Do VIRAL CLEANING HACKS really work?

Natasha Harding put some weird and wonderful TikTok tips to the test, with surprising results

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Like many women, I work and also have a family and home to look after. I do enough to keep the house clean and tidy - and I use products that get the job done as quickly as possible. I just about stay on top of the laundry, and ensure that the kitchen and bathroom are clean (ish). However, there are certain jobs that stay on my to-do list for a long time. So recently, when I started seeing viral cleaning hacks pop up on TikTok, claiming to save me time and provide incredible results, I was drawn in. Could TikTok really hold the answer to my cleaning woes? I put a few to the test...

The problem

AIR FRYER

I am an air fryer addict and use ours daily. I am very conscious of rinsing it out after every use, especially as there have been reports they've contributed to kitchen fires. But my husband, Paul, isn't so diligent at cleaning the basket! I usually fix the mess with hot water, a generous squirt of washing-up liquid and elbow grease.

THE HACK A dishwasher tablet is the answer, says a woman on TikTok. So I fill the basket with boiling water and a dishwasher tablet and leave for 30 minutes.

THE VERDICT While the tablet lifted dried-on food from the bottom of the basket, it wasn't any better than my way of cleaning - it took longer and it's a far pricier option.

The problem

TOILET

My loo needs some TLC and I've tried all manner of conventional cleaning products to get rid of the build-up of limescale at the bottom of the bowl, all to no avail. Surely something must work!

THE HACK Apparently, that something is denture-cleaning tablets. So I drop a couple into the toilet bowl, leave them to fizz for 30 minutes and give it a scrub.