Shoppers are rushing to buy a 25p household item that can help people cut down on their water bill. Fairy has created a washing up liquid that can be used just as effectively with cold water as it can with hot.
The cleaning giant confirmed that its new product can be used to clean dishes using cooler water. It went viral on social media after a shopper spotted a Christmas scented version in stores, the Manchester Evening News reports.
You can buy the non-Christmas scented version in Wilko stores for 25p. If you want the Christmas one, which has a wild berry scent and apparently smells 'amazing', you can get a 870ml bottle in B&M for £2.79, or in Tesco for £3.
Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, Georgia Sewell said: "Fairy have brought out a new liquid that can be used in cool water to save people running the hot tap with the extreme energy prices …. I suppose every little helps."
Some people were horrified by the idea of washing up in cold water. Helen Sales said: "Why would you want to wash up in cold water?" Rhiannon Lockwood agreed: "Couldn't think of owt worse than having my hands in a bowl of cold water right now."
However, others branded the idea 'brilliant'. Hollie Rushforth said: "This is a brilliant idea not just for money saving but what about if your boiler goes? You still need to wash up and cheaper than boiling the kettle twice just to rinse some dishes."
Becky Dexter Jackson said: "Wait what ! My kids can now clean dishes coz the water doesn't have to be boiling! Amazing idea."
Kay Dee said: "It's soap, it'll work in any temperature." Natasha Park said: "I have this. It smells awesome. I bought it for the pure fact it was a Christmas scent haha."
Lily Kate Nin Gomersall chimed in: "NHS current guidance is that the temperature of the water is for comfort, the soap itself is what kills bacteria with full coverage and left long enough. Honestly this thread makes it much clearer why they published guidance on how to wash your hands in 20."
On washing dishes in cold water, Dr Nicky Milner, a biomedical scientist from Anglia Ruskin University, told the BBC: "“It’s really about the scrubbing action. Research has shown that the temperature of the water doesn’t really make a difference. So a good scrub is more important than the water temperature. And research has shown that using washing up liquid to kill bacteria is important."
