I tried six supermarket hand soaps – one was a clear winner and a lot cheaper

When it comes to safeguarding my family’s health, I prefer an antibacterial liquid hand wash that not only cleans but also protects us. Additionally, I want a product that keeps our hands soft and smooth without breaking the bank, as we tend to use it quite frequently.

Carex is a reputable and trusted brand, but it costs more than double many supermarket own-brand versions. Therefore, I decided to purchase bottles of hand wash from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons to see if any could match Carex’s quality at a lower price.

I ensured that I bought the budget version from each brand and, where possible, chose those with antibacterial properties. It’s challenging to measure the benefits of this in a product test, so I compared them based on value for money, scent, and how my hands felt after using them, reports Birmingham Live.

Carex Complete Antibacterial Hand Wash

Priced at £1.80 for 500ml from Morrisons, Carex Complete Antibacterial Hand Wash equates to 36p per 100ml. Carex aims to ‘clean and care for your skin’, claiming to kill 99 percent of bacteria and protect your skin’s ‘natural antibacterial defences for two hours’ post-washing.

The bottle is large and sturdy, and the pump action worked well. The scent didn’t linger; I couldn’t smell it on my hands after washing, but my hands did feel soft.

I rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

Tesco Extracts Eucalyptus Antibacterial Hand Wash

Priced at 75p for a 500ml bottle, Tesco’s Extracts Eucalyptus Antibacterial Hand Wash equates to 15p per 100ml, matching Aldi’s price. However, the pump on this bottle was faulty and wouldn’t dispense any soap.

Despite numerous attempts by various family members, we eventually gave up and transferred the soap into another dispenser. Unfortunately, we were then disappointed by the scent.

The fragrance reminded me of toilet disinfectant. While this might be a matter of personal preference (Jo Malone, for instance, has a range of eucalyptus fragrances that I’m sure are lovely), it wasn’t the aroma I wanted when washing my hands.

It was reminiscent of the smell my grandmother used to clean her bathroom.

Interestingly, many reviews on the Tesco website also complained about the faulty pump, so it seems I wasn’t just unlucky. I rated it zero out of 5 stars.

Aldi Hygiene Protecting Antibacterial Hand Wash

Aldi’s Lacura Extra Hygiene Protecting Antibacterial Hand Wash is also priced at 75p for a 500ml bottle, working out to 15p per 100ml. The bottle carries the message ‘clean, care and protect’.

This soap had a pleasant smell, good consistency, and left a nice fragrance on my hands. The pump worked flawlessly, and the formula didn’t dry out my skin.

I was impressed, especially considering the price, and gave it a full 5 out of 5 stars.

Morrisons Essentials White Blossom Hand Wash

Morrisons Essentials White Blossom Hand Wash is priced at 65p for a 500ml bottle, equating to 13p per 100ml. It seems that Morrisons only offers one own-brand hand wash, and there was no mention of it having antibacterial properties, which was a letdown.

The product had a delightful floral scent and was significantly cheaper than the others. I appreciated its white colour, as it would blend in with any kitchen or bathroom decor.

However, it featured a squirt bottle lid instead of a pump, which I found less hygienic as you have to handle the bottle each time you use it. I rated it 2 out of 5 stars.

Sainsbury’s Collection Hand Wash

Sainsbury’s Collection Hand Wash is priced at £1.40 for a 500ml bottle, working out to 28p per 100ml. The bottle claims that the formula ‘kills 99 percent of bacteria’.

This product had a well-functioning pump action that was easy to use and didn’t splatter everywhere. I liked the ergonomic design of the bottle.

It had a subtle fragrance that lingered on my hands. While it didn’t leave my hands exceptionally soft, it didn’t dry them out either.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Lidl Antibacterial Hand Wash

Lidl Antibacterial Hand Wash costs 75p for a 500ml bottle, which works out to 15p per 100ml. I found this soap somewhat thin, almost as if it had been diluted.

There was barely any fragrance, and it left my hands feeling slightly dry. I rated it 2 out of 5 stars.

Final Verdict

The Aldi and Sainsbury’s soaps were more to my liking than the Carex brand, and they were both less expensive. However, considering the price, the Aldi soap was my overall winner.

It was £1.05 less per bottle compared to Carex and 65p cheaper than Sainsbury’s soap. I found it to be excellent value for money, long-lasting, and enjoyable to use.

I will definitely be purchasing it again.