The specific appearance of the product's container or the magical solution itself is not described in the Harry Potter novels. It is known only by its brand name and intended function as a powerful, general-purpose cleaner.
Mrs. Skower's is a potent cleaning solution designed to eliminate difficult magical messes, such as stubborn potions stains or residue from spells. It is considered a standard and effective cleaning agent in the wizarding world, to the point that it is kept in stock at Hogwarts for custodial purposes. The product's most notable appearance is when Argus Filch attempts to use it to clean the threatening message, “THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE,” from a corridor wall. Despite the product's reputation, it proves completely ineffective against the message, which had been written in paint and protected by the powerful dark magic emanating from Tom Riddle's Diary.
The product's precise origins are unknown, though its name strongly suggests it was invented by, and is likely still produced by, a witch named Mrs. Skower. By the 1992-1993 school year, it was a well-established and commercially available product within the British wizarding world.
The primary role of Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover occurs in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Its failure to clean the message on the wall serves a crucial narrative purpose by establishing the potency of the magic used by Tom Riddle's memory. When a standard, powerful cleaning product fails, it underscores for the characters and the reader that they are facing a formidable and sinister form of dark magic that cannot be easily undone. The incident also subtly reinforces Argus Filch's status as a Squib. Unable to perform cleaning spells himself, he must rely on manufactured magical products to perform his caretaking duties at Hogwarts. Finally, the product's existence helps build the world, showing that the wizarding world has its own branded goods and commercial products, mirroring Muggle society.
The name “Skower” is a clear phonetic play on the English word “scour,” which means to clean or brighten a surface by rubbing it hard, often with an abrasive or chemical cleaning agent.
There is no known supplementary information about this product from J.K. Rowling's interviews, Pottermore, or the Wizarding World website.