11 best washing up liquids, tested on multiple loads of greasy plates and burnt-on food

Score: 89/100

Fairy’s Skip The Soak Power Spray is a convenient and surprisingly powerful alternative to traditional washing-up liquid, and it impressed both our experts and testers. Designed to be sprayed directly onto dirty dishes, it foams up instantly and starts working on contact — no soaking or scrubbing required for most everyday stains.

In our lab tests, it made light work of dried-on tomato, lipstick, tea stains and even tough grime like burnt-on jam and egg, particularly after a brief soak. On greasy plates, it removed residue effectively but required slightly more scrubbing than liquid alternatives, and a sponge worked better than paper towels to remove any leftover product. Still, no staining or redepositing remained after rinsing.

Testers appreciated the generous foam, light clean scent and ease of use. The trigger spray delivered a fine, even mist that was easy to direct, and many liked the dual-purpose design for use on dishes and kitchen surfaces. The bottle was also praised for its smart look and ergonomic grip. Some found the foam didn’t always cling long enough to surfaces and felt the packaging could make its purpose clearer.

Despite these minor drawbacks, this is a handy, innovative option for quick clean-ups and smaller loads — ideal for busy households or anyone keen to cut down on time at the sink.

Score: 88/100

Ecover’s new Power Washing Up Liquid offers extra cleaning strength while staying true to the brand’s eco-friendly ethos. It’s made with a plant-based, biodegradable formula and packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable plastic. Refill options are available, too.

The herbal bergamot and sage fragrance was a hit with panellists, who said it was a “lovely scent and wasn’t too overpowering”. Many also praised how gentle the formula was – even for those with dry, sensitive skin – saying they could wash up frequently without gloves and experience no irritation.

In our tests, it delivered strong results on everyday washing up, requiring less scrubbing than Ecover’s winning Camomile & Clementine Washing Up Liquid. The suds don’t last as long though, and several at-home testers found this liquid less foamy than their usual brand.

It excelled at grease removal and our crockery was left squeaky clean – although egg-stained cutlery and glasses covered in tomato juice needed some extra attention. We liked the thick consistency and found that suds formed quickly and rinsed away easily – we’d just prefer them to last longer.

Score: 86/100

Elbow Grease’s Lemon Power Degreaser packs a punch at a purse-friendly price. Living up to its bold look, this yellow liquid impressed in both lab and panel testing for its grease-cutting power and effective performance on dried-on food. It’s gentle on hands, has a fresh citrus scent, and delivers a reliable clean with just a small amount of product.

In our fat removal test, it achieved full marks, cleaning all 12 plates with no redepositing. Lipstick and tomato stains lifted easily from glassware, while porridge, egg and spinach came off with minimal scrubbing — though a bit more effort was needed on bowls and plates. The formula rinsed away cleanly, leaving dishes and kitchen surfaces looking fresh.

Testers appreciated how economical it was to use, noting that a little went a long way. It was also praised for being soft on skin, easy to hold, and having an efficient dispenser. However, the foaming ability divided opinion, with some finding the bubbles disappeared too quickly. A few also felt the bright yellow colour and simple packaging looked a little cheap beside their sink.

Still, for a budget buy that tackles grease head-on, this washing-up liquid delivers far more than its price tag suggests.

Score: 81/100

Method’s Peach & Pink Pepper washing up liquid makes a bold first impression, with its striking pink hue and uniquely fresh fragrance. Panellists loved the scent, describing it as clean and refreshing rather than overly fruity, and appreciated that it lingered pleasantly on dishes without being overpowering. Its plant-based, biodegradable formula and fully recyclable bottle also earned it eco brownie points.

In the lab, it performed very well on grease, removing all traces of lard from 12 out of 12 plates. It handled general food mess with ease too, including wine and tomato stains on glasses and mugs. However, it struggled a little with heavier residues like egg and porridge on cutlery and spinach on bowls, which needed extra scrubbing to shift.

The pump-action bottle proved divisive — some found it tidy and convenient for dispensing the right amount, while others preferred a traditional squeezy bottle. Foam production was decent for a more eco formula, although some panellists noted it didn’t last long during extended washing.

Overall, this is a stylish, gentle and more environmentally conscious option that smells great and tackles most washing-up jobs well. While it might not be the first choice for tackling baked-on mess, it’s a nice pick for everyday dishwashing.

Score: 81/100

ASDA’s Original Washing Up Liquid is another one that delivers solid everyday performance on a budget. Testers praised the nostalgic scent, bright green colour, and satisfying foam that built up quickly under running water. Dishes, mugs and glassware were left sparkling, and many users commented on just how visually clean everything looked with minimal effort.

