Dish soap and cleaners hidden inflation: +11.1% per unit vs +1.7% official inflation
By ShrinkRadar · Updated 2026-11-05 · Part of the ShrinkRadar Index, recomputed from the case library and official price data on every build
When a dish soap and cleaners pack shrinks, its price per unit jumps. In 20 documented dish soap and cleaners shrinks with shelf prices before and after and an official match (2019–2026), the median price per unit changed +11.1%. Official inflation for the same cases, matched to each one’s category, country and time, was +1.7%: official prices up 1.7%, the ShrinkRadar per-unit price up 11.1% over the same periods.
same category, country and time+1.7%
18 of 2090%
shelf prices before and after20
median, all 48 cases since 2018+10.7%
Official data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U, Eurostat HICP, Office for National Statistics CPI, Australian Bureau of Statistics CPI. Recomputed on every build. Method and limits.
In one lineBy countryBy yearCasesOfficial seriesMethodCite
Dish soap and cleaners in one line
Each line is computed from the tables below. Copy one with its source.
Dish soap and cleaners: official prices were up 1.7% and the ShrinkRadar per-unit price up 11.1% over the same periods. Packs that shrank cost a median 11.1% more per unit than the pack they replaced, against 1.7% official inflation for the same category, country and time (20 priced cases with an official match, 2019–2026).
In 90% of those dish soap and cleaners cases (18 of 20), the price per unit rose more than official inflation for the same category, country and time.
Across all 48 documented dish soap and cleaners shrinks since 2018, the size cut alone raised the price per unit by a median 10.7%, before any change in the shelf price.
In Germany, dish soap and cleaners packs that shrank were up 11.1% per unit, while official prices (Eurostat HICP) for the same cases were up 2.2% over the same periods (9 priced cases with an official match, 2020–2026, all from Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg).
In United Kingdom, dish soap and cleaners packs that shrank were up 33.3% per unit, while official prices (ONS CPI) for the same cases were up 4.3% over the same periods (5 priced cases with an official match, 2019–2026).
By country
The same comparison for dish soap and cleaners cases by the country they come from, each against its own statistics office. A country needs at least 5 priced cases with an official match; 8 of 10 countries have fewer, and the table says so instead of showing a figure.
Price per unit at the shrink (median) Official inflation, same cases (median)(n) = priced cases with an official match
| Country | Cases | Per unit (median) | Official, same cases | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 9 (9 priced) | +11.1% | +2.2% | |
| United Kingdom | 5 (5 priced) | +33.3% | +4.3% | |
| Netherlands | 4 (4 priced) | Too thin: 4 priced cases with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Austria | 6 (1 priced) | Too thin: 1 priced case with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Australia | 2 (1 priced) | Too thin: 1 priced case with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Hungary | 10 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
| United States | 8 (0 priced) | Too thin: 0 priced cases with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| Italy | 2 (0 priced) | Too thin: 0 priced cases with an official match (minimum 5) | ||
| India | 1 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
| Japan | 1 (0 priced) | No official series for this country | ||
By year
By the year the pack changed. A year needs at least 5 priced cases; thin years are marked. Comparisons spanning several years (1 dish soap and cleaners cases) are left out of this series but kept in the headline and the case list.
| Year | Cases | Priced | Per unit (median) | Official, same cases (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (so far) | 18 | 6 | +8.0% | +1.0% (6) |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | too thin | — |
| 2024 | 11 | 3 | too thin | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | too thin | — |
| 2022 | 7 | 4 | too thin | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | too thin | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | too thin | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | too thin | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | too thin | — |
The 48 dish soap and cleaners cases
Which cases count. All 48 dish soap and cleaners cases that changed in 2018 or later are listed and count in the size-cut figure. The per-unit headline uses the 20 that have shelf prices before and after and an official match (listed first). Left out of the per-unit figure: 28 size-only cases (the source recorded no shelf prices; we never fill one in). Cases without an official match: no official benchmark loaded for this country (12). Not listed: 4 older dish soap and cleaners cases that changed before 2018, outside the range of the official data.
