Budget Champion Beats Big Brands: Cheapest Spray Tops CHOICE Stain Remover Test

Australia’s leading consumer watchdog CHOICE has released a sweeping test of laundry stain removers — and the results have put a tiny-budget spray at the top of the leaderboard, showing that the cheapest product tested can perform just as well as, or in some cases better than, pricier alternatives. The findings have quickly sparked interest among consumers looking to save money without sacrificing performance on tough everyday stains.

Aldi’s Budget Spray Shocks Testing Experts

In the latest round of product testing, CHOICE evaluated dozens of stain remover products to see how effectively they lifted a wide range of common stains — including grass, mud, tomato, sweat, makeup and oil — from fabric swatches under controlled conditions. What emerged was unexpected: Aldi’s Di-San Pro Ultra Degreaser With Enzymes, a spray costing just about $2.09 per bottle, tied for the highest overall score in the spray category with much more expensive competitors.

Both the Aldi spray and the Sard Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains achieved a CHOICE expert rating of 78 per cent, making them the joint leaders in stain performance. Yet the cost difference is striking: Aldi’s offering works out to roughly 28 cents per 100 mL, less than a sixth of Sard’s roughly $1.90 per 100 mL.

CHOICE’s household expert, Chris Barnes, said the results underscore that “you can spend far less and still get effective stain removal,” particularly for everyday laundry mishaps.

How the Test Was Conducted

CHOICE’s testing involved applying standardised stain mixtures to fabric swatches — replicating everyday laundry problems such as tomato sauce, baby food spills, grass and mud — then treating with each product according to its instructions before laundering. Results were assessed visually and with scientific tools to compare the relative effectiveness of each product in removing the stains.

The sprays were tested separately from powder soakers (products designed to be mixed with water and soak garments), and the results showed very different dynamics between the two categories. While supermarket own-brand sprays fared extremely well, the top-scoring powders were dominated by established brands such as Sard and Vanish.

Affordable Options Across the Board

Beyond the standout Aldi spray, other supermarket own-brand sprays also performed strongly in CHOICE’s line-up:

• Aldi Di-San Pro Oxy With Enzymes — scored 75 per cent at a similar bargain price.
• Coles Ultra Pre-Wash Stain Remover — delivered a 73 per cent rating.
• Woolworths Clean Ultimate Oil & Grime With Enzymes Pre-wash Stain Remover — scored 72 per cent.
• White King Fabric Stain Lift Colour Safe Pre-Treatment — an outlier among the pricier sprays, scoring 73 per cent at about $1 per 100 mL.

These results suggest that shoppers willing to consider non-name-brand options can cut costs significantly — often by more than 80 per cent — without a major drop in stain removal performance.

Powders Still Lead for Deep Soaks

While the spray category delivered some surprising budget winners, the powder soaker category told a slightly different story. Brand-name products dominated the top scores for pre-wash soaking power, especially on very stubborn stains. Sard’s Super Power Stain Remover Toughest Stains Antibacterial Soaker led with 76 per cent, followed closely by Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker at 75 per cent, and Vanish’s NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Advanced around 73 per cent.

CHOICE noted that powders generally excel at penetrating and lifting deeper or larger stains, particularly when garments are soaked before washing. But for everyday pre-wash sprays — such as when a small splash requires quick treatment — budget sprays can hold their own impressively.

Consumer Takeaway: Smart Shopping for Stains

For many Australians facing rising household costs, these results come as welcome news. Spending significantly less on stain remover sprays no longer necessarily means sacrificing effectiveness — especially for common stains encountered in everyday laundry.

CHOICE’s broader recommendations encourage consumers to match the type of product to their laundry needs: use sprays for spot-treating small stains, and powder soakers for more thorough pre-wash treatment of heavily soiled garments.

With the cost of stain removal no longer directly tied to performance in many cases, consumers can now make informed choices that save money while keeping clothes looking clean and fresh — a combination that’s hard to beat in today’s budget-minded shopping landscape.