Aldi's Budget-Friendly Stain Remover Triumphs in Independent Consumer Test
In a comprehensive evaluation of laundry stain removal products, Aldi's affordable spray has emerged as a top performer, matching the effectiveness of significantly more expensive name brands. The consumer advocacy group Choice conducted rigorous testing on 43 different products, including 20 pre-treater sprays and 23 stain remover powders, to determine which options deliver the best results for common household stains.
Spray Stain Removers: Budget Options Shine
The testing revealed particularly interesting results in the pre-treater spray category, where Aldi's Di-San Pro Ultra Degreaser With Enzymes achieved an impressive 78% overall score. This placed it equal-first with Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains, despite the Aldi product costing considerably less at just 28¢ per 100ml compared to Sard's $1.90 per 100ml.
Chris Barnes, Choice's senior product officer, emphasised the value proposition: "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." The testing covered a wide range of common stains including sweat, grass, mud, cooking oil, chocolate ice-cream, tomato, baby food, blood, and makeup.
Other supermarket own-brand sprays also performed strongly in the evaluation. Aldi's Di-San Pro Oxy With Enzymes secured third place with a 75% score, followed closely by Coles Ultra Pre-wash Stain Remover at 73% and Woolworths Clean Ultimate Oil & Grime With Enzymes Pre-wash Stain Remover at 72%. Remarkably, only one other brand name spray besides Sard managed to score above 70% - White King Fabric Stain Lift Colour Safe Pre-Treatment achieved 73%.
Powder Products: Name Brands Maintain Dominance
The results presented a different picture for stain remover powders, where established name brands maintained their traditional advantage. Barnes noted: "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."
The top-performing pre-soak powders were dominated by Sard and Vanish products. Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains Antibacterial Soaker led the category with a 76% score, followed by Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker at 75%, and Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover at 73%.
Rigorous Testing Methodology
Choice employed scientific methods to ensure accurate and consistent results across all products tested. Researchers used pre-stained fabric swatches manufactured specifically for testing purposes, ensuring each stain type was identical in colour and darkness. After applying products according to their directions, technicians measured whiteness using a spectrometer rather than relying on visual assessment alone.
Barnes explained the precision of their approach: "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." This objective measurement system provided reliable data for comparing product effectiveness across different stain types.
Practical Application Advice
The testing also yielded practical guidance for consumers dealing with different types of laundry challenges. Barnes recommended pre-soaker powders for treating entire soiled garments before washing, suggesting they're ideal for situations like "[when] the kids have just come back from footy and their jerseys and pants are just filthy."
For smaller, specific stains, spray products offer targeted effectiveness. Barnes highlighted their suitability for spot cleaning grimy collars or addressing accidental spills like "dropped some ice-cream on the front." This practical advice helps consumers match product types to their specific laundry needs.
The comprehensive testing demonstrates that consumers don't necessarily need to pay premium prices for effective stain removal. With supermarket own-brands performing strongly against established names, particularly in the spray category, budget-conscious shoppers have viable alternatives that deliver comparable results for common household stains.