| Case (country · when · size) | Per unit | Official, matched |
|---|---|---|
| Buster bathroom plug unblocker (UK) United Kingdom · 2026 · 600 ml → 300 ml (−50.0%) | +33.3% | +4.3% Cleaning and maintenance products · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Jul 2026 |
| Dettol Original Allesreiniger Netherlands · 2026 · 1500 ml → 1000 ml (−33.3%) | +7.4% | −3.2% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (NL) · 2026 average vs 2025 (same 9 months) |
| Fairy dishwashing liquid (Australia) Australia · 2026 · 800 ml → 750 ml (−6.2%) | +46.7% | +18.7% Cleaning and maintenance products · ABS CPI (AU) · 2026 average vs 2021 average (same 9 months) |
| Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Maxi Pack Germany · 2026 · 42 pieces → 36 pieces (−14.3%) | +16.7% | +0.3% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jun 2026 |
| Finish Quantum vaatwastabletten (2026) Netherlands · 2026 · 32 tablets → 31 tablets (−3.1%) | +3.2% | −3.3% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (NL) · 12 months to Mar 2026 |
| Scrub Daddy Sponge Daddy dual-sided sponges (UK) United Kingdom · 2026 · 4 sponges → 3 sponges (−25.0%) | +6.1% | +4.3% Cleaning and maintenance products · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Jul 2026 |
| Somat All in 1 Extra Tabs XXL Germany · 2026 · 63 pieces → 58 pieces (−7.9%) | +8.6% | +1.8% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jan 2026 |
| Swiffer Duster Mega Pack Germany · 2025 · 20 pieces → 18 pieces (−10.0%) | +11.1% | +2.2% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Jun 2025 |
| Finish Classic XXL dishwasher tabs (Austria) Austria · 2024 · 77 tabs → 72 tabs (−6.5%) | +20.0% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Finish Quantum All-in-one vaatwastabletten Netherlands · 2024 · 35 tablets → 33 tablets (−5.7%) | +6.1% | +1.6% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (NL) · 2024 average vs 2023 |
| Sun All-in-one vaatwastabletten Netherlands · 2024 · 25 pieces → 21 pieces (−16.0%) | +12.3% | +1.6% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (NL) · 2024 average vs 2023 |
| Fairy Original All In One dishwasher tablets, lemon (UK) United Kingdom · 2022 · 58 tablets → 52 tablets (−10.3%) | +39.4% | +12.5% Cleaning and maintenance products · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Aug 2022 |
| Finish Powerball classic Germany · 2022 · 82 pieces → 77 pieces (−6.1%) | +6.5% | +7.4% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Mar 2022 |
| Love Nature Spülmittel Verbena Germany · 2022 · 470 ml → 450 ml (−4.3%) | +41.2% | +14.2% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Sep 2022 |
| Somat classic Germany · 2022 · 82 pieces → 77 pieces (−6.1%) | +6.5% | +7.4% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Mar 2022 |
| Bref Power WC-Kraftgel gegen 99,9% der Bakterien Germany · 2021 · 1000 ml → 750 ml (−25.0%) | +33.3% | −0.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Feb 2021 |
| Pril Kraft-Gel Ultra Plus Germany · 2021 · 500 ml → 450 ml (−10.0%) | +11.1% | −0.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Feb 2021 |
| Somat Gold Multi Aktiv Germany · 2020 · 53 pieces → 50 pieces (−5.7%) | +6.0% | +2.4% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (DE) · 12 months to Apr 2020 |
| Ecover washing-up liquid, 1 litre bottle (UK) United Kingdom · 2019 · 1000 ml → 950 ml (−5.0%) | +9.6% | −7.9% Cleaning and maintenance products · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Feb 2019 |
| Fairy All in One dishwasher tablets, 67-pack (UK) United Kingdom · 2019 · 67 tablets → 60 tablets (−10.4%) | +34.0% | −7.9% Cleaning and maintenance products · ONS CPI (UK) · 12 months to Feb 2019 |
| COOP 4Home cold degreaser spray (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 750 ml → 500 ml (−33.3%) | size only size cut alone +50.0% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Dawn Platinum dish soap United States · 2026 · 32 fl oz → 30 fl oz (−6.2%) | size only size cut alone +6.7% | +2.1% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 2026 average vs 2025 (same 9 months) |
| Febreze air spray can United States · 2026 · 8.8 oz → 8.1 oz (−8.0%) | size only size cut alone +8.6% | +2.1% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 2026 average vs 2025 (same 9 months) |
