Warning issued to everyone who buys washing up liquid in the UK

UK households have been issued a washing up liquid warning in 2025.

And with pretty much every household having the stuff near their kitchen sink, there's a good chance that means the warning is issued to you as well.

Whether you're cooking up a Sunday roast or a microwave meal, the stuff is used by millions of Brits to get those pots, pans, glasses, cutlery, and plates clean after making some food in the kitchen.

The product as we know it has been used for around a century but now, as we head into a new year, a warning has been issued about the product. And in particular, what it comes in.

Washing up liquid warning

To put it bluntly, because so many of us use the stuff, there is a big issue with recycling.

According to cleaning manufacturer Ecover, just seven percent of all UK bottles make it to the recycling stage of being turned in to a new product - something the business described as 'horrifying'.

In a statement, Ecover said: "In 2016, less than half of all plastic bottles were collected for recycling and only seven percent of those were turned into new bottles.

"The resulting impact on waterways and marine life is, to put it bluntly, horrifying, with an estimated 12.7 million tonnes ending up in oceans each year."

Most houses have a bottle (Getty Stock Images)

They add: "Why melt a bottle to make a bottle, when you’ve already got a bottle? Does seem kinda crazy when you say it out loud. But where to start with that reusable plastic bottle?

"Be it washing-up liquid, laundry detergent or loo cleaner, you can refill it at one of over 700 Ecover refill stations. Find them at your local health food store, zero waste shop or some bigger supermarkets."

Refills are the way forward (Getty Stock Images)

Environmental impact

Plastic and recycling is an issue, with reports suggesting 12.7 million tonnes of plastic bottles will end up in the sea this year on current pollution levels.

As a result, people are being urged to buy refill products or 'eco-friendly' products, of which many of the main brands now have on supermarket shelves in the likes of Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco.

Fairy, for example, sells a refill carton that the company says 'allows you to refill your 370ml upside-down bottle more than twice and helps you to save up to 85% of the plastic'.

"The refill is recyclable," the company adds.

After all we all need to do our bit, and the small changes might be a way to go about that.