Liquid detergent: the bulk format no longer saves you money

Liquid detergent: when the bulk format stops saving you money

Is it worth paying more for a large jug of liquid detergent? The answer, which once seemed obvious, no longer is. As one consumer recounts on a forum, Alcampo's 4-litre bulk-format liquid detergent —made by Químicas Oro de Madrid for Auchan— suddenly went up by one euro, while the regular 2-litre bottle kept its price unchanged. The result: today it is cheaper to buy two small bottles than one large one. A commercial absurdity that breaks the age-old logic and pushes shoppers to re-examine the whole shelf.

The case was raised by a consumer who had been using that product for years after comparing it with traditional brands like Skip Liquid Concentrate, which, as far as they remembered, worked out at almost 30 cents per dose, versus the 12 cents of the Alcampo one. When the brand improved the formulation and went from 40 to 53 washes per jug, the improvement was real. Until the price hike came along.

How much each wash costs by brand

The figures quoted by regular shoppers span a wide range. Lidl's Formil Marseille soap, in a 30-dose format, came in at 3.68 euros, putting the wash below 13 cents. Ariel Actilift liquid bought at large stores once a year drops to 17 cents per wash in a 10-litre jug, according to one user. The Alcampo detergent stays at 12 cents per dose if you buy two 2-litre bottles.

Some argue the key is not just price. Cleaning depends on the combination of machine and soap: a product that performs well in an old Fagor may disappoint in a modern Bosch. The Alcampo detergent, according to several users, stands out precisely for its versatility across washing machines of different generations, from a nearly 20-year-old Fagor to an AEG A+++ at 1,400 rpm.

Vinegar as fabric softener: old trick, new debate

Against commercial fabric softener, which some participants say coats the fibres with waxes and silicones to create a feeling of softness, some consumers have gone back to vinegar. It is used in the rinse cycle, at a dose of three tablespoons or even the same amount previously taken up by the softener. Those who defend it claim it leaves no smell and also helps remove detergent residue and limescale from the washing machine.

Día Aroma Talco fabric softener, at under two euros, comes across as the mildest-scented option. Mercadona's Bosque Verde and Alcampo's own, at 1.89 euros for two litres, complete the podium of the cheapest ones.

Homemade soap and local brands: the alternative route

Beyond the shelves, some people make their own soap with potash, used oil and water, adding an infusion of lavender flowers for scent. The result works as dish soap and all-purpose cleaner, and those who use it say it does not dry out their hands. Others turn to local producers like Jabones Beltrán, with five litres of coconut soap at 6.50 euros at the factory, which, according to its customers, needs no softener and leaves no residue in the filter.

The practical conclusion is uncomfortable: the large format is no longer synonymous with savings. Time to do the maths every time you head to the supermarket, because the label no longer guarantees anything.