Think eco means compromise? Not here. We put one of the UK’s most innovative eco sprays—Smol—up against a tried-and-tested budget classic—Astonish—in a straight shootout.
No eco bias. No branding points. Just performance, value, and user experience.
Eco credentials are noted, but not factored into the scoring. This is about whether a refillable, plastic-free spray can genuinely compete with a traditional supermarket cleaner—on cleaning power, cost per use, and real-life practicality.
Because if it can? The switch is on!
🧴 The Contenders
Smol Multi-Purpose Spray
🔁 Refillable available (reusable bottle + tablets)
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 / 5
- 📖 Cost per Use: ~£1.00 per refill tablet (500ml)
- 🪧 User Experience: Sleek design, subtle scent, easy refill system
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Loved for sustainability, compact storage, and ease of use
- ♻️ Eco Credentials: 4.0 / 5 – Plastic-free refills, refillable, low-waste
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3 / 5)
✅ Best for: Daily clean-ups on hard surfaces
Astonish Anti-Bacterial Surface Cleaner
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 / 5
- 📖 Cost per Use: ~£1.00 (750ml)
- 🪧 User Experience: Familiar spray format, functional and effective
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Consistently praised for value and reliability
- ♻️ Eco Credentials: 2.0 / 5 – Vegan, cruelty-free, recyclable bottle
- ★ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.4 / 5)
✅ Best for: All-round household use (kitchens & bathrooms)
♻️ About the Eco Scores
We use a 5-point eco scale:
- 5/5 – Fully eco-led (plant-based, biodegradable, refillable)
- 4/5 – Eco-conscious, with some limitations
- 3/5 – Conventional but includes responsible features (e.g. recyclable, vegan)
- 2/5 – Minimal eco features
- 1/5 – No sustainability claims or features
🧴 Astonish: Making Progress
Astonish may not market itself as an eco brand—but it’s not ignoring the movement either.
It’s:
- ✅ Vegan and cruelty-free
- ✅ Packaged in recyclable plastic
- ❌ Still a single-use format with a conventional formula
That earns it a fair 3/5 eco score—a sign that even the most value-focused brands are evolving.
🌿 Smol: A Genuine No-Brainer
Smol doesn’t just offer a refillable eco option—it offers it at the same price and cleaning power as a standard spray.
That’s a rare combination. Most eco products still come with trade-offs in performance or cost. Smol skips the compromise completely.
It’s stylish, low-waste, easy to store, and surprisingly effective for everyday cleaning.
🧼 Verdict
Same power. Same price. A load off your conscience.
If you’re even thinking about going greener, this is the easiest place to start.
No effort, no compromise—and surprisingly little cost difference.
Astonish is still a solid, no-fuss staple. It’s versatile, dependable, and widely available.
But Smol proves that eco products don’t have to mean a step down in performance or a jump in price. In fact, it might be the most obvious switch you’ll make all year.
Related Posts
Top 5 Eco Multi-Surface Sprays
Top 10 Multi-Surface Sprays in the UK
FAQ – Scoring system
- Scored:
- ✨ Cleaning Power
- 🪧 User Experience
- ⭐ Customer Feedback
- Not Scored:
- 📖 Cost per Use
- ♻️ Eco Credentials
- Why:
These are head-to-head performance comparisons. We test whether an eco product can hold its own against a mainstream cleaner without eco points or cost bias.
You get a fair, no-frills look at what works best—while still seeing price and sustainability info clearly laid out.
🔍 Disclaimer
All products in this comparison were reviewed using publicly available information, customer feedback, and real-world testing where applicable. Prices and availability are accurate at the time of writing but may vary. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—at no cost to you—if you choose to make a purchase through them.
Consumers Lens 