Woman's clever 22p hack 'keeps bathroom smelling fresh for weeks'

Your bathroom might be harbouring a stench for various reason - from the mould and mildew that love damp conditions to unpleasant drains.

However, there's a simple ingredient that could be your saviour. No matter how much elbow grease you put into keeping your loo spotless, some odours just stick around. But one cleaner has let slip that you can keep your bathroom "smelling fresh for weeks," while also blitzing bacteria, all thanks to a 22p trick.

While bathroom cleaners can often hit your wallet hard, online cleaning guru Donna Mendoza, aka The Cleaning Lady, reckons you don't need to splash the cash. In a TikTok revelation, Donna demonstrated that laundry capsules can tackle grimy surfaces just as effectively as pricier bathroom potions - and they leave a lovely scent too.

READ MORE: Sky free trial: Get TV, Stream box, and Netflix for £0 in eye-catching deal

In her latest viral clip, Donna showed her followers that she starts by dissolving a pod in a bowl of hot water, sometimes using a fork to speed up the process. Once it's fully melted, the clever cleaner tips some of the solution into the toilet brush holder.

She then pours the rest into the loo, boasting that this nifty move "keeps your bathroom smelling fresh for weeks". Laundry pods are typically tossed straight into the washing machine, where they dissolve during the cycle to lift off dirt. The clever trick not only keeps your bathroom smelling fresh, but it's also incredibly cost-effective. For instance, Tesco is offering a pack of 51 Fairy Non-Biological Pods for £12, which comes to just 23p per load.

Meanwhile, at Ocado, you can snag Ariel Colour All-in-1 Pods Washing Liquid Capsules 5 Washes for a mere £11, equating to 22p per pod. Consumer experts at Which? have previously delved into the possibility of using laundry detergent for cleaning more than just garments and stumbled upon some fantastic findings.

In an experiment, Which? concocted a mixture of laundry detergent and water in a spray bottle and achieved "a fair level of success" in tackling "visible food spills, toothpaste and soapscum". However, it's important to note that most laundry detergents are not disinfectants, meaning they won't kill all germs.

During their evaluation, they discovered that one application they would definitely recommend for laundry detergent is cleaning upholstery. They remarked: "We were very impressed by using detergent to clean sofas. But again you have to be careful that it doesn't react badly with the material, and it's vital to take care not to oversoak your settee."

Tehey suggested using half a teaspoon of detergent mixed with a litre or two of warm water and sponge to tackle dirty spots. They claim this method will "help to get rid of marks, freshen up your upholstery and leave a fresh smell with no trace of any sticky residue".

However, the experts cautioned that before attempting this trick, ensure the detergent won't damage what you're cleaning since it's not being used as designed.