I put supermarket own-brand washing-up liquids to the test to see how much they foamed, if they were any good at removing dirt and grime, and ultimately, how affordable they were
Washing-up liquids are a staple in many people’s weekly shopping list. They’re designed to lift food particles and other debris, and their antibacterial properties help keep plates, cutlery, and mugs clean. However, I started noticing how pricey branded ones were getting as I wasn’t buying the essentials every week.
I’ve always opted for Fairy in the past, but I decided to put supermarket own-brand washing-up liquids to the test to see how much they foamed, if they were any good at removing dirt and grime, and ultimately, how affordable they were. The supermarkets I tested were Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer.
Lidl – 65p
The Lidl washing-up liquid had a lovely smell, with a subtle fragrance that wasn’t too overpowering. However, I didn’t find it foamed up well, which is what I love in a washing-up liquid, as a little goes a long way, reports the Express.
For the price, however, and being affordable, I wouldn’t be against using it again.
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Score: 5/10
Aldi Premium washing-up liquid – 95p
Although I am not a huge fan of the packaging, this washing-up liquid performed well, had a lovely scent, and formed lots of bubbles.
It did a decent job removing grime, but I did have to soak a few items, which I wouldn’t usually need to do.
Score: 8/10
M&S – 70p
Marks and Spencer’s washing-up liquid was great, although I wasn’t really a fan of the bottle or packaging. Besides looks, it foamed well and produced lots of bubbles, which helped the product go further.
It still wasn’t my favourite, though. Being one of the pricier products in the test, I wouldn’t be quick to purchase this washing-up liquid again.
Score: 5/10
Fairy – £1
As a faithful Fairy user, I assumed I’d spot the difference between this liquid and some supermarket versions, but I genuinely couldn’t, proving that supermarket own brands can perform just as well.
Sainsbury’s – 65p
Sainsbury’s topped my washing-up liquids leaderboard, as have many of their own-brand products. It did everything you’d want a liquid to do, and for the price, I reckoned this was the best.
I chose the original scent, as I have in most other supermarkets, but the apple scent is also fantastic.
Score: 10/10
Tesco – 65p
Tesco’s performed similarly to Sainsbury’s, and I couldn’t discern much of a difference between them; even the scent was very similar.
The prices were identical, so I’d suggest trying out both to figure out which one you prefer.
Score: 10/10
Asda – 62p
I’ve used Asda washing-up liquid in the past, and although the price has increased over the years, I still reckon 59p is quite affordable for 500ml of liquid.
It didn’t foam as much as Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Fairy, but it was still a very decent product and I’d definitely use it again.
Score: 7/10
Waitrose – 75p
One of the pricier washing-up liquids was Waitrose, and I also had to buy this in a citrus scent as the original one wasn’t available.
It was a great washing-up liquid, although the scent was a little too overpowering for me. I would use this again, but I preferred the cheaper ones in the test.
Score: 6/10