When you’re weighing up your cleaning options, looking through labels, and figuring out how to strike the right balance between effective and eco-friendly, it can be a lot to digest. No need to fret - we can help you weigh up the differences and give you some more context when it comes to standard liquid cleaners and our innovative just–add-water formulations. 

What Are Just-Add-Water Cleaning Refills?

The concept of just-add-water formulations isn’t just about convenience, it’s also about adjusting the way we consume everyday products and cutting out the waste while still being able to get your home (and yourself!) wonderfully clean. As the name suggests, we’ve kept it simple when it comes to cleaning - including how you actually mix up your products at home. 

All you need to do is take your refillable for life bottle or dispenser, pop your tablet or powder in there, then top it up with water. Leave it for a little to dissolve and mix through so it’s just right and you’re good to go. There’s no measuring needed when it comes to Skipper either, when you put your refill tablet into its designated container, there’s a water mark that lets you know where to fill it. Instead of needing a new bottle every time you run out, you can get refill tablets in the post and keep using the same one. Not only are you reducing plastic waste, you’re also saving yourself some money too! 

How Traditional Liquid Cleaners Are Made and Transported

Along with the obvious impact of disposable packaging, the energy used to actually transport pre-mixed cleaning products is higher too. When you weigh up (quite literally) how much a 500ml bottle of say, dishwashing liquid, is when it’s pre-made, compared to a sachet of powder to gel, it’s significantly higher. Water and space in trucks make the carbon footprint go up, not just due to the packaging, but the amount of fuel needed to get those heavy bottles from Point A (the factory) to Point B (the supermarket aisle where you pick them up). Many cleaning products are made overseas, not locally here in Australia, which only adds to this impact. 

By the end of 2025, Skipper customers have prevented over 2.2 million litres of water being shipped - equivalent to over 50 petrol tankers!

When you’re only using those products for a short time, chucking them away (or putting them in the recycling when possible) the cycle repeats again and again. More plastic, more water to transport, and greater impacts across the board on our planet. 

Packaging Waste: Refills vs Single-Use Plastic Bottles

One of the key differences between standard cleaning products (including things like body wash and face cleanser!) and our range is that you remove the single-use plastic, as well as reducing the amount of fuel your products take to get from the factory to your home. 

While you could argue that it’s not too bad because plastic is recyclable, a lot of it ends up as waste anyway depending on the facilities at your local recycling centre, but also because plastic can only be remade into something new so many times before it’s unusable. 

The better solution is something that can be refilled for less money, with less waste, and less carbon miles. When you order a starter kit, no matter what products are included, you’ll get the relevant bottles, pumps, and dispensers you need. They’re made to be functional and beautiful, all while lasting you a lot longer than a single use bottle from the supermarket with a pre-mixed product inside. Another bonus is that shipping refills in the post is a lot less impactful than sending water-heavy products, meaning you can get everything you need without using as much energy, and it takes up less space in your cupboards than having spare bottles on hand! 

Cost Comparison: Long-Term Value of Refills vs Liquids

A lot of people are doing their best for the planet, while still wanting to keep things balanced when it comes to the everyday cost of things. We do our best to give you products that tick both boxes - while also helping you get your home sparkling clean without the harsh chemicals of conventional cleaners. 

Our model and ethos flips the usual model of single use plastic and heavy products on its head. Instead, you only need to buy your bottles and dispensers once, then buy lightweight refills that cost less and last just as long. We list how much each refill (or load of laundry or dishes!) will cost, making it easy for you to budget but also compare with what you currently use. We’ll even give you an extra discount when you stock up in bulk, helping you do that extra bit for the planet while also saving a few extra dollars. 

Cleaning Performance: Are Refills as Effective?

Absolutely! We know that some sustainable swaps can compromise on the quality of your clean, but not with our formulations. Made without harsh chemicals like VOCs, bleach, ammonia, and phthalates which can harm the environment once they’re rinsed down the drain, our ingredients include a clever blend of surfactants (that’s a fancy word for soap) to break down dirt and grease, without being too harsh for daily use or your skin. 

Ready To Make the Switch? 

The environmental benefits of just-add-water refills go far beyond packaging, helping to reduce the impact of cleaning itself, while also serving to save you some money in the process. By being lighter, more concentrated in their unmixed form, and cheaper to ship, you can get something fantastic for every corner of the home (along with face and body care). 

By reducing the reliance on single use plastic, there’s less being made in the first place and in turn less going into our landfills and waterways. If you’re ready to give a just-add-water product a crack, explore the range now and see how great they are for yourself!