Top 10 Best Washing Up Liquids in the UK 2021

To begin, we'll look at the different things to bear in mind when choosing a washing up liquid. In particular, given the greater importance paid to environmental considerations by many consumers, we're going to focus on ways you can be sure your liquid is as green as possible, and as good for you as it is for your dishes.

When choosing a washing up liquid that will hopefully last you several weeks or even months, it's definitely worth going for one with a smell you'll enjoy, or at the very least won't mind. A sickly-sweet or overly fragranced scent could make an often gruelling task even less enjoyable, or even put you off doing the dishes completely!

Luckily there's a lot of variety in the scents on offer, with some companies making their carefully-crafted aromas a key selling point. If you're more interested in keeping things clean and neutral, however - or you just want to keep the chemical count to a minimum - there are plenty of perfume/fragrance-free washing up liquids on the market.

One thing we should make clear from the outset – there is no evidence to suggest that any of the washing up liquids on our list are safer to humans than others. All washing up liquids sold in the UK are subject to strict regulations, and meet the same minimum standards for toxicity and biodegradability. Nor are any of the products on our list tested on animals.

However, some of you may prefer to use a washing up liquid that does not contain ingredients derived from petrochemicals. Our dependence on crude oil as a source of energy and materials is problematic for many, and a shift to more natural ingredients in cleaning products is seen as a way to move beyond this.

Petrochemical ingredients also take longer to break down, and can pose a threat to marine life. Furthermore, more natural ingredients are likely to be less aggravating to those with sensitive skin. Lots of good reasons to pay attention to what goes in to your washing up liquid!

Our use of plastics, and where they end up after we're done with them, has been the source of a great deal of consumer concern and guilt in recent years. So it's no surprise that for many washing up liquid manufacturers, the materials they use to make their bottles, and how easily they can be recycled once they're empty are touted as big selling points.

Unlike a lot of other packaging used in supermarkets, the plastic used to make most washing up liquid bottles is, thankfully, readily recycled in this country, and most of the bottles on our list can be recycled. 

What differs more greatly is the use of recycled materials in the production of bottles, with some companies using 100% recycled materials, others a small percentage, and some using none. If it's important to you, it may be worth finding out which of these it is. 

Some more ethically and environmentally-minded companies have gone one step further in the war on plastic waste and offer different refill options. If you're really serious about cutting down on plastic then this could be a deciding factor when choosing a washing up liquid, but it's also a great way to save money, as these refills are usually cheaper.

There are two different types of refill schemes. Under the first, you can purchase large containers of the washing up liquid yourself online and top your bottle up at home. 

The second more ambitious (and even greener) scheme sees the liquid being shipped in vats direct to certain stockists, allowing shoppers to pop along and refill their bottles in store, saving even more packaging. Such schemes may not be available in your area yet, but they are slowly being rolled out to more and more locations around the country.

Having gone through what to look for in a washing up liquid, it's now time to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to our top 10 best washing up liquids.

Washing up is one of life's menial tasks, but that's not to say that there aren't questions about the logistics of using washing up liquid that we've all felt too embarrassed to ask. So we've answered them for you.

This can largely depend on the number of dishes you need to clean. An amount the size of a 2p coin should cover your typical after dinner load; you should also keep in mind that even after those fluffy suds disappear, the liquid is still there doing its job.

Not all washing up liquids are antibacterial, but they will still kill most of the bacteria from what you are cleaning. The antibacterial aspect usually only serves to bolster the protection from germ buildup on the sponge itself. That said, you should always remember to remove excess water from the sponge once you’ve finished. 

While the substances that makeup washing up liquid are considered hazardous, accidentally ingesting a small amount shouldn’t do any harm. However, if a large amount is consumed, it may result in nausea and vomiting; if this occurs, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to be on the safe side.

Now you know the things to look out for when searching for a washing up liquid, why not take a look at our other recommendations for everything your need to whip your home into shape. 

Thanks for joining us for a look through the top 10 best washing up liquids in the UK. Whether it's eco credentials, raw brute cleaning power, or cost-effectiveness that's most important to you, we trust you've found something on our list that will find a place in your kitchen. The only thing left to decide is whose turn it is to do the dishes!