Vanish Power Shot > Reviews > If only it could make my monsters vanish!

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Good value
Do you need to use much for each clean?	The suggested amount produces best results
Longlasting effects?	Keeps things looking clean for longer than average

Advantages:	A good stain remover for carpets
Disadvantages:	not good for large areas

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

When we moved into our new house 2 years ago we had to remove all the carpets because the previous owner had cats and I am allergic to them. I spent the first few hours in my new home sneezing and my eyes looked like I had been in a boxing match! My intention was to get all wood flooring but due to the timescale and lack of funds we got cheap carpet to do us until we had more time and money to get what I wanted. So 2 years later we still have the cheap carpets!! Having 2 young boys well 3 really if you count the other half, keeping my carpets clean is a job in itself. I do have a vax but it is too big to get out every time something gets spilt and plus I would have it out every day! The usual things I get on the carpets are mud due to the muddy football boots that seem to get muddier every time they are put on and even though they are banned from any room that has carpet the mud still finds away in! And another one is juice, which is also banned but again seems to sprout legs and run to the carpet, as no one ever seems to know how the stains got there!
So this is the reason I always have a can of this stuff in my cupboard.

The vanish products are owned by Reckitt Benckiser, they also own other famous brands such as finish, lemsip, dettol, E45 & optrex to name but a few. All vanish products are that distinctive bright pink colour. This product comes in a 400ml spray can, which states that it will dissolve stains instantly. The only gripe I have with the can is the lid which when I finally get it off I always end up breaking it as it is very cheap plastic.

PRODUCT STATEMENT

Vanish powershot has a powerful formula which delivers unbeatable stain removal action. You can see it working immediately, its rapid bubbling action drives deep into your carpet pile, loosening and lifting even the toughest carpet stains and is also suitable on wool carpets (not that will be a problem in my house!)

USING

Ok the directions for people that read them (that excludes me!) basically you remove any residue with a cloth, shake the can well and spray about 15cm from the area, rub with a clean white absorbent cloth and then repeat until the stain is gone. If you have an older stain then let the formula sink in for about 30 seconds.

Actually I am quite impressed that I actually do more or less what the instructions say, first I find my stain, which isn’t hard in my house as they say here’s one my monsters prepared earlier. Then wrestle with the lid to find a very basic spray and then spray, it smells a bit like polish but the smell wears off very quickly. As the formula hits the carpet you can see it start to bubble and fizz then I take my white cloth and give it a rub and voila the stain disappears. This way only works if I catch the stain when it first happens, if I am using this product on a old stain I leave the spray on the stain longer and then rub off but for more stubborn stains this can take a few goes but it usually gets it off.

I have used this on mud, milk, juice, ketchup, sick!! & Wine (ok the last one is not the kids before you call social services!).

Before you use you should do a test on your carpet in an area that no one can see, just spray a small area, leave it for 12 hours and then check to see if the carpet is still ok. This will let you know if it is ok to be used on your carpet, personally I didn’t do this and I know one day this will backfire on me!

WARNINGS

Obviously this product comes with warnings including keep away from little monsters, protect from sunlight, do not expose to high temperatures, do not pierce or burn, do not spray on a naked flame, do not use on electrical equipment, do not breathe vapour, avoid contact with the skin or eyes, do not swallow and recycle when finished.

PRICE & RANGE

Power shot… £3.72

Oxi action carpet & upholstery cleaner … £2.98

Carpet power foam … £3.88

I must admit the powershot does last a long while; the only downside is that it really wouldn’t be practical for larger areas.

So yes if like me you have little monsters that seem to ooze mess and stains then this would be a perfect addition to any cleaning cupboard.