Fairy
A very good washing up liquid and, despite being the most expensive of all those tested, it scored high in most of the areas. As a group of five women with a serious amount of dirty dishes, we found that cleaning wise, Fairy scored top marks but unfortunately is pegged back by the time it takes to rinse off as it is so concentrated. There is no disputing its power to tackle dirty dishes and create foam but perhaps some of the brainiacs back in the lab should try and find a way to make it more liquidy.
Price: 99 cents for 500ml
Rating: ****
Pril
A great liquid that is easily as good as Fairy. The liquid takes less time to rinse and is also excellent value for money. Along with Palmolive, Pril has an excellent cap that is easy to open and it does not gunge up. Thumps up all around. It managed to topple Fairy with its easy rinsing and lets face it, its great price, half of that of Fairy, most definitely makes it our winner.
Price: 45 cents for 500ml
Rating: *****
Active
An unknown brand to most of us, but it was surprisingly good and effective. You need to use a bit more liquid for the same amount of dishes compared to Fairy and Pril. However, it worked wonders on those hard to wash dishes and pots that have food literally stuck onto them. Alas, the extra amount needed means points off I’m afraid.
Price: 59 cents for 500ml
Rating: ***
Palmolive
Good and effective and works almost as well as our two top runners. Extra applause to the bottle cap, which along with that of Pril, leads the flight with its great easy to open cap. No chance of getting washing up liquid squirted in your eyes here.
Price: 68 cents for 500ml
Rating: ****
Morning Fresh
The cap on this was awful and almost got torpedoed by a goop of liquid on the first attempt. Although the liquid itself was pretty effective on the dishes and cutlery it does have one nasty side-effect. It tends to leave the sponge all greasy after use and not because of the dishes. A disappointing 2 I’m afraid.
Price: 76 cents for 500ml
Rating: **
Evrika
This local brand was not able to cut the mustard with its international competitors. Although it works adequately on dishes, it is nowhere near as good on the very dirty items. Because it scored adequate to poor in other areas, Evrika has unfortunately been given the raspberry award from the pack. Washing the souvla off a plate with Evrika is about as productive eating as eating souvla with a knife and fork.
Price: 72 cents for 500ml
Rating: *
Azax
Ajax was another competitor that left us agonizingly disappointed when put to our test. Despite an impeccable reputation abroad (as we all know sisters), Azax scored low points on its efficiency test on dishes. Despite so much of our hopes riding its shoulders, the powerhouse of dirty dishes combat scored a lowly 2. Still, it could give Evrika some hope!
Price: 82 cents for 500ml
Rating: **
