About Domestos
Domestos: Britain's Trusted Bleach Brand Since 1929 Introduction to Domestos Domestos has been the backbone of British household hygiene since 1929, when it first promised to kill all known germs. That pledge — now proven at 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses — has made the distinctive blue bottle a fixture in bathrooms and kitchens across the UK for nearly a century. From a garden shed in Newcastle to a global brand sold in over 45 countries, Domestos represents British innovation in household cleaning. The thick bleach formula, Extended Power technology, and commitment to unstoppable germ-killing power have earned Domestos a third of the British bleach market. At Grocefully, we help you compare Domestos prices across UK retailers, ensuring you can maintain household hygiene at the best available prices. Whether you need Original thick bleach, Extended Power formulas, or toilet rim blocks, price comparison helps you keep your home germ-free for less. The Domestos Story: From Newcastle Garden Shed to Global Hygiene Brand Domestos represents quintessential British entrepreneurship. William Handley's Vision The story started in a garden shed in Newcastle in 1929. Twenty-five-year-old dental mechanic William Handley developed a solution of sodium hypochlorite for use as a steriliser and drain cleaner. His dental background gave him understanding of sterilisation and hygiene that most household product developers lacked. Handley knew what truly clean meant in clinical terms. The Name "Domestos" Handley chose the brand name carefully. "Domestos" combines the Latin "domus" meaning house with the Greek "osteon" meaning bone, suggesting "backbone of the home." This classical etymology reflected Handley's ambition: creating a product fundamental to household hygiene, not merely useful but essential. Door-to-Door Beginnings William Handley bought sodium hypochlorite from ICI Billingham and sold his solution door-to-door. The product was sold from large stoneware jars that salesmen refilled using special bicycle and hand carts. This direct selling model allowed Handley to explain the product's benefits personally whilst building a loyal customer base. Early uses included sterilising, drain cleaning, and even treating sore feet. The Hygiene Disinfectant Company Handley set up the Hygiene Disinfectant Company to formalise operations. Domestos was incorporated as a private company in 1936, and a factory was established at Albion Row in Byker, Newcastle. This formal business structure enabled scaling beyond door-to-door sales whilst maintaining the quality Handley's customers expected. National Expansion By 1952, Domestos was gaining significant market momentum and being sold nationally through retail outlets. The famous marketing slogan "Kills all known germs" launched — a catchphrase still synonymous with the brand today. This retail expansion transformed Domestos from regional speciality to national necessity. Unilever Acquisition W.A. Handley placed Domestos into a company valued at two hundred and fifty thousand pounds in 1957. Requiring expansion capital, Handley sold to Unilever for two and a half million pounds in 1961. Unilever lacked a bleach brand of its own and was attracted to Domestos's strong growth. The acquisition brought corporate resources whilst preserving the product's quality. The Blue Bottle In 1963, Domestos was repackaged in its distinctive blue bottle — the iconic design that remains recognisable today. This visual identity distinguished Domestos on retail shelves and became synonymous with powerful cleaning. Post-Acquisition Growth After the Unilever acquisition, Newcastle initially continued as the centre of production. There were 800 workers on the College Works site, and a one hundred thousand pound four-storey office building was commissioned. By 1968, Domestos held a third of the British bleach market — remarkable dominance from relatively recent national distribution. Production Move to Warrington In 1973, production moved from Newcastle to Warrington, ending Domestos's long association with its founding city. This relocation reflected Unilever's manufacturing consolidation whilst maintaining UK production. Global Brand Today From its 1929 origin story, Domestos has grown into a global brand sold in over 45 countries. Sometimes under different brand names — Domex in India and the Philippines, Glorix in the Netherlands, Vim in Vietnam, Argentina and Brazil, Klinex in Greece — the formula delivers consistent germ-killing power worldwide. The Domestos Product Range Domestos offers comprehensive bathroom and household hygiene solutions. Thick Bleach Range The core bleach products: Domestos Original: The iconic thick bleach in the blue bottle. Eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses. Works as toilet cleaner and multipurpose surface cleaner when diluted. Available in 750ml and larger professional formats. Domestos Ultra White: Enhanced whitening power for toilets and surfaces requiring stain removal alongside disinfection. Domestos Pink Power: Alternative variant with the same germ-killing power in distinctive pink packaging. Domestos Citrus Fresh: Citrus-scented formula for those preferring fragrance alongside cleaning power. All thick bleach variants deliver the proven germ-killing efficacy Domestos is known for. Extended Power Range Advanced long-lasting protection: Domestos Extended Power: The Extended Power formula gives longest-lasting protection from germs whilst preventing limescale build-up where germs grow. Originally branded "Thick Bleach," then "Domestos 24HR," now "Extended Germ-Kill." Professional Extended Power: Larger format (5L) for heavy-duty or commercial applications requiring sustained disinfection. Extended Power represents Domestos's innovation in providing ongoing protection between cleans. Toilet Rim Blocks Continuous toilet hygiene: Domestos Power 5: Rim blocks providing freshness even between flushes. Multiple action including cleaning, limescale prevention, stain removal, and freshness. Various fragrance options suit different bathroom preferences whilst delivering consistent hygiene benefits. Toilet Cleaners Targeted toilet cleaning: Domestos Zero Limescale: Specialist formula targeting limescale build-up in toilets. Toilet Duck and similar angled-bottle formats: Easy application under toilet rims. Gel formulas: Cling to toilet surfaces for extended contact time. Professional and Catering Larger formats for commercial use: 5 Litre Professional Packs: Economy sizing for businesses, cleaning contractors, and institutions. Bulk Supply Options: Available through catering and wholesale suppliers. Quality and Efficacy Understanding Domestos's cleaning power explains consumer trust. Sodium Hypochlorite Power Domestos's active ingredient — sodium hypochlorite — delivers proven disinfection. This chlorine-based bleach destroys bacterial and viral cell structures effectively. The science behind Domestos isn't marketing claim but established chemistry dating to nineteenth-century disinfection discoveries. 