'I tried popular 4p bathroom cleaning hack - but gave up halfway through'

When it comes to tasks, bathroom cleaning is usually one of the most disliked. Therefore, many people search for hacks that'll make the job easier, and if they're budget-friendly, that's even better.

One hack that has been doing the rounds recently uses something most people already have in their - a teabag. Nigel Bearman, founder of domestic cleaning service Daily Poppins, claims that it's possible to clean your entire bathroom with a single tea bag, which puts the cost at roughly 4p.

Not only is this a budget-friendly option, it means householders can cut down on dangerous chemical cleaners, and you're reusing something that would normally go to waste.

"The next time you make yourself a cup of tea, don't throw away your used tea bag" Nigel said. "Let the tea bag cool down on the side whilst you enjoy your brew. You can then use it on your shower screens, taps and even your toilet for a streak-free shine."

The science behind it is to do with tannins, an organic substance found in teabags. Tannins have antibacterial properties and can cut through grease, dirt, grime and oily residue, making them ideal for grubby bathrooms.

"The tannins work to dissolve grease and lift dirt, leaving your surfaces streak-free and sparkling. It's an easy, eco-friendly way to maintain spotless areas without relying on any harsh chemicals," Nigel explained.

He gave a simple method - rub the damp tea bag over any affected areas to lift the dirt and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

"It's that easy," Nigel said. So, does it work?

Reporter Phoebe Jobling decided to tackle her bathroom grime using just a teabag from her morning cuppa.

Phoebe said: "My Saturday morning always starts with a brew, but this weekend's cuppa went down a little differently. After brewing my cup of tea, I set the tea bag aside and left it to cool as I'd be coming back later to make use of it in my bathroom."

She added: "I have to admit, upon writing this, I was sceptical. My initial thought was that surely it'll leave tea stains all over my bathroom? But my curiosity got the better of me and I had to give this hack a go myself."

Phoebe got stuck into the cleaning task: "When cleaning my bathroom, I always start with my sink. My chrome tap was far from gleaming, with water and toothpaste marks on it.

"As the expert had mentioned that tea bags could help give taps a 'streak-free shine', I started there. Just as the method said, I simply rubbed the cooled-down tea bag all over my tap.

"Just as I had expected, there was now a brown smear. But it's the next step that made the difference.

"After wiping over the tap with a dry microfiber cloth as advised, it began to look shiny. Would this have worked the same without using the tea bag and just the cloth? I'm not sure."

Then it was on to a task many of us find annoying: "Next I headed to the shower, which had water streaks all over the glass screen. I have to admit it felt very bizarre reaching for a tea bag to tackle this rather than my trusty Flash shower cleaner.

"Again, wiping the stains with the tea bag left an unsightly residue. But as they say, I had to trust the process. That was until the tea bag split.

"As you can imagine, this created more mess than there was in the first place, but eager to keep going I quickly cleared it up and boiled the kettle once more.

"After letting another tea bag cool down, whilst drinking another tea, I got going again.

"I carried on at the streaks whilst pressing a little lighter on the shower screen. After wiping down with a cloth again, I was pleasantly surprised at the results - the stains were gone and the glass was gleaming."

However, it's safe to say Phoebe had had enough of the hack at this point: "Admittedly, I gave up after this. The tea bag I'd just used looked like it was at breaking point and quite frankly, I just wanted to get on with cleaning the 'normal' way.

"What I can say is this hack would probably work effectively on mirrors too, given the results of my shower screen.

"As for the toilet, I didn't attempt it, as I'd much rather use something which properly sanitises and disinfects it."

Would she use the hack again? Phoebe concluded: "All in all, I can't say I'll be switching my regular bathroom cleaning products for tea bags, but it was still somewhat effective and others may have better results.

"But if you do want to try it out for yourself, I'd definitely recommend having a few cups of teas on the go to save the hassle."