You won't believe what's topping the charts for stain removal! It turns out, the cheapest laundry stain remover spray you can grab from a major Australian supermarket isn't just budget-friendly – it's also one of the top performers in a recent test by consumer advocacy group Choice. Who knew saving money could be so effective?
Choice put 23 stain remover powders and 20 pre-treater sprays through their paces, tackling a range of common garment woes. We're talking about everyday culprits like sweat, grass, and mud, plus trickier foes such as cooking oil, chocolate ice-cream, tomato, baby food, blood, and makeup. They really put these products to the test!
Now, let's get to the good stuff. In the pre-treater spray category, a real contender emerged: Aldi's Di-San Pro Ultra Degreaser With Enzymes. This powerhouse scored a solid 78% overall, earning it a joint first place with Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains. So, you've got two champions battling it out!
When it came to specific stains like sweat, olive oil, baby food, and those stubborn collar grimes, the results were incredibly close. However, the Sard spray did show a slight edge when it came to conquering blood stains. But here's where the real magic happens for your wallet: the Aldi product is a fraction of the price!
For just 28¢ per 100ml (or a mere $2.09 a bottle), the Aldi Di-San is significantly more affordable than the Sard spray, which clocks in at $1.90 per 100ml (or a hefty $8 a bottle). As Chris Barnes, Choice's senior product officer, pointed out, "If you’re on a budget, it’s hard to justify why you’ll spend so much on a Sard spray when you could get an Aldi one which is just as good." That's a powerful statement for savvy shoppers!
And it's not just the top-tier Aldi spray that impressed. Other budget-friendly supermarket options also held their own. Aldi's Di-San Pro Oxy With Enzymes snagged third place with a 75% score and a $2.09 price tag. Following closely were Coles Ultra Pre-wash Stain Remover at 73% (for $2.10) and Woolworths Clean Ultimate Oil & Grime With Enzymes Pre-wash Stain Remover, also at 72% (and $2.10).
Interestingly, beyond the top-performing Sard product, only one other brand-name spray managed to score over 70%. White King Fabric Stain Lift Colour Safe Pre-Treatment (at $5 a bottle, or $1 per 100ml) achieved a respectable 73%. This really highlights that you don't always need to break the bank for effective cleaning.
But here's where it gets controversial... When it comes to stain remover powders, the story is a bit different. Barnes noted that, "With powders, what we’ve usually found in the past is some of the cheapest supermarket brands perform better or as well as big name brands. We didn’t quite see that this time." So, for powders, it seems sticking with brand names might actually pay off.
The top spots in the pre-soak powder category were indeed dominated by Sard and Vanish. Leading the pack was Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains Antibacterial Soaker with an impressive 76% score and a unit price of $1.22 per 100g. Hot on its heels were Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker (at 75% and $1.10 per 100g) and Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover (at 73% and $1.70 per 100g).
And this is the part most people miss... How did Choice actually test these products? They used specially manufactured fabric swatches, ensuring that each swatch for a particular stain, like sweat, was exactly the same colour and darkness. This scientific approach meant they weren't just relying on guesswork. After applying the products according to instructions, they measured the reflectance of light off the fabric using a spectrometer. "It’s not just an eyeball [test]. You actually do measure the reflectance of light off it… and therefore how much of the stain has been removed," Barnes explained. This ensures a truly objective assessment.
So, when should you reach for a spray versus a powder? Barnes offered some great advice: pre-soaker powders are perfect for tackling heavily soiled items, like a whole load of kids' sports gear after a muddy game. Think "when the kids have just come back from footy and their jerseys and pants are just filthy." On the other hand, sprays are your go-to for spot cleaning those smaller, more immediate accidents – like a smudge on your shirt or a drip of ice-cream on your front. "Dropped some ice-cream on the front," he said, perfectly illustrating their use.
What do you think? Does this change your go-to stain remover strategy? Are you surprised by the performance of the budget-friendly options? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
