Which one actually cuts through grease—and which one just makes bubbles?
Washing-up liquid is one of the most-used products in any UK kitchen, but not all formulas are created equal. Some promise sparkling results and fall flat; others quietly outperform the big names at half the price.
We tested dozens of washing-up liquids available in the UK—from supermarket own-brands to eco refills and powerhouse formulas like Fairy and Persil. Each one was scored on real-world Cleaning Power, User Experience, Customer Feedback, and Value for Money—with Eco Ratings shown where available.
Whether you’re looking for unbeatable grease-busting, a sensitive-skin option, or just the best value per wash, this Top 10 list reveals the best washing-up liquids you can buy right now.
#10– Smol Washing-Up Liquid
- ✨Cleaning Power: 4.1 / 5 – Performs well for medium tasks with a low-tox formula.
- 💷 Cost: £2.13 (500ml) – £0.43 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Refillable bottle system with sleek design.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.4⭐ from 2,300+ reviews
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 4.0 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 / 5)
#9 – Ecover Washing Up Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.3 / 5 – Good on general dishwashing tasks, less so grease
- 💷 Cost: £3.85 (950ml) – £0.41 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Gentle, subtle scent, smooth rinse with skin friendly formula.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.5⭐ from 1,200+ reviews.
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 / 5
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 3.0 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 / 5)
#8 – Aldi Magnum Original Washing Up Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.3 / 5 – Strong budget option that tackles most food residues.
- 💷 Cost: £0.85 (500ml) – £0.17 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Fresh scent, budget friendly, top 10 for a reason.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.4⭐ from 1,500+ reviews
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3 / 5)
#7 – Fairy Max Power Lemon
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.6 -Strong degreaser with thick consistency and fast-action.
- 💷 Cost: £3.25 (545ml) – £0.60 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Innovative upside-down bottle, easy to dispense.
- ⭐Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from 6,000+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 / 5)
#6 – Fairy Apple & Rhubarb
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.5 / 5 – Effective on regular messes with a fresh scent.
- 💷 Cost: £1.50 for 625ml – £0.24 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Foams well with a light apple scent. Gentler on hands.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.7⭐ from 3,600+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 / 5)
#5 – Fairy Max Power Antibacterial Eucalyptus
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.7 / 5 – Combines solid cleaning power with hygiene boost
- 💷 Cost: £2.75 (450ml) – £0.42 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Thick gel formula for max contact and control
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from 3,800+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 / 5)
#4 – Fairy Antibacterial Eucalyptus
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.8 – Cuts through grease effectively with antibacterial action.
- 💷Cost: £3.50 (870ml) – £0.39 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Easy to use, thick formula, widely liked scent with strong suds
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from over 4,000 reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6 / 5)
#3. Persil Pro Formula Zest
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 5.0 – Very effective for tough grime and professional settings.
- 💷 Cost: £17.99 (5L) – £0.36 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Commercial-grade, fresh scent, heavy duty.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.5⭐ from 900+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.0 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7 / 5)
#2. Fairy Platinum Quickwash Original
- ✨Cleaning Power: 5.0 – Strong cleaning speed with a fast-rinse formula
- 💷Cost: £1.98 (520ml) 38p per 100ml
- 🫧User Experience: Fast-rinse formula, rapid clean, time-saving
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from 2,800+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.8 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 / 5)
#1. Fairy Original Washing Up Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 5.0 –A proven reliable classic on grime and residues.
- 💷 Cost: £2.00 (654ml) – £0.31 per 100ml
- 🫧 User Experience: Classic feel, cuts grease fast, fresh scent.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from 5,000+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.0 / 5
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8 / 5)
Verdict: Fairy products dominate and set the standard
Let’s get one thing straight — standards in this category are sky-high. We tested over 40 washing-up liquids across mainstream, budget, and eco brands to uncover the true top performers. To even qualify for this Top 10, a product had to earn an overall score of 4.3 or above — a score that would win entire categories elsewhere.
And in the world of washing-up liquid, Fairy still reigns supreme.
A staggering 6 out of the 10 top spots go to Fairy — each with a different formula but all delivering outstanding cleaning power, long-lasting suds, and real-world user satisfaction. From Platinum Quickwash to Max Power Lemon, Fairy dominates — and yes, good old Fairy Original still sets the benchmark.
But it’s not a one-brand show.
Aldi delivers impressive affordability without sacrificing performance, landing a well-earned spot with a formula that punches above its price tag. And it’s encouraging to see two eco options round out the Top 10 — proving that sustainability and performance can finally share a bottle.
🏆 Our Top Picks
🌿 Best Eco Pick: Smol Washing up liquid
⚖️ Best All-Rounder: Fairy Original
💪 Best Performer: Fairy Original
💷 Best Value: Aldi Magnum Original
Each one was reviewed using:
♻️ Eco Rating – included for transparency only
✨ Cleaning Power – grease-busting, food removal
💷 Cost Value – price vs performance
🫧 User Experience – scent, feel, bottle usability
⭐ Customer Feedback – real-world trust and reviews
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