| Finish Power Lemon dishwasher tablets 110-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 110 tablets → 100 tablets (−9.1%) | size only size cut alone +10.0% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Finish Power Lemon dishwasher tablets 94-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 94 tablets → 85 tablets (−9.6%) | size only size cut alone +10.6% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Finish Quantum dishwasher capsules (Lemon, Fresh) 100-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 100 capsules → 95 capsules (−5.0%) | size only size cut alone +5.3% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Finish Quantum Fresh dishwasher capsules 46-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 46 capsules → 44 capsules (−4.3%) | size only size cut alone +4.5% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Finish Quantum Lemon dishwasher capsules 60-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 60 capsules → 55 capsules (−8.3%) | size only size cut alone +9.1% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Finish Ultimate Plus dishwasher capsules (Lemon, Fresh) 72-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 72 capsules → 70 capsules (−2.8%) | size only size cut alone +2.9% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Jar All-in-One Yellow dishwasher tablets 46-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 46 tablets → 41 tablets (−10.9%) | size only size cut alone +12.2% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Swiffer Duster refills United States · 2026 · 28 count → 24 count (−14.3%) | size only size cut alone +16.7% | +2.1% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 2026 average vs 2025 (same 9 months) |
| The Pink Stuff cleaning paste (Hungary) Hungary · 2026 · 850 g → 750 g (−11.8%) | size only size cut alone +13.3% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Cascade Platinum Plus dishwashing pods United States · 2025 · 52 pods → 47 pods (−9.6%) | size only size cut alone +10.6% | +0.1% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to Sep 2025 |
| Finish Ultimate Dishwashing Pods United States · 2025 · 76 pods → 62 pods (−18.4%) | size only size cut alone +22.6% | +1.5% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to Jan 2026 |
| Somat Classic dishwasher tablets 80-pack (Hungary) Hungary · 2025 · 1328 g → 1200 g (−9.6%) | size only size cut alone +10.7% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Blink dishwasher powder (Müller own brand, Austria) Austria · 2024 · 1.8 kg → 1.5 kg (−16.7%) | size only size cut alone +20.0% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Blue Star 10x Effekt toilet tabs (Austria) Austria · 2024 · 250 g → 225 g (−10.0%) | size only size cut alone +11.1% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Jif cream cleanser Australia · 2024 · 700 ml → 500 ml (−28.6%) | size only size cut alone +40.0% | −0.4% Cleaning and maintenance products · ABS CPI (AU) · 2024 average vs 2023 |
| Kao Cucute Clear Jokin dish soap bottle (Japan) Japan · 2024 · 240 ml → 220 ml (−8.3%) | size only size cut alone +9.1% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Nelsen dish detergent (second cut, Italy) Italy · 2024 · 900 ml → 850 ml (−5.6%) | size only size cut alone +5.9% | +3.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (IT) · 12 months to Jan 2024 |
| Somat Classic dishwasher powder XXL (Austria, first cut) Austria · 2024 · 3 kg → 2.5 kg (−16.7%) | size only size cut alone +20.0% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Somat Classic dishwasher powder XXL (Austria, second cut) Austria · 2024 · 2.5 kg → 2 kg (−20.0%) | size only size cut alone +25.0% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Somat Classic Tabs XXL (Austria) Austria · 2024 · 72 tabs → 66 tabs (−8.3%) | size only size cut alone +9.1% | +1.5% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (AT) · 12 months to Oct 2024 |
| Dawn Dishwashing Liquid United States · 2023 · 19.4 oz → 18 oz (−7.2%) | size only size cut alone +7.8% | +6.0% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to May 2023 |
| Dawn Ultra dish soap United States · 2022 · 7 fl oz → 6.5 fl oz (−7.1%) | size only size cut alone +7.7% | +9.5% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 2022 average vs 2021 |
| Nelsen dish detergent Italy · 2022 · 1000 ml → 900 ml (−10.0%) | size only size cut alone +11.1% | +6.1% Household cleaning and maintenance products · Eurostat HICP (IT) · 2022 average vs 2021 |
| Vim dish soap bar (India) India · 2022 · 155 g → 135 g (−12.9%) | size only size cut alone +14.8% | no official match no official benchmark loaded for this country |
| Lysol wipes United States · 2018 · 19.7 oz → 17.7 oz (−10.2%) | size only size cut alone +11.3% | −1.3% Household cleaning products · BLS CPI-U (US) · 12 months to Mar 2018 |
Official series used
Each dish soap and cleaners case is matched to one official series for its country. A broad match means no series exists for exactly this category, so the nearest wider one is used.
