When Lever Brothers Ltd decided to change the name of all their Jif products to Cif they probably didn’t realise the connotations that the new name would have for many people in the UK and in particular ex and current servicemen. Cif is the slang or abbreviated term for syphilis, a well know venereal disease. My first reaction to the news was that I don’t fancy cleaning my bath or sink with syph, sorry I mean Cif.

However not put off by the new name I decided that the new bathroom mousse would be just right to ease my aching back when cleaning the bath etc. A 600ml aerosol spray can for £1.98 in Asda seemed rather expensive but if it meant no more leaning over the bath to clean and paining whilst doing so it would be worth it. The can is a comfortable fit into an adult hand and the Lime Zest flavoured variety comes in a green and silver can standing 27cms tall.

The claim for Cif bathroom mousse is, “Brilliant shine without rubbing.”

The contents are, according to the instructions on the can, suitable for plastic, enamel and chromed surfaces but it adds that in the case of stubborn stains Cif cream should be applied to remove the stain. This is already an admission that Cif Bathroom Mousse is only suitable for lightly scummed baths and in this they are absolutely correct. Bath a couple of kids at the end of a day’s play in a clean bath and Cif does not remove all the scum marks around the bath in spite of how it is portrayed on TV.

It is easy enough to apply although I still have to lean over the bath to position the nozzle within the recommended 15 to 25cms so I haven’t gained a great deal there. After applying the foam the user is supposed to leave it in place for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off with running water. That would be fine if the foam stayed in place for the duration but it breaks down before the 10 minutes is up and the resultant liquid slithers into the bottom of the bath leavin
g cleanish patches amongst the scum marks. As you spray the foam onto the bath sides, it will clean where it hits, but being a foam it spreads, giving the impression that an area has been covered when in fact it has not. Spraying through the foam doesn’t work as the foam absorbs the spray. In short it only cleans where it hits direct from the can and you have to spray a dry bath so it is no use being used immediately after a bath.

Rinsing with running water does not remove all of the residue, as I found out when it came for me to take a bath. In spite of rinsing to the same degree that I would do after using a cream, the nice clean, hot water had a sheen of something on the surface with a few bubbles here and there. To get rid of the foam residue you have to wipe the bath clean with running water and in my case that defeats the object of the exercise as in order to do so I have to lean over the bath. I might as well stay with my bath cream which is far cheaper and last longer too. It took a full can to clean my bath and even then there were patches where the foam had not done its stuff so paying £1.98 to almost clean a bath does not make economic sense.

This can too warns the user not to use the product while holding the can in an upright position and in doing so will mean that not all of the product can be used.