99.99% Germ Kill Domestos eliminates 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses — laboratory-verified efficacy exceeding most competitor claims. This near-total elimination provides genuine protection. "Kills All Known Germs" The famous slogan launched in 1952 remains relevant because it's true. Whilst careful to specify "known germs," the comprehensive efficacy justifies this bold claim. Extended Protection Extended Power formulas don't just clean but continue protecting surfaces between cleans. Limescale prevention removes the surface conditions where bacteria thrive. Thick Formula Advantage Domestos's thick formula clings to surfaces rather than running off immediately. This extended contact time allows deeper disinfection than thin, watery alternatives. Shopping for Domestos in the UK Domestos enjoys universal UK distribution. Major Supermarkets Tesco: Full Domestos range including Original 750ml Sainsbury's: Domestos Original and variants Waitrose: Domestos thick bleach and toilet cleaners Morrisons: Comprehensive Domestos selection Asda: Wide Domestos availability Online Retailers Amazon UK: Full Domestos range with Subscribe & Save options Supermarket delivery: All major supermarkets deliver Domestos eBay UK: Including professional 5L formats Wholesale and Trade Catering suppliers stock professional formats Cleaning supply specialists offer bulk options Convenience Stores Co-op, Spar, and independent convenience stores stock popular Domestos variants. Understanding Domestos Pricing Domestos occupies mainstream branded positioning in household cleaning. Branded Value Domestos prices exceed supermarket own-label bleach but remain accessible. The premium reflects proven efficacy, thick formula, and trusted brand quality. Size Economics Larger bottles offer better per-litre value. Professional 5L formats provide significant savings for heavy users or households with multiple bathrooms. Multi-Buy Offers Household cleaning products frequently feature in supermarket promotions. Multi-buy offers on Domestos make stocking up sensible. Own-Label Comparison When comparing with own-label bleach, consider Domestos's thick formula, proven efficacy, and extended protection claims. The premium may deliver genuine value beyond basic bleaching. Practical Tips for Domestos Shoppers Choose the Right Product Match Domestos products to specific needs: General disinfection: Original thick bleach Long-lasting protection: Extended Power Toilet-specific cleaning: Toilet rim blocks Whitening requirement: Ultra White Dilute for Surfaces Domestos is concentrated — dilute appropriately when cleaning surfaces. Undiluted application is typically only needed for toilet bowls and stubborn stains. Consider Professional Sizes For regular users, 5L professional formats offer significant savings. Calculate annual consumption to assess whether bulk purchasing makes economic sense. Store Safely Bleach requires careful storage away from children, pets, and incompatible cleaning products. Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners — the chemical reaction produces dangerous gases. Ventilate When Using Use Domestos with adequate ventilation, particularly in enclosed bathrooms. The chlorine component requires fresh air circulation for safe use. Domestos in British Cleaning Culture Domestos holds a special place in British households. Bathroom Essential Domestos is the default toilet cleaner for millions of British households. The blue bottle beside the toilet represents baseline bathroom hygiene standards. Trust Through Generations Families have used Domestos for generations, passing the brand from parents to children as the reliable cleaning choice. This multi-generational trust reflects consistent quality delivery. Hospital-Grade at Home The "kills 99.99% of germs" claim brings hospital-grade disinfection to domestic settings. During health scares, Domestos sales spike as households seek proven protection. British Manufacturing Heritage Domestos's Newcastle origins and British development resonate with consumers valuing domestic brands. The garden shed to global brand story represents British entrepreneurial success. Conclusion William Handley's 1929 garden shed innovation has grown into Britain's leading bleach brand, delivering proven germ-killing power to households for nearly a century. The journey from door-to-door sales with stoneware jars to iconic blue bottles in every supermarket demonstrates how quality and efficacy build lasting brands. Now part of Unilever whilst maintaining British identity, Domestos continues innovating with Extended Power formulas, rim blocks, and specialist cleaners. The "Kills all known germs" promise launched in 1952 remains just as relevant — and just as verifiable — today. Whether you need Original thick bleach for general disinfection, Extended Power for lasting protection, or toilet rim blocks for continuous hygiene, Domestos delivers the unstoppable cleaning power that has protected British homes for generations. Using Grocefully to compare Domestos prices across UK retailers helps you maintain household hygiene at the best available prices. For families seeking proven, powerful, trusted disinfection, Domestos delivers the backbone of household cleanliness — just as William Handley intended.