Customer Reviews

Fluidmaster 8100 Flush 'N' Sparkle Toilet Bowl Cleaning System

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you have ever experienced rust colored well water, you will know that it can be tough to get rid of the rust stains. I was going crazy with the rust ring in my brand new (white, no less) toilets. The in tank tablets worked great in my old toilet but they corroded the tank parts and the toilet kept running. So, when I installed new toilets, I figured I would be scrubbing them every day (rings in the bowl gross me out). I saw the Flush N' Sparkle on the Fluidmaster web site and I got interested. I then found it in my local hardware store and decided to try it. I will never go without it again if I can help it. The rust rings have not been seen in months. The cartridges work for 3-4 months before needing replacement. That alone is a cost savings compared to what I was spending on cleaners to scrub the rings away everyday . The only recommendation I can make to Fluidmaster is to make the cartridges available in more stores (like the grocery store, where I buy my other cleaning supplies). But, since the cartridges do last so long, it's not a major problem to pick them up when at the hardware for something else (and with my house, that's often).

This is not the same product as the Flush n'Sparkle Bleach. Do not mistake it for such. It does not do nearly the job and does not last very long. Don't buy it. Go for the Bleach product. By contrast the Flush n'Sparkle Bleach is absolutely awesome and can not be beat.

***I would like to make a note that I left the same following comments for the refills also***

I tried this item as an alternative to the products you drop into the toilet water reservoir or hang from the bowl rim. This works well because it is designed to apply the solution directly into the water of the toilet bowl and not into the reservoir where most products would have a gunky build up or stain the inside of the tank. After setting it up (which was really not complicated) it works great.

Replacing the refill cartridge is simple, no-fuss-no-muss. The only thing that keeps me from giving this item a 5 out of 5 stars is that it can require (on rare occasions) a couple of prods with a toothpick to loosen it up if it doesn't get used often. That can also be necessary for the tablets you drop down into the water reservoir. What is better about the Fluidmaster is that the cartridge is right at the top of the tank for easy access.

The refills last a long time about three to four months give or take with average use. I prefer the blue and can appreciate that the color is long lasting.

F.Y.I. As another reviewer has stated, locating refills can be a challenge to find at your local stores, but this item is still worth it.

I bought the Septic Tank Care with BioBalance (8200) b/c we have a septic system and do not use bleach. The illustrations are simpler than our Kohler tank mechanism, but we figured out how to adjust it, and it seems to work quite well on every single flush. I think the instructions are too simplistic and should show at least one other type of system so people make sure they install it correctly. As to how long it lasts, well the box says 'up to 3 months' which could mean a week to 3 months--who knows. I do think it's over priced at $14 (Lowes) and refills at $8. So I'm only giving it 4 stars.

Other than blue colored water in the toilet bowl this doesn't clean the stains left from from rust and hard water. You also are not supposed tom use other cleaners with this product so to clean your toilet properly you will have to disconnect the hose that puts the chemical into your bowl every time you do clean.

I have very hard water which leaves a ring in the toilet bowl after just a week. This product puts chlorine bleach in the bowl when you flush, but it is not in the tank deteriorating internal parts. I would buy it at twice the price.

this little guy really delivers

i'm not sure if the blue version cleans as much as the bleach - the catridges are interchangeable so you can try both - but you get the pleasing blue toliet water.

it lasts forever on toliets that don't get much use because you don't waste it flushing it down the toliet

the catridges are a little pricey so it is sorta a break even between cheap and short lasting regulare types and a bit more expensive but last forever like this. the bleach version however is much better for your tank parts and the environment

would buy again

I first used the colorless, bleach filled cartridge enclosed in the original system pack and two more refills of the same type. Does keep the bowl clean for 3 weeks or so, but it's difficult to judge when to replace since you must rely on your sense of smell to determine if the colorless tab is exhausted. Visual examination is not any help. Removing the screw-in cartidge to inspect, can't reliably determine if anything is left since the plastic cartridge holder restricts line of sight.
I bought the blue refill next time around, thinking replacement easily determined by lack of blue water. The old steel trap mind at work.
Two weeks later the water was colorless (one person, routine use). Upon removing the cartridge (don't do this until tank is refilled-blue water on the wall and floor will help you remember), blue ooze of honey- like consistency dripped out of the cartridge, which I quickly repositioned over the basket/hole, returning it to the "installed" position. Next flush, water was blue again for mybe 3-4 more flushes. Had to unscrew and reinstall the cartidge every few flushes so cartridge would do its job. What a pain in the ___!
That procedure lasted another 4 weeks until I tired of it and replaced with the remaining refill from the same package...same problem. Makes me wonder if the bleach refill acted the same way.
Next refill pack of 2 resulted in the same problem. The ooze is in the cartridg holder but is not dispensed into the bowl. Line is not plugged since clear water does flow into the bowl through the unit's tubeing.
Conclusion: Good idea, poor execution with the cartridges. Fluidmaster, let me know if/when you resolve the cartridge sludge dispensing issue, I may use again, no mas as is!

The box contains the whole kit including a single cleaning canister. The canister was not encased in any way, not even in a zip lock bag. As a result, when we opened the package the blue cleanser colorant was all over the inside of the box. What a mess! Clean up was a pain in the posterior.

This product not only turns your toilet water an ugly blue but has now stained my brand new toilet with a blue ring that I cannot even bleach off. I've had it installed for about two months and it is not keeping the bowl clean either.