Consumer and Sensory Testing for Fragrance in Dish Cleaner Formats

The Challenge​

A leading client in the household cleaning sector sought to evaluate the performance of dish cleaners in various formats—neat (out of the bottle), sprayed into a beaker, and dissolved in a bowl of water.

Our client wanted us to conduct 60-minute testing sessions with a specific criterion of participants, they had to be: regular users of washing-up liquid, decision makers in purchasing household cleaning products, actively washes up daily, and with a target demographic of at least 30% male representation.

The client needed a controlled environment to replicate real-life usage scenarios while maintaining flexibility to adapt on the day of testing.

The Solution

We provided an ideal setting for the research for our client. With specialised facilities and expert support, we delivered a seamless testing experience that addressed all client requirements.

1. Participant recruitment
2. Dedicated Testing Areas
   1. Sensory booths ensured individual fragrance evaluations were undisturbed and consistent
   2. Designated spaces allowed washing-up bowls to bloom appropriately before participant evaluation
   3. Ventilation systems maintained consistent fragrance distribution throughout the sessions
3. Client-Centric Approach
   
   1. The client had access to a dedicated viewing room, enabling them to observe live testing and provide immediate feedback for on-the-fly adjustments
   2. Expert facilitators managed the rotation of neat samples, ensuring consistency and precision in delivery
4. Comprehensive Sample Preparation
   
   1. Beakers and washing-up bowls were prepped in a specialised prep room, ensuring samples had adequate blooming time
5. Extended Evaluation Through HUT (Home Usage Test)
   
   1. Half the participants were provided with samples to test in their natural environment at home, capturing real-world usage feedback to complement in-lab findings

The Result

The study provided the client with a comprehensive understanding of how their product performed across multiple formats – neat, out of pack (OOP), in water, and in-home environments. Key outcomes included:

• Comparative insights into their product’s performance versus competitors
• Direct participant feedback, which was enhanced by the client’s face-to-face interaction with participants during the sessions
• Immediate adaptability to testing procedures, thanks to the flexibility and responsiveness of the Sense:lab expert team