We tested popular hand-washing formats to see if eco-friendly options can clean just as well as traditional ones—at a similar price.
Introduction
Do eco conscious washing up liquids really hold up against household favourites like Fairy? We put the top plant-based and mainstream brands head-to-head to find out which performs better—on dishes, not just promises.
Here’s how the best of each side stacks up.
Ecover (Eco) vs Fairy Original (Non-Eco)
Eco Pick: Ecover Washing up Liquid (chamomile and clementine)
• ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2/5
• 💷 Cost Value: ~£3.85 (950ml) or ~£12.76 (5L refill)
• 🫧 User Experience: Light citrus scent, nice suds, rinses well
• ⭐ Customer Feedback: “Smells great and does the job”
• ♻️ Eco Rating: 3.0/5 – Plant-based, recyclable, B Corp
• Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Non-Eco Pick: Fairy Platinum Plus Antibacterial
• ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.9 / 5
• 💷 Cost Value: ~£1.50 (383ml)
• 🫧 User Experience: Same long-lasting foam as original Fairy, with a subtle scent twist
• ⭐ Customer Feedback: Trusted for daily use, praised for antibacterial reassurance—some say scent is slightly medicinal
• ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.9 / 5 – Not biodegradable, contains synthetic surfactants, non-refillable
• Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5 / 5)
💷 Cost Comparison: Ecover vs Fairy – The Numbers Don’t Lie
We worked it out in detail—and here’s how the maths shakes out when you buy both products in bulk:
Scenario:
- 1 bottle of Ecover (950ml) + 1 refill (5L) = £16.61 total for 5.95L
- 1 bottle of Fairy Original (820ml) + 6 more = £21.00 total for 5.74L
➡️ Cost per 100ml:
- Ecover: £0.28
- Fairy: £0.37
That’s a £4.39 overall saving with Ecover—despite Fairy being seen as the “value” option.
And it gets better:
You might think buying Fairy in bulk would tip the balance. But even Fairy Antibacterial Plus (4L refill) costs £21.64 on Amazon—and you’re still nearly 2 litres short compared to the Ecover setup.
Verdict: A smaller gap than you’d expect
Fairy Original still sets the standard for pure cleaning power and unbeatable value. But Ecover holds its own, offering strong performance, pleasant scent, and refillable options—with far less environmental impact.
The difference in raw cleaning strength is noticeable if you’re tackling baked-on trays or oily pans—but for most households, Ecover is a genuinely competitive alternative. The gap between eco and non-eco is narrowing fast.
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FAQ
Are these scores based on the same criteria as your Top 10?
Yes. In this comparison, both products are scored using the same absolute criteria we apply in the Top 10 Dishwashing Products post. This ensures the comparison reflects real-world performance, not just how each product stacks up within its own category.
Is Ecover worth the switch?
If you’re looking to reduce plastic and avoid harsh ingredients without sacrificing too much cleaning performance, yes. Ecover is one of the few eco products that competes directly with top mainstream brands.
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All products are reviewed independently and scored using our own criteria—see our How We Rank page for full details.
Consumers Lens 