Say hello to the cleaning influencer you’ve never heard of – a product tester and cleaning guru who sets the nation’s trends without most people even knowing it.

Nicola Masling is the woman behind every cleaning lover’s dream job, as household and garden retailer wilko’s senior cleaning technologist.

The role sees the cleaning-obsessed 33-year-old dissect the latest trends and innovations within the industry to identify which product types are the ‘next best thing’.

Nicola, who describes the position as her “dream job”, handpicks tomorrow’s must-have cleaning products, from stain removers to disinfectants, to take pride of place in the high street and online retailer’s industry-leading cleaning range.

Part of the role involves Nicola, from Sheffield, testing products at wilko HQ.

She says this real-life experience ensures she’s able to put her own “personal seal of approval” on products – refusing to approve anything she would not use herself.

Nicola started working for wilko aged 16 before becoming a merchandiser, then using her passion and talent for cleaning to land her dream role as a technologist.

In addition to quality-checking each product’s grime-busting credentials, Nicola also analyses the components that make up wilko’s bespoke range of own-brand products.

By hand-picking and testing all wilko’s cleaning products, Nicola arguably has as much sway within the industry as some of social media’s biggest stars.

She said: “As someone who’s obsessed with cleaning, working as wilko’s in-house expert is absolutely my dream job.

“I love delving into new products to discover the newest and best innovations within the industry, there’s always something to get excited about.

“It feels great to know that the expert insight I provide ultimately goes on to help thousands, maybe millions, of other people across the country.

“I’m dedicated to ensuring our customers get the best of the best, so it’s not a job I take lightly!”

Nicola also played a key role in developing wilko’s own Total Cleaning Solutions range, which offers shoppers top quality cleaning products at affordable prices.

Front and centre of the range is wilko’s own brand plastic-free wipes, which offer high performance at a low price – with excellent environmental credentials.

While Nicola’s primary role is being a fount of all cleaning knowledge, there are various other essential aspects of the job to keep her busy.

She works to ensure products are safe, legal and fit for purpose through rigorous approval processes and carries out audits and site visits to ensure high standards.

Elsewhere, Nicola guarantees product quality by carrying out market reviews to ensure items remain relevant.

To shop wilko’s cleaning product range, visit: https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/home/cleaning-household/c/370