A side-by-side test of Cif cream cleaner and white vinegar on a grimy hob produced a clear winner, with the vinegar delivering a spotless finish in minutes and far less mess.
The test was carried out after a chaotic cooking session left the hob covered in greasy oil stains, watermarks and burn marks. One side of the hob was cleaned with Cif cream cleaner, bought from a local Savers store for around £1.50, while the other side was treated with white vinegar.
Cif cream cleaner: effective but messy
The Cif bottle claims it removes 100% of the toughest dirt. A generous amount was applied to the surface and worked in with a damp cloth. While the lemon fragrance was pleasant, the product spread across the surface, requiring two cleaning pads and a large amount of kitchen roll to clear away. The process also left dirty water and residue on a freshly washed T-shirt.
Despite the mess, the Cif did leave the hob surface reasonably clean with a decent shine and tackled some stubborn food stains.
White vinegar: quick and easy
White vinegar was sprayed generously over the hob, including beneath the burners and around the controls, and left to sit for a couple of minutes. It was then wiped away with a cleaning pad, leaving a gleaming, spotless hob. The method required no damp cloth and was considerably less messy, with clothing remaining clean.
The only drawback noted was the smell of the vinegar, though it did not linger for long. The tester concluded it was worth it for an immaculately clean hob within minutes.
