When tackling daily and weekly chores, wouldn't we all like something to help minimise the elbow grease? Who knew that such a product could be found in the dental aisle?
Of all the expert-recommended cleaning hacks, we always favour effective methods that use budget household items. Surprisingly, these hero cleaning agents not only get the best results but also save money and avoid harsh chemicals. One such product is denture tablets, which can be found for less than £1.
7 things you can clean with denture tablets for better results
Knowing a few of the greatest household cleaning tips to keep your home looking its best can make such a difference in how regularly you need to tackle the big clean. It's also extremely handy being in the know of the latest budget cleaning hacks, especially when they're as cheap as denture tablets.
We put it to our cleaning experts to share their favourite things around the house to clean with denture tablets and here's what they recommend...
1. Removing tea and coffee stains
As a caffeine addict, you may have mastered the art of removing tea and coffee stains from around your home, but stained mugs are often overlooked.
"Fill any stained mugs or tea/coffee pots with warm water and drop in one tablet, then wait 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly- they’ll look good as new!" instructs Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at Smol.
Having worked for the cleaning brand Smol since its creation, Catherine has tested each and every product before its release. She is also involved with the production team's process and provides feedback for the development of the company's products.
2. Cleaning the toilet bowl
Cleaning your bathroom is no doubt on the list of your least-liked household chores, with cleaning toilet stains probably at the number one spot. So this quick and easy expert hack using a denture tablet might just end up being your most used one yet.
Catherine explains her method, saying, "Simply drop two to three denture tablets in your toilet bowl before bed. Then wake up and give it a quick brush before flushing."
This should leave your bowl sparkling clean and is a great alternative to using bleach or other harsh chemicals.
3. Make your shower head sparkle
Keeping to the bathroom, cleaning a shower head can also be a rather tricky task if you live in a hard water area or have left it particularly long.
"Start by filling a plastic bag with warm water and add two tablets to it. Then secure the bag around your shower head with a rubber band ensuring the shower head is submerged in the solution," advises Catherine.
You need to leave this overnight, then in the morning remove the bag and rinse the shower head.
4. De-grease your extractor hood filter
Grease can be a real issue in the kitchen and of course, the longer you leave it uncleaned the more grease will build up, making it all that more difficult to finally get rid of. Just as you regularly clean your oven trays to remove burnt-on food or clean grease off kitchen cabinets, your extractor fan needs the same amount of attention.
"Denture tablets are amazing at breaking down grease and grime," says Lynsey Crombie, the UK's leading cleaning expert. "Soak the filters in hot water with a few tablets and watch the grease disappear."
"The fizzing action from the tablets along with the hot water loosens hidden grease and breaks it down making it easier to clean, and soak for roughly 15 minutes, longer if needed," she adds.
Lynsey also points out that you might need to follow this with a gentle scrub using a non-abrasive sponge but the tablets will do most of the work.
Lynsey is the UK’s leading home expert, specialising in all things related to cleaning, organising, and home management. She is the author of Queen of Clean 15-Minute Clean: The Quickest Way To A Sparkling Home. A familiar face on popular shows like This Morning and Good Morning Britain, Lynsey is a go-to resident cleaning expert.
5. Cleaning narrow vases
Not only can they clean awkward-shaped vases, but Lynsey also recommends using denture tablets to make your cut flowers last longer.
"Remove grime from narrow vases by adding a tablet and warm water," says Lyndsey. This is especially useful if you have a vase with a really narrow neck that's hard to get a sponge and your hand through.
6. Soaking dishes and tupperware
If you have particularly grimy dishes or oily-stained Tupperware, then Lynsey recommends using a denture tablet to tackle cleaning them. She recommends soaking them in warm water with the dissolved tablet and leaving them to work for a while. Then go in as usual and scrub away the rest of the grime.
8. Use as a Multi-purpose cleaner
Denture tablets can also be used more generally, from helping clean grease off your kitchen cabinets to giving your bath a deeper clean. The best way to do this? Dissolve the tablets to create your own multi-purpose spray.
Lynsey shares this hack on her Instagram @lynsey_queenofclean. She recommends dissolving a few tablets into a spray bottle filled with water and giving it a gentle shake until all the solution is combined.
Just be careful what surfaces you spray on, as the bicarbonate in the tablets may be too abrasive on softer materials.
FAQs
Why are denture tablets so effective for cleaning?
When you're trying to clean your home like a professional, you probably don't think to use denture tablets straight away. And whilst they are a rather unorthodox cleaning agent, there's a reason the experts recommend them for so many tasks.
"Denture tablets are made up of ingredients that fizz and foam, making them super effective at lifting away stains and breaking down dirt. Ingredients like bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, surfactants, enzymes and oxygen bleach have various roles to play - such as dissolving grease and dirt whilst also disinfecting," says Catherine.
"The fizzing action gets into all those hard-to-reach places and helps to lift off dirt and residue; they're gentle enough for dentures but tough enough for bigger cleaning jobs," she adds.
What should you not clean with denture tablets?
Although experts recommend cleaning with denture tablets, they do warn against using them on certain surfaces that could be potentially damaged.
Catherine says, "You should avoid cleaning some materials with denture tablets. For example, natural stone surfaces (like marble or granite), to the fizzing action can etch and damage these delicate surfaces, leaving permanent marks or dull patches. It's not worth the risk as things made of these materials can often be expensive."
She also points out that while tablets can bring back the sparkle on some materials, they can damage precious metals like silver, gold and platinum. Catherine adds, "Avoid using them on your jewellery; the cleaning agents can sometimes cause discolouration or even corrode them."
Denture tablets can be a great tool when you want to deep clean your home without having to put too much effort and time into. Their abrasive cleaning power can make a rather painful cleaning a little easier.
