Cleaning pastes aren't a new invention. We've tested many through the years in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab and you've probably even used one to polish tarnished silver or clean a glass cooktop. Or, you may have seen your mom or grandmother apply paste wax to wood furniture or floors.
Though they take a bit more work to apply and buff away, pastes do have advantages over more convenient cleaning product forms, like liquids and sprays. And thanks to the social media buzz around The Pink Stuff, cleaning pastes are again enjoying some popularity — so I had to check out the viral product for myself.
What is The Pink Stuff?
Pros
- Cleans tough grime
- A little goes a long way
- Minimizes heavy scrubbing
Cons
- Can scratch some surfaces
- Needs thorough rinsing
Why I like it
It works well.
There 's a lot The Pink Stuff can tackle and I saw that firsthand in my testing. I used it to buff away metal cookware scrapes from my Corian kitchen sink, burned-on residue from my enameled cooktop burners and soap scum from a porcelain bathtub. I even tried it on my hard-sided suitcase to remove the sticky residue left behind by the labels the airline slapped on it, to remove black marks on the rubber trim of my white leather sneakers, to erase scuffs on the doors of our Cleaning Lab laminate cabinets and more.
In each case, it removed the offending messes quickly and without excessive rubbing or damage. It doesn't contain bleach, so the only thing it couldn't lighten for me were some sink stains that needed a bit of bleach to fully disappear.
A little goes a long way.
A quick dip or two into The Pink Stuff tub with a damp cloth or sponge is all I needed to tackle most cleaning tasks and it didn't take much paste to get the job done. I found it very easy to scoop out just the amount I needed, and because it's a paste, it stays where you put it — in other words, it's not drippy, runny or messy and is especially well suited to use on vertical surfaces, like walls, or anywhere you want to clean just an isolated spot. At only $6, this little tub is a very good value and will last you a long time.
It's versatile.
The Pink Stuff is perfect anytime you need a bit more muscle to get rid of grime other methods can't cut. I found myself walking around my house and the Lab looking for more and more surfaces to try it on and I wasn't disappointed. Sinks, appliances, tubs, grout, countertops and pretty much any hard, durable surface was fair game. It even removed old, burned-on residue from a broiler pan that a popular little smiley-faced scrubber sponge struggled with.
What could be better
It may scratch.
The Pink Stuff is somewhat abrasive which is one of the reasons it works so well. And that's also why it's important to test it on any surface you think it might damage on a corner or hidden spot first. It's not recommend for shiny surfaces and should be kept away from stainless steel appliances and finished wood. The label says to be careful using it on glass too but I didn't have any issue with that and pretty much anything else is fair game. Keep in mind that eraser sponges are abrasive too and can scratch if used too vigorously so the same caution applies here.
It's a bit gritty.
I found that after cleaning with The Pink Stuff, it took a bit of rinsing or wiping to totally remove it from the surface. Even when I thought my sink looked pristine, I noticed a bit of grit that needed another rinse to make its way down the drain. Not excessive, but another step nonetheless. One way to make The Pink Stuff easier to rinse off and less harmful to surfaces is to wet the surface first before applying. I highly recommend this step when using any abrasive cleaner or scrubber.
The label needs a little work.
Hailing from the U.K., the verbiage on the label is not exactly what we're used to here in the U.S. You'll see words like "hobs," "paintwork" and "grams." While that didn't hamper my ability to use it safely or as directed, I didn't see the typical things I look for on the cleaning product labels I review in the Cleaning Lab, like qualifiers for environmental claims, first-aid instructions or any cautionary warnings about eye and skin irritation, if they are needed at all. It did, however, boldly say to "Keep out of reach of children."
How I tested it
I tested The Pink Stuff on the typical soils and the toughest challenges I could find, both at home and in the GH Cleaning Lab. I used it in the kitchen, bathroom, on appliances and other household surfaces and items noting how effectively and easily it removed various soils, how easy it was to use and rinse away and any surface damage it left behind.
I reviewed the label for thoroughness, accuracy, environmental and ingredient claims and any safety precautions we consider necessary. I used The Pink Stuff both with and without rubber gloves to see if it irritated my skin at all. It did not.
Bottom line: Is The Pink Stuff worth it?
Absolutely! It's a great addition to any cleaning cabinet and cleans a wide variety of soils and surfaces, most with minimal effort. That's why we thought it deserved to be included it in our roundup of the best cleaning products on Amazon — and with over 155,000 five-star reviews, consumers seem to agree. You'll find your own uses for it but if you're not a fan of cleaning with a paste, The Pink Stuff also makes an entire line of creams, liquids, scrubbers and even laundry products that may be worth a try.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