| Official series | Provider | Cases matched |
|---|---|---|
| Household cleaning and maintenance products DE:CP05611 | Eurostat HICP (DE) | 9 |
| Household cleaning products CUUR0000SEHN01 | BLS CPI-U (US) | 8 |
| Household cleaning and maintenance products AT:CP05611 | Eurostat HICP (AT) | 6 |
| Cleaning and maintenance products UK:L7F8 | ONS CPI (UK) | 5 |
| Household cleaning and maintenance products NL:CP05611 | Eurostat HICP (NL) | 4 |
| Cleaning and maintenance products AU:40067 | ABS CPI (AU) | 2 |
| Household cleaning and maintenance products IT:CP05611 | Eurostat HICP (IT) | 2 |
Method and limits
Two measures per case. Size cut alone = old size ÷ new size − 1: what you pay more per unit if the shelf price did not change. Price per unit = (new price ÷ new size) ÷ (old price ÷ old size) − 1, from the shelf prices the source recorded. Official benchmark: the 12-month change of the matched series in the month the case was reported, or the annual-average change for cases with only a year, or the source’s own comparison period. Every case counts once and figures are medians; there is no spending weighting.
Limits. These are documented shrinks, not a random sample: sources report packs that got smaller, and the consumer agencies behind most priced cases usually report them when the price per unit rose. So the page shows how big the hidden rise is when dish soap and cleaners shrinkflation happens, not how common it is. Official indexes already count a smaller pack at the same price as a price rise when the item is in their sample. Full method, thresholds and data refresh: ShrinkRadar Index method.
Cite this page
ShrinkRadar, “ShrinkRadar Index: dish soap and cleaners hidden inflation”, https://shrinkradar.com/shrinkflation-index/dish-and-cleaning/, accessed 2026-11-05. Data: ShrinkRadar case library; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U; Eurostat HICP; Office for National Statistics CPI (Open Government Licence v3.0); Australian Bureau of Statistics CPI (CC BY 4.0).
More on dish soap and cleaners
- ShrinkRadar Index: all categories →Every category, country, month and year, with CSV downloads.
- Cleaning products and dish soap shrinkflation →Every documented case in one place, brand by brand.
- All Dish & Cleaning cases and tracked products →Size Facts, brands caught most often and products we check daily.
- shrinkflation-index.csv →Every Index figure, including this category, with case counts and a status column for thin rows.
Other categories in the Index
- Chocolate and candy +20.0% vs +8.7%
- Pasta, rice and meals +16.4% vs −0.7%
- Chips and snacks +19.5% vs +4.7%
- Dairy +11.1% vs +4.8%
- Breakfast cereal +25.0% vs +2.6%
- Laundry +14.5% vs +2.0%
- Coffee and tea +25.0% vs +11.6%
- Cookies and crackers +21.2% vs +1.3%
- Meat and fish +19.3% vs +3.0%
- Personal Care +27.9% vs +1.6%
- Soap, shampoo and body wash +21.4% vs +1.9%
- Juice and soft drinks +33.2% vs +5.0%
- Frozen Foods +16.9% vs +3.8%
- Baking goods and spreads +25.1% vs +2.8%
- Pet Food +17.6% vs +1.9%
- Bread and bakery +16.0% vs +1.6%
- Toilet Paper +29.4% vs +28.8%
- Health and supplements +15.2% vs +3.2%
- Ice Cream +9.5% vs +6.6%
- Paper Towels +25.8% vs +28.8%
Closest to a figure (priced cases with an official match now, of 5 needed): Baby 4, needs 1 more; Household 4, needs 1 more; Oral Care 4, needs 1 more; Tissues 4, needs 1 more; Feminine Care 3, needs 2 more; Shaving & Razors 2, needs 3 more; Cat Litter & Pet Supplies 1, needs 4 more; Deodorant 1, needs 4 more; Bags, Foil & Wrap 0, needs 5 more.