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Best and worst washing-up liquids
From big brands to supermarket own labels and eco detergents, we put washing-up
liquids to the test to find the best
We first tested washing-up liquids in 1959. Our rigorous assessments separate the best washing-up liquids from those you should leave on the shelf.
We've tested big brands like Fairy and Ecover alongside supermarket-own labels from Aldi, Co-op and Sainsbury's. We only give Best Buy recommendations to washing-up liquids that excel in shifting fatty foods and baked-on grease.
We also check how long the bubbles last, counting the number of plates that each detergent cleans before the foam disappears. The most expensive washing-up liquids aren't always the best – some of the cheapest can wash almost 65% more dirty plates than the most expensive (per 100ml).
Read on to discover which washing-up liquids cut the mustard, or take a deeper dive into their performance in our full washing-up liquid reviews.
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Best washing-up liquids
Which? members should log in to unlock the table below.
If you're not yet a member, join Which? to discover the Best Buy washing-up liquids and get instant access to our reviews across the website.
| Product | Price | Score | Bottle size (ml) | Cost per 100ml | Fat removing power | Tough grease removal | Foam duration | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi: Magnum Premium Washing-Up Liquid | ||||||||
| Co-op: Lemon Washing-Up Liquid | ||||||||
| Ecover: Lemon and Aloe Vera Washing-Up Liquid | ||||||||
| Fairy: Max Power Antibac Washing-Up Liquid | ||||||||
| Fairy: Max Power Original Washing-Up Liquid | ||||||||
| Kit & Kin: Washing-Up Liquid Pink Grapefruit | ||||||||
| Lidl: W5 Original Washing-Up Liquid |
Table notes
Brands are listed in alphabetical order. Prices: Collected in June 2024. We aren't able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available. Fat removal: How well the washing-up liquid removes fat and grease and keeps it suspended in water, rather than redistributing it back onto dishes. Foam duration: How long the foam lasts before it looks as if you need to change the water when cleaning less intensive everyday grime from plates. Tough grease removal: How well the washing-up liquid removes baked-on grease, such as that left over from roasting potatoes or grilling meat. Sustainability: Based on environmental impact and transparency of ingredients, and the recyclability and filling of packaging. Test score: Based on 70% fat removal, 10% foam duration, 10% tough-grease removal, 10% sustainability (test score ignores prices).
Where to buy washing-up liquid
- Kit & Kin: Washing-Up Liquid Pink Grapefruit is available from Kit & Kin (£4.99)
Where to buy the supermarket own-brand washing-up liquids we tested:
- Aldi: Magnum Premium Washing-Up Liquid – available from Aldi (89p)
- Co-op: Lemon Washing-Up Liquid – available from Co-op (69p)
- Lidl: W5 Original Washing-Up Liquid – available from Lidl (49p, in-store only)
- Marks & Spencer: Italian Lemon and Ginger Washing-Up liquid – available from Ocado (£1.50)
- Sainsbury's: Washing-Up Liquid – available from Sainsbury's (62p)
- Waitrose: Essential Waitrose Washing-Up Liquid Anti-Bacterial – available from Waitrose (£1)
Join Which? to discover how each of these washing-up liquids performed in our rigorous lab tests
How we test washing-up liquids
Which? tests washing-up liquids in the lab to help you find the best. The resulting product reviews answer the most important questions, including:
- How well does it remove fat?
- How long does the foam (bubbles) last?
- How well does it tackle tough, baked-on grease?
- What is its environmental impact?
The higher the score, the better the washing-up liquid performed in our tests. Certain parts of the test are more important than others, so they carry different weightings. We think a washing-up liquid's most important job is to bust fat from plates, so a large proportion of our total test score is based on this.
A washing-up liquid needs to earn 78% in our rigorous tests to become a Best Buy. Those with less than 45% become a Don't Buy.
Great Value products are a selection of the cheapest products per 100ml that score 60% or above. Which? recommends these as a good choice for those who want to spend less, without sacrificing too much in the way of performance.
An Eco Buy needs to be better for the environment than alternatives on the market, and it needs to perform well at its core job, so Eco Buy products must have a minimum overall score of 65% plus four stars for sustainability.
Find out more about how we test washing-up liquids.
Which? members can compare high scorers at a glance in our washing-up liquid reviews
But don't just use it to clean dishes – discover 5 surprising uses for washing-up liquid (no log-in required)
View washing-up liquid reviews
