The surprising cleaning hack using SENKA foam cleanser has gone viral on social media, with users claiming it outperforms professional degreasers for a fraction of the cost.
A Hong Kong restaurant owner has sparked an unlikely cleaning revolution after stumbling upon a remarkable discovery: a budget-friendly facial foam that cuts through stubborn kitchen grease more effectively than industrial-strength degreasers. The post, shared on Threads by chefdamn_o of the local eatery “bao & bun,” has since garnered thousands of reactions and ignited a wave of user testimonials praising the product’s unexpected versatility.
An Accidental Breakthrough After a Long Shift
The story began when the exhausted restaurateur returned home at 10 p.m., dreading the task of cleaning the family’s grease-laden range hood. After three rounds of scrubbing, the appliance still glistened with an unmistakable yellowish film. In a moment of frustration, he grabbed a bottle of SENKA Moisturizing Foam Cleanser—priced between HK$22 and HK$30—and applied it to the surface. To his astonishment, a few strokes dissolved the buildup entirely.
“It worked better than professional degreaser,” he posted, describing the moment as an unintentional eureka. The product, originally designed for facial care, proved so effective that he felt compelled to share the discovery online.
The Internet Weighs In: “It Cleans Everything”
The post quickly resonated with thousands of Hong Kong residents, many of whom confessed they had long used the same cleanser for tasks far removed from skincare. Comments flooded in, with users describing it as a household saviour.
“This face wash is so strong it dries out your skin and causes peeling—but the sink and range hood don’t have skin, so it’s perfect,” one user joked. Another recounted buying the product during a trip to Japan, only to find it too harsh for their face, but later realising its true calling lay in the kitchen.
Beyond the kitchen, the foam cleanser has reportedly tackled stains on white T-shirts, removed two-week-old motor oil from clothing, whittled down scuffs on white sneakers, eliminated bloodstains, and even deodorised cat litter boxes. Several users lauded its ability to clean bathtubs, sinks, and bathroom tiles, cementing its reputation as a “miracle multi-purpose cleaner.”
Alternative Budget-Friendly Degreasing Methods
The viral post also prompted users to share their own cost-effective cleaning solutions, offering a range of options for tackling baked-on grease.
For chemical enthusiasts:
- Laundry powder mixed with boiling water
- Sodium percarbonate or sodium carbonate powder (HK$12 from Daiso or Aeon), dissolved in hot water and left to soak for 30 minutes—reportedly causing grime to float off without scrubbing
For specialised cleaning:
- Cafiza espresso machine cleaner powder, combined with hot water
- The local favourite “Wai Wai Super Concentrated Detergent,” diluted at a 1:3 ratio
For traditionalists:
- Standard products like Blue Wipe or Magic Clean, sprayed and left to sit for half an hour before rinsing
For the modern household:
- One user succinctly advised: “Buy a dishwasher. You only need 20 seconds to remove parts and load them. Save yourself while you can.”
A Call for Practical Solutions
As the conversation continues to grow, the broader takeaway remains clear: Hong Kong residents are eager for affordable, effective, and accessible cleaning alternatives. The face wash trend underscores a shift toward repurposing everyday items, driven by both economic prudence and environmental awareness.
Whether you’re facing years of accumulated kitchen grease or a stubborn stain on your favourite shirt, it may be worth checking your bathroom cabinet first. And for those seeking a more systematic approach, stocking up on sodium percarbonate from a local discount store might just be the simplest investment you make this year.
For readers interested in more household tips, consider exploring guides on proper meat storage or the surprising dangers of common condiments—both of which have recently gained attention among Hong Kong consumers.