Consumer group Choice has found that Aldi's Logix Platinum 18 in 1 Dishwashing Tablets, priced at just 19 cents per wash, outperformed more expensive brands in a recent test of 40 dishwasher detergents. The Aldi product scored 79%, beating two Finish detergents that scored 77%, including one nearly ten times the price.
The test involved washing evenly pre-soiled plates imported from the Netherlands, featuring stains like egg yolk, bolognese sauce, and melted cheese. Each detergent was scored based on effectiveness. The worst performer was Lucent Globe Ultra Concentrated Dishwashing Detergent Sheets, scoring 12%—the same as plain water.
Choice's director of reviews and testing, Matthew Steen, noted that plain water was more effective than the Lucent Globe sheets at removing red wine and egg yolk. He added that environmentally friendly products sometimes underperform due to lacking harsh chemicals used by other brands.
Other poor performers included Somat Excellence Duo Power Gel Active Degreasers at 45% and Ecostore Dishwasher Powder Lemon at 49%. Woolworths and Coles own-brand powders scored 50%. This is the second consecutive year an Aldi brand has topped Choice's test.
Steen advised consumers not to buy in bulk, as detergents have a short shelf life and performance can decline over time. He recommended limiting purchases to a year's supply.
