does: clean. The extra layer is the scent experience, and that works for many people as motivating and enjoyable. So no revolutionary cleaning tech, but a gamechanger for your senses while cleaning. The hype here is mostly: “wow it smells so nice, I want to clean everything!”. Well, if that makes us clean more often, who’s complaining? 😄
You might have expected us to expose a flop – a product that’s mostly marketing and can’t do anything. But honestly, we found no real disappointments in our test. The only caveat we give is: know the limits of each product. Pink Stuff is not for delicate surfaces. Scrub Daddy can do a lot, but not sandpaper (so very heavily baked-on ovens still benefit from a wire brush or soaking). Fabulosa is great for scent and normal cleaning, but for heavy limescale you might still need a stronger acid (like vinegar or anti-limescale). See these viral products as tools to make life easier, not as miracle cures that fix everything without effort.
For us, they definitely make the cleaning routine much nicer. We caught ourselves looking forward to “tackling that dirty pan with The Pink Stuff” or “doing laundry so we can smell that lovely laundry perfume”. Sounds silly, but hey, if something goes viral because it makes household chores bearable – even fun – we applaud that. And apparently we’re not alone: on Instagram and TikTok cleanfluencers and regular users share their experiences, tips, and new finds daily in cleaning. It’s contagious.
Want to try too? If you’re curious about these products, you can of course try them yourself. In our webshop you’ll find all three mentioned top products and more. Want to see with your own eyes if your oven shines again with The Pink Stuff? Or how a Scrub Daddy does on your baked-on grill pan? Or are you ready for a wonderfully scented cleaning session with Fabulosa Electric Rhubarb (yes, that scent exists and is amazing)? Go for it! Nothing as satisfying as testing yourself and seeing results. We bet you won’t be disappointed – and maybe you’ll become a fan like us.
So are viral cleaning products worth the hype? As far as we’re concerned, mostly yes. They bring innovation and fun to a world that used to be quite boring (housekeeping). And if something motivates you to clean with pleasure, that’s worth gold, right? We will definitely keep following trends and testing new cleaning hits. Because who knows what TikTok will serve us next year – the era of boring suds is over, cleaning has become a trend in itself!