Costs are climbing. You don’t need us to tell you that.
From groceries to postage, it feels like something ticks up every week. And when it comes to your everyday essentials, cleaning, laundry, personal care, it all adds up quickly.
A couple years ago, we ran the numbers to see whether low-waste living could actually save households money long term. Back then, the results surprised a lot of people.
So we decided to run them again.
This is the updated 2026 edition, reflecting today’s rising costs, changing shopping habits, and the expansion of the Skipper range, including newer products like our Dishwashing Liquid.
We’re feeling the pressure of rising costs too. But for now, we’re choosing not to pass those increases directly onto you.
Because for us, this has never just been about selling products. It’s about making low-waste living something more Australians can actually access.
And when you run the numbers today, switching to Skipper can save households up to $679 per year, without compromising on quality or impact.
Total Annual Spend: Popular brands vs Skipper
How we calculate annual savings
• We compare prices of quality or sustainability-focused brands, often retailed in major supermarkets (Coles & Woolworths). Specific brands in this example include Thankyou, Sukin, QV, CeraVe, Go-To Skincare, Earth's Choice, Ecostore, Finish and Koh. Only non-sale prices are used in calculations, including our own.
• For each product category, we find lower and higher price points so we are covering a broad range of options most frequently purchased by Australian households.
• We do not compare against brands owned by Coles or Woolworths, nor other budget brands such as Palmolive, Radox, Ajax, Pine O Clean, Radiant to name a few. We do this respectfully, and compare ourselves only against brands that we believe focus on health and sustainability.
• For hand, body and face wash, we compare prices against traditional gel-based products. Our products are foam-based, and are consumed faster than gels. For the most accurate comparison, we have factored this in by assuming our foam products are consumed 1.5x faster than gel. This of course reduces the calculated savings, but hey, we're being honest.
• We assume the average Australian household contains 2.5 people, as confirmed by the latest census study in 2021 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Why Skipper Ends Up Cheaper (Even Without the Gimmicks)
We’re not trying to win the loudest promo war. We’re playing a different game.
1. Fair Pricing, Always
We don’t build in inflated margins just to slash them later. What you see is what you pay, on shelf and online.
2. Refill Model = Lower Long-Term Cost
Most customers buy refills every ~6 months and unlock 10-20% off with Refill & Save, which can lead to an additional $114 of savings.
3. Less Waste, More Value
Our products skip unnecessary packaging (and the cost that comes with it), while still delivering high performance.
4. We Prioritise Impact Over Margin
Selling online helps us keep prices lower and reinvest more into our impact program, not into shelf wars.
Cost Per Use: Where It Actually Adds Up
When you compare products properly, per wash, per clean, per tab, the savings become clearer:
| Product | Benchmark | Skipper | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Soap (per 100mL) | $2.19 - $2.67 | $1.00 | 31 – 44%* |
| Laundry Detergent (per load) | $0.32 – $0.36 | $0.19 | 40 - 47% |
| Dishwasher Tabs (per tablet) | $0.56 - $1.25 | $0.48 | 14 - 61% |
| Dishwashing Liquid (per 100mL) | $1.99 - $1.11 | $1.00 | 0 - 10% |
| Spray Cleaner (per 100mL) | $2.11 - $2.89 | $0.60 | 72 - 79% |
| Toilet Cleaner (per block) | $1.40 - $2.80 | $1.78 | 0 - 36% |
| Body Wash (per 100mL) | $2.00 - $3.05 | $0.94 | 30 - 53%* |
| Face Wash (per 100mL) | $12.00 - $22.00 | $4.00 | 50 - 72%* |
No tricks. Just better value over time.
*assuming Skipper's foam-based products are consumed 1.5x faster than traditional gel.
Why We’re Holding Prices (For Now)
We’ve seen costs rise across almost every part of the business, from ingredients to postage (yes, even essential oils).
But for now, we’re holding our refill prices.
Because if keeping prices steady helps more people stick with low-waste habits and makes things a little easier, that feels like the right call.
We can’t promise prices will never change.
But we can promise this:
We’ll always aim to play fair, stay transparent, and put impact before profit.
The Bottom Line
Switching to Skipper isn’t just about saving money.
It’s about:
- Spending more consciously
- Avoiding pricing gimmicks
- Supporting products that actually reduce waste
And yes, saving up to $679 per year while doing it.
Ready to Make the Switch?
If you’re already buying quality cleaning and personal care products, this is one of the simplest swaps you can make.
No compromise.
No tricks.
Just better products at a fair price.
