Battle of the Budget Hand Soaps: Palmolive, Dettol, Tricare, Balnea, Coles

Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

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Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

  • Like
Reactions: siameezer
Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

I use the old fashioned bar soaps, and I am happy with them. Though I must add that they are much smaller than they used to be.
 
Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

  • Like
Reactions: magpie1
I prefer to use body wash instead of hand wash because it’s way cheaper, and body or hands it’s all just skin!
 
I don’t use any of those, I use Bosistos, owned and made in Oz, contains australian natives, and comes in large bottles to refill your squirter bottle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie
We started using these eco tablets from Woolworths where you initially buy the foaming bottles and then buy the tablets to refill they are all natural ingredients with no oils or fats to clog up your drains. I noticed my wife had bought a heap of boxes the other day and she said they were half price so maybe they might be going to discontinue selling them. They smell great and good for the environment Not buying plastic plastic to refill. Now we’ve probably got enough for a couple of years.
 

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my daughter prefers the Coles lime fresh, I use Tilley's soaps, hubby doesn't care as long as his hands are clean.
 
Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

  • Haha
Reactions: millicent haha
Have you ever wondered which budget hand soap is best? Sure, they all come in at a similar price, but is one secretly drying out your hands or clogging your sink? We thought we’d send in someone who values quality hand soap ingredients, is prone to dry skin and has plenty of experience clearing cheap soap out of drains.

At this stage, his name may be familiar. But just in case…

Meet Marty

My name is Marty. I am a male in my mid-fifties. I spent time in the Australian Defence Forces and for the last twenty-five-plus years as a Property Facilities Manager.

I have two grown-up children and one grandson. I enjoy riding Vespa scooters and playing miniature wargames, as I have done since my childhood. I exercise and drink alcohol regularly in healthy measure.



Let’s get started

Before I start the comparisons, let me tell you about how I went into a testing program for each product. I knew I couldn't just wash my hands for hours (but I did end up doing that, too). After reading the labels and seeing the things it said to do, i.e. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight—that made me want to find out what happens to it in direct sunlight.

So I used a muffin pan and lined it with aluminium foil, numbered each depression and pumped in squirts of soap to leave next to the window. A week later, I checked it, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting the results; see below…

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