About Fairy
Fairy stands as the United Kingdom's best-selling washing up liquid, a position the brand has held since becoming the market leader in the 1960s. With its iconic green bottle and the promise of long-lasting grease-cutting power, Fairy has been a staple under British kitchen sinks for over seven decades. The brand's claim that a single bottle lasts twice as long as competitors has made it synonymous with economical and effective dishwashing in British households. The Fairy brand originated in the United Kingdom in 1898, when Thomas Hedley & Co., a soap manufacturer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, introduced Fairy soap bars. Formulated with olive oil for gentle, multi-purpose cleaning, the original soap served dishes, clothes, and skin. Procter & Gamble acquired Thomas Hedley Co. in 1930, bringing Fairy into the P&G portfolio. The revolutionary Fairy Liquid was introduced in 1950 at P&G's West Thurrock factory, becoming the first mass-market washing up liquid available to British consumers. Today's Fairy product range extends far beyond the original washing up liquid. The flagship washing up liquid comes in Original, Lemon, and seasonal variants, with the Max Power range offering enhanced grease-cutting in an innovative upside-down bottle. Fairy dishwasher products include Original All in One tablets, Platinum tablets for tough grease, and Platinum Plus for the brand's best cleaning performance with built-in salt, rinse aid, and anti-limescale technology. The Fairy Non Bio laundry range provides gentle cleaning for sensitive skin through pods, liquid, powder, and gel formats, complemented by Fairy Fabric Conditioner. Regarding ethical considerations, Fairy is NOT certified cruelty-free or vegan. As a Procter & Gamble brand, Fairy products may be tested on animals where required by law in certain markets. Consumers seeking cruelty-free alternatives should consider Leaping Bunny certified options from Marks & Spencer own-brand, Co-Op own-brand, or specialist brands like Astonish. This is an important consideration for ethically-minded shoppers. Fairy Liquid has earned numerous accolades for skin kindness. The brand claims its washing up liquid is mild on hands while being tough on grease, with formulations that have been dermatologically tested. The Non Bio laundry range is specifically designed for sensitive skin and has been voted number one for this purpose, making it popular for washing baby clothes and items for those with skin sensitivities. When comparing Fairy to alternatives, independent tests have shown mixed results. While Fairy consistently performs well on grease cutting, supermarket own-brand alternatives often provide comparable cleaning at significantly lower prices. The key Fairy advantage is longevity - the concentrated formula means less product is needed per wash, potentially offering value despite the higher unit price. Fairy products are widely available across UK supermarkets with competitive pricing. Standard 320ml washing up liquid bottles retail around £1 at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. The larger 654ml bottles cost around £2. Max Power 545ml bottles retail at £3.25 with loyalty card discounts reducing this to £2.70 at Tesco. Dishwasher tablets are available in various pack sizes, with larger packs offering better per-tablet value. For UK households seeking trusted cleaning performance, Fairy remains the go-to brand for washing up, dishwashing, and gentle laundry care. Using Grocefully to compare Fairy prices across supermarkets ensures you find the best deals on these household essentials.