In lab tests, it impressed on general cleaning tasks, easily removing tea, wine and tomato stains from crockery and glassware. Porridge and spinach residues also lifted easily, though some tougher stains, particularly on cutlery, needed a bit more scrubbing. It removed grease from nine out of 12 plates in our fat removal test, but light redepositing was seen on a few — so this may not be the best option for particularly greasy loads.

Panellists appreciated how easy the bottle was to hold and use, though some found the liquid a little runny, leading to overuse. While the bottle’s design was described as “basic”, the performance belied its modest looks. A few users also noted the foam could be excessive, requiring extra rinsing.

Overall, ASDA’s washing up liquid proved itself to be a reliable, no-frills cleaner.

Score: 78/100

The Lab Co.'s Energising Washing Up Liquid brings a premium feel to more eco-friendly dishwashing, with a refreshing fragrance and sleek, fully recyclable packaging. Panellists were quick to praise its uplifting scent and skin-friendly formula, with many saying they didn’t need gloves even after repeated use. It left glassware gleaming and was a hit with those looking for a gentle, more sustainable solution.

It performed well on general food stains like tomato, spinach and tea, particularly on mugs and glassware. Egg and porridge residue on cutlery required more scrubbing, and the formula struggled a little with grease — only seven out of 12 plates were fully cleaned in the fat removal test, with a light film of lard visible on a few.

Panellists loved the bottle’s modern look, but found it a bit awkward to grip with wet hands. The biggest drawback for some was the low-foam formulation. While some appreciated the cleaner rinse, others missed the rich bubbles of traditional liquids and found they used more product to compensate.

Still, if you’re after a plant- and mineral-based formula that’s easy on hands and smells great, this is a stylish and effective everyday option — especially for lighter loads.

Score: 76/100

Testers appreciated Waitrose’s Essential Citrus Washing Up Liquid’s fresh lemon fragrance, easy-to-handle bottle and gentle-on-skin formula. It foamed well with lighter loads and left dishes and surfaces with a clean, citrusy finish — especially when used for quick soaks or general wipe-downs.

It performed reasonably well on fat removal in our tests, fully cleaning the majority of plates with only light redepositing on a few. It removed tea and lipstick stains with ease and handled porridge and egg on spoons well. However, it struggled slightly with more stubborn messes – tomato residue on tumblers and dried-on spinach required heavier scrubbing, particularly on forks and serving spoons.

While most testers were happy with the scent and cleaning ability, a few felt the formula was too runny and found themselves using more product than usual. It’s clearly positioned as a no-frills option, and the panel felt that showed in both performance and presentation.

Overall, this is a reliable choice for light daily washing up and offers good value at just 75p. It may not be the best for baked-on food or heavy grease, but for the price, it’s a hardworking essential that gets the job done.

Score: 74/100

Surcare’s Sensitive Washing Up Liquid has a skin-friendly formula. Fragrance-free and dermatologically approved, it’s free from dyes, acids, enzymes and perfumes — making it a reassuring choice for anyone with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema. Testers praised its mild formulation, reporting no irritation even after repeated use, and found it foamed well and rinsed off easily.

It performed reliably on everyday cleaning jobs, removing tea and light food stains with minimal fuss. Glassware and mugs came out sparkling, and the formula left no sticky residue behind. However, it didn’t fare as well on greasy dishes or tougher, burnt-on food. Just under half of our plates were fully cleaned in the fat removal test, with some thin layers of grease left behind. Protein-based stains like egg and spinach needed considerable scrubbing, particularly on cutlery.

While testers appreciated how little product was needed to get the job done, several were put off by the lack of scent, with some noting that lingering food smells remained on dishes post-wash. Still, for households prioritising gentleness over heavy-duty cleaning, Surcare is a budget-friendly and dependable option — just be prepared to work a bit harder on the tougher jobs.

Score: 73/100

Neat’s refillable washing up spray boasts stylish packaging and a fresh, plant-based formula. Designed for light washing up and spot-cleaning, it’s best suited to smaller jobs or households that wash dishes one-by-one rather than filling the sink. Testers loved the sleek reusable bottle, citrus scent and the way it left dishes and hands feeling fresh and clean.

It performed well on general grime and lightly soiled items, with the majority of plates left clean in our fat removal test. It handled glasses, mugs and cutlery with ease, and softened mess on Pyrex and eggy pots, though some scrubbing was still required. However, it struggled on tomato and spinach stains, particularly on vertical surfaces like bowls, where the foam didn’t cling as well as needed.

While the spray mechanism makes it convenient for tackling one or two items, it fell short when it came to heavier cleaning sessions. Panellists noted that it lacked long-lasting foam, and many felt they used more product than expected — making it less practical for larger loads.

Ultimately, this is a thoughtfully designed option ideal for quick cleans or pre-treating dishes before a full wash. For those keen to reduce plastic waste without compromising on aesthetics, it’s a clever, gentle alternative — just keep the heavy-duty liquid close by for greasier jobs.