Does a deep clean have to be expensive? A mother of a family tested affordable cleaning products
House cleaning is one of those unavoidable chores that doesn’t ask whether you have the time or the desire. In light of recent price increases, many people have started asking: does cleaning your home really have to be costly, and do you need to choose more expensive, well-known brands to ensure proper cleanliness? Anna Markova, a mother living in Narva, decided to put this to the test and tried out cleaning products sold at Prisma in her own home.
According to Markova, she selected the products in her experiment based on price, availability and intended use. “I deliberately wanted to try products I hadn’t used before, especially budget-friendly cleaners. I was curious whether cheaper products could deliver the same results in everyday home use as more expensive and better-known brands,” she explained.
While looking for products, Markova discovered that the range of cleaning products at Narva Prisma is very diverse. “The selection includes Prisma’s own private labels such as Coop, Rainbow and Xtra, as well as products from local manufacturers. You can also find well-known brands, plus dedicated eco- and nature-friendly product lines—so overall, everyone can find something that suits their budget and preferences.”
In households with children, ingredients matter
Markova noted that in practice, the most effective products for her were Rainbow laundry gels, which offer very good value for money. If there are children in the family, people with sensitive skin, or pets, it makes sense to pay special attention to product ingredients. For Markova, the Rainbow Sensitive line of laundry gels proved to be a particularly useful find. “It’s great for washing children’s clothes, because it’s gentle and designed specifically for sensitive skin.”
Markova was also deeply impressed by Coop wet cleaning wipes. “They’re almost fragrance-free, which is a big plus for me, and they did their job very effectively—perfect for quick everyday cleaning.” She was pleasantly surprised by Coop grapefruit laundry vinegar, which removed unpleasant odours very well and left the laundry fresh. “Rainbow dishwasher capsules were also a lovely surprise. They are significantly cheaper compared to the products I used before, but in terms of results they were not inferior at all,” Markova said.
Ease of use matters
With cleaning products, good results are important—but so is ease of use. Markova praised Prisma products for their clear instructions and practical packaging. “I really appreciate that the selection included refill (reusable) packaging, which is both practical and more environmentally friendly.” She also liked that many products offer options for different needs. “For example, Rainbow stain removers come in both powder and liquid forms. The scents were also neutral, which makes them comfortable for everyday household use, because the fragrances aren’t intense,” she added.
To find the best solution, dare to experiment
Summing up her experience, Markova concluded that the price–quality ratio was well balanced. “To be honest, for years I preferred more expensive, well-known brands, convinced that only they could clean properly. But my test at Narva Prisma clearly showed that more affordable private-label products work effectively for regular household cleaning and are a fully-fledged alternative to more famous and expensive brands.”
Markova encourages everyone to try different products to find those that best fit their own needs and habits. “Don’t let stereotypes mislead you or be afraid of cheaper options. And I definitely recommend reading the ingredient list and manufacturer information—these help you make more informed choices,” she said.
Consumers are chasing lower prices
According to Kersti Vilti, Prisma’s category manager for everyday essentials, the household chemicals assortment is built on several aspects: the international range of Prisma’s parent company SOK, brand leaders in the Estonian market, and new, interesting products that refresh the selection. “Narva Prisma sells 181 different household chemical products, and Prisma’s private-label products total 29 items in this category. Because private-label products are affordable and popular, we are working to increase the share of private labels in our assortment,” she explained.
When it comes to consumer trends, Vilti says the overarching trend is a low price. “For customers, the most important factor is a low price, but strong sales are also consistently achieved by our brand leaders during campaigns. We continuously look to add products with cleaner formulations to the household chemicals range—for example, organic products—as well as new high-quality products,” she said.
Prisma’s goal is to offer a shopping basket with consistently affordable prices, which is why the retailer applies the EDLP (Everyday Low Price) pricing strategy. This means prices are constantly compared to market levels and kept stably low regardless of campaigns.
Since last April, more than 8,000 products at Prisma have received a lower EDLP price, and in October, 2,000 everyday essential items were added to the price reductions. Price cuts are implemented category by category—for example, waves of low regular prices have already covered baby products, snacks, and cold cuts and sausages.