Unbelievable Findings: The Cheapest Spray Shines in Stain Removal Test
A recent Choice product test has revealed a surprising winner in the realm of stain removal sprays. The cheapest laundry stain remover from a major Australian supermarket, Aldi Di-San Pro Ultra Degreaser With Enzymes, has emerged as one of the top performers, scoring an impressive 78% overall.
The test, conducted by Choice, evaluated 23 stain remover powders and 20 pre-treater sprays against common stains like sweat, grass, mud, cooking oil, and stubborn stains from chocolate ice-cream, tomato, baby food, blood, and makeup. Aldi's spray tied for first place with Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains.
Despite its competitive performance, Aldi's product is a steal at 28 cents per 100ml, or $2.09 per bottle, compared to the Sard spray's $1.90 for 100ml or $8 per bottle. Choice senior product officer Chris Barnes commented, 'For budget-conscious consumers, it's hard to justify spending more on Sard when Aldi's spray is just as effective.'
Other affordable supermarket sprays also performed well. Aldi Di-San Pro Oxy With Enzymes came in third with a 75% score and a $2.09 price tag. Coles Ultra Pre-wash Stain Remover ($2.10) and Woolworths Clean Ultimate Oil & Grime With Enzymes Pre-wash Stain Remover (also $2.10) scored 73% and 72%, respectively.
Interestingly, only one other brand-name spray scored above 70%, with White King Fabric Stain Lift Colour Safe Pre-Treatment at $5 per bottle or $1 for 100ml, achieving a 73%. However, when it comes to stain remover powders, brand names proved more reliable.
Sard and Vanish dominated the top-performing pre-soak powders. Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains Antibacterial Soaker scored 76% and $1.22 per 100g. Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker followed with 75% and $1.10 per 100g. Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover scored 73% and $1.70 per 100g.
The test involved spraying and soaking pre-stained fabric swatches, followed by a spectrometer-measured whiteness comparison. Barnes explained, 'With these swatches, each stain is identical in color and darkness, ensuring an accurate assessment of stain removal.'
For consumers unsure about spray or soak methods, Barnes recommends pre-soaker powders for treating entire soiled garments before washing. Sprays, on the other hand, are ideal for spot-cleaning smaller stains like grimy collars or ice-cream spills.
