Your loo and skin transformed for £2: 10 cloves in a bar of soap — will you try it for 7 days?

A cupboard staple is quietly creeping back into British bathrooms, promising fresher loos and calmer skin for pocket change.

Grandmothers swore by it. TikTok has rediscovered it. Push whole cloves into a plain bar of soap and you get two immediate pay-offs: a cistern that smells warmer and cleaner each flush, and a quick purifying face mask made in the time it takes the kettle to boil. The draw is obvious: minimal faff, small spend, tangible results you can test this week.

What the cloves‑in‑soap hack actually is

The method could not be simpler. You press whole cloves into a bar of soap, then either slip it into the toilet cistern to scent the water, or shave some off to blend a seven‑minute face mask. The clove’s key molecule, eugenol, gives that spicy scent and has well‑studied antibacterial and anti‑inflammatory activity in lab settings. Soap acts as carrier, keeps things tidy, and dissolves at a predictable pace.

Ten cloves, one bar of soap, seven days: a low‑cost trial that makes loos less whiffy and skin look calmer.

Step‑by‑step for a fresher loo

For most households, you already own everything you need. Expect a warm, peppery, “just cleaned” edge without sprays.

• Take a neutral or lightly scented bar of soap.
• Press 10 whole cloves evenly across one face of the bar.
• Slip the bar into a thin sock, tights foot, or small fabric bag; knot securely.
• Open the cistern; place the bundle away from the float and flush valve so nothing snags.
• Test-flush once. If the mechanism moves freely, close the lid and carry on.
• Check weekly. Replace when the bar turns mushy or cloves lose fragrance.

What happens inside the cistern

With each flush, a little soap dissolves. That carries clove aromatics into the bowl water, softening odours without harsh chemicals. You won’t get a perfumey blast; you get a gentle, steady background note that most people notice within a day. It does not disinfect the loo. It’s an aroma aid and a nudge towards a “clean” smell between proper scrubs.

Place the bundle in a clear corner of the tank, not dangling near moving parts. If it catches, move it or remove it.

A seven‑minute purifying face mask

When time is tight, soap shavings and crushed cloves make a short, punchy mask for congested skin. The mix lifts oil and daily grime, while eugenol’s properties help calm localised redness.

• Shave 1 tablespoon of fragrance‑free, dye‑free soap.
• Crush 3 whole cloves with a spoon or in a mortar until fine.
• Blend soap and clove powder with hot water, drop by drop, into a smooth paste.
• Apply a thin layer to clean skin, avoiding eyes and lips.
• Leave on for no longer than 7 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
• Pat dry. Follow with a basic, non‑perfumed moisturiser.

Patch test and who should skip it

Do a small patch test behind the ear or along the jawline for 24 hours first. If you feel stinging or see redness, stop. Those with very sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, broken skin, or known clove allergies should give this a miss. Not for children. Avoid use around the eyes and do not exceed the time limit.

Keep it short: seven minutes, once or twice a week. More time does not mean better results.

Does it actually save money?

For many households the numbers are appealing. You repurpose what you own, dodge aerosol refills, and skip boutique masks you’ll use twice and forget.

Most readers will land under £2 for the first week, then pennies thereafter. Compare that with a £3–£5 rim block plus a £6 clay mask, and the saving stacks up fast if you like the results.

Small print: risks, limits and maintenance

• Mechanism clearance: Don’t let the bag touch the float arm or valve. If your cistern is cramped, skip the trick.
• Residue: A little soap scum may form inside the tank. Wipe the interior every month during a standard clean.
• Finish and materials: Modern cistern components are plastic; soap and cloves are benign. Still, avoid tying the bag to moving parts.
• Septic systems: The tiny soap load is usually fine. If you’re strict about inputs, use a simple, biodegradable soap and keep quantities modest.
• Fragrance clashes: If you use strong bleach regularly, expect the clove note to get drowned out.
• Sensitive noses: Clove can smell intense to some. Start with 6 cloves and increase if you like it.

Why people are trying it now

Budgets are tight and households want fewer plastic refills. A hack that reuses a stray sock, trims bathroom clutter and dials down harsh sprays feels timely. There’s also the charm of a ritual you can explain in a sentence. It fits around life, and you notice the change quickly.

Tips that make the difference

For the loo

• Choose a white or pale soap so you can see wear and replace before it turns to mush.
• Knot the bag twice to stop the bar slipping out when it softens.
• If the water looks cloudy after a long holiday, flush twice; the effect settles.

For the mask

• Keep the paste thin. A heavy layer can tingle more and is harder to rinse.
• Use lukewarm water. Hot water can aggravate redness.
• Limit to once or twice a week; pair with a bland moisturiser to protect the skin barrier.

If you want to take it further

Swap the soap bar in your cistern every two to three weeks and rotate scents to prevent “nose blindness”. A pinch of ground cinnamon pressed into the bar adds warmth, while a strip of dried orange peel tucked in the bag boosts freshness. Keep extras mild to avoid gumming up the works.

For skincare, log a two‑week patch‑test plan: week one on the jawline, week two on one cheek, then commit to a six‑week routine if your skin behaves. If clogged pores are your main concern, alternate the clove mask with a gentle BHA toner on different days to avoid over‑exfoliation. Always listen to your skin; a little tingle can be normal, but burning is your cue to rinse and stop.