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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 Liquid and Ecover alongside supermarket own labels by Aldi, Morrisons and Tesco. 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 washing-up liquids can wash over four times the number of dirty plates as 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
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| Washing-up liquid test results | ||||||||
| Product | Price | Score | Bottle size (ml) | Cost per 100ml | Fat removing power | Tough grease removal | Foam duration | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85% | ||||||||
| 80% | ||||||||
| 70% | ||||||||
| 67% | ||||||||
| 66% | ||||||||
| 58% | ||||||||
Table notes
Price: Collected in February 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 like 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).
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, and so 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 79% 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.
To find out more about the best and worst washing-up liquids or to compare high scorers at a glance, check out our washing-up liquid reviews.
View washing-up liquid reviews
