As Singaporeans, it’s almost in our DNA to want to suss out the best deals. This gut feel doesn’t stop when we become homeowners. It only gets more amplified. That’s why we’ve scoured the island to find out the cheapest places to stock up on home essentials because supermarkets aren’t always the cheapest.
For this case study, we’ve singled out Swanston, Valu$, and Mustafa. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick breakdown of these well-known stores:
Mustafa: Located in Little India, it’s known for stocking everything under the sun and is open 24/7 for any late-night purchases. Though you can’t use CDC vouchers, it keeps prices low by importing directly in bulk and reportedly only selling at a profit margin of no more than 10%.
Swanston: Located within People’s Park Complex, it accepts CDC vouchers, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious shoppers.
Valu$: Found across most heartland malls and neighbourhoods, and its prices are known to be consistently lower than mainstream supermarkets. You can also use CDC vouchers at selected heartland outlets.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of 9 everyday essentials to see which store truly offers the cheapest alternative.
1. Cif Cleanboost Cream
Image adapted from: @reboothome_households
Swanston price: $1.70
Valu$ price: $2.05
Mustafa price: $1.60 (Cif alternative – Sof Scrub)
Verdict: 22% cheaper at Mustafa
Cif isn’t available at Mustafa, but its Sof Scrub dupe works just as well for scrubbing stubborn stains and kitchen grease. The price difference isn’t huge, but if you’re already shopping at Mustafa, the convenience might outweigh the few cents saved elsewhere.
2. Top Detergent Bottle
Swanston price: $8.20 (3.6kg)
Valu$ price: $10.95 (3.6kg)
Mustafa price: $9.90 (2.8kg)
Verdict: 30% cheaper at Swanston (by weight)
Top’s Colour Protect detergent is a household favourite for keeping colours vibrant after every wash. You’ll get a larger bottle for less at Swanston, making it great for families with frequent laundry loads.
3. Softlan Softener Refill (Lavender Fresh)
Swanston price: $2.50
Valu$ price: $3.50
Mustafa price: 2 for $5.95 ($2.98 each)
Verdict: 16% cheaper at Swanston
Softlan’s Lavender Fresh scent is a crowd favourite for leaving laundry soft and fresh-smelling. The savings from purchasing it from Swanston may seem small, but those extra cents per refill add up quickly when you’re doing laundry several times a week.
4. Fab Laundry Powder Detergent (1.9kg)
Swanston price: $5.20
Valu$ price: $6.50
Mustafa price: $7.85
Verdict: 34% cheaper at Swanston
For everyday laundry needs, Swanston offers the best value for Fab powder detergent. Compared to Valu$ and Mustafa, shoppers can enjoy 34% savings without compromising on cleaning power.
5. Glade Scented Gel
Swanston price: $2.40
Valu$ price: $3.50
Mustafa price: $4.05
Verdict: 41% cheaper at Swanston
The Glade Scented Gel is perfect for freshening up bedrooms, bathrooms, or even shoe cabinets. With over 40% savings at Swanston, you could easily stock up on a few for the price of one elsewhere.
6. Dettol Body Wash (Original)
Swanston price: $5.30
Valu$ price: $6.25
Mustafa price: 2 for $10.80 ($5.40 each)
Verdict: 2% cheaper at Swanston
The prices at these 3 stores are almost identical, but Swanston still edges out for a single bottle buy. As a household hygiene staple, Dettol’s antibacterial body wash is a regular purchase, so even small savings make a difference over time.
7. Dynamo Liquid Detergent
Swanston price: $8.50
Valu$ price: $10.95
Mustafa price: $18.90
Verdict: 