The $9 Bunnings secret that's been hiding in the paint aisle for decades

When Sydney professional cleaner Sara Allan shared her range hood cleaning trick on social media, she had no idea she'd be introducing thousands of Australians to what tradies have quietly sworn by for generations.

The humble cleaning product that transforms the most dreaded kitchen chore into a 10-second miracle has been sitting right under our noses at Bunnings—just not where you'd expect to find it.

Sara's video, which has racked up over 410,000 views, shows her dipping a greasy range hood filter into a bucket of bubbly water and lifting it out completely clean, without a single scrub.

The secret? A white crystalline powder called Tricleanium that costs less than a takeaway coffee but delivers cleaning power that puts premium brands to shame.

What exactly is Tricleanium?

Tricleanium's primary ingredient is Trisodium phosphate, and it's been an Australian family-owned business since 1954.

Originally developed as a kitchen cleaner for ovens and range hood filters, professional tradies soon discovered it was also excellent for tackling difficult cleaning jobs and as an alternative to sugar soap for wall preparation before painting.

That's why you'll find this cleaning powerhouse in Bunnings' paint section rather than with the household cleaners.

Available as either a ready-to-use spray for $9.98 or a 1kg concentrate powder for $18.98, Tricleanium is an ultra-concentrated all-purpose cleanser containing 100 per cent alkaline salts that's non-corrosive and designed to remove dirt, grease, mould and smoke stains from almost any surface.

The incredible value that stretches your dollar

Here's where Tricleanium becomes genuinely exciting for anyone mindful of their budget. Just 1kg of Tricleanium concentrate makes 100 litres of cleaning product based on suggested dilution ratios—that means hours of cleaning and hundreds of cleaning tasks before you need another tub.

To put this in perspective, if you typically spend $4-6 on a 500ml bottle of kitchen degreaser, you're paying around $8-12 per litre. With Tricleanium's concentrate at $18.98 making 100 litres, you're getting cleaning solution for roughly 19 cents per litre. That's a saving of over 95 per cent compared to conventional cleaners.

Sara's step-by-step method that actually works

Sara's technique is refreshingly simple. She dilutes half a cup of Tricleanium concentrate powder into a 10-litre bucket of hot water, stirring until fully dissolved.

The detached range hood filter goes straight into the solution where it soaks for just 10 seconds—though she notes that heavily built-up filters benefit from longer soaking times.

The magic happens as you watch the water bubble around the filter. When Sara lifts it out, the soaked section is completely clean without any scrubbing.

The critical final step is thorough rinsing with clean water to remove all traces of Tricleanium residue before drying and reinstalling.

Safety first—important considerations for seniors

While Tricleanium's effectiveness is impressive, it's essential to understand the safety requirements, particularly for those with sensitive skin or respiratory conditions. The product causes skin irritation, serious eye irritation, and may cause respiratory irritation.

Always wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye or face protection. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. If you have arthritis or joint issues, the good news is that Tricleanium's power means minimal scrubbing is required, making it gentler on your hands and arms.

Important note: It's not advisable to use Tricleanium on brass and aluminium plated surfaces, and you should prevent contact with carpets or surfaces that are not colourfast.

Beyond range hoods—other brilliant uses

Tricleanium works on internal walls, ceilings, floors, benchtops, tiles, stainless steel, stoves, baths, showers, musty washing machines, fridges, oven trays, as well as external surfaces like weatherboards, BBQs and hotplates, and even greasy engine parts.

Many customers rave about using it for cleaning grout, removing years of built-up grime from oven racks, and even tackling oil stains on driveways. For cleaning washing machines, add up to 1 cup of Tricleanium to an empty machine and run on a hot cycle—though modern water-saving machines only need 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

Where to find Tricleanium and what to expect

Tricleanium is available from major hardware retailers like Bunnings and Mitre 10 and from specialist paint retailers. Remember to look in the paint section, not with the regular cleaning products. You can also find it on Amazon, though prices may vary.

The customer reviews are generally enthusiastic, with comments like 'This cleans like nothing else I've ever experienced before! Highly recommend!' However, some users note that it can leave a powdery residue if not rinsed thoroughly, so that final rinse step Sara emphasises really is crucial.

Is the hype justified?

Tricleanium has achieved cult status as a bit of a trade secret, trusted by professional cleaners and painters since the family-owned company was established in 1954. For seniors looking to reduce physical effort while achieving professional results, and especially for those on fixed budgets who appreciate exceptional value, Tricleanium offers genuine benefits.

The cost savings alone make it worth trying, particularly if you have multiple cleaning tasks around the home. Just remember that with great cleaning power comes the responsibility to use appropriate safety measures—but once you've got your gear sorted, you might find yourself wondering why you waited so long to discover this Australian cleaning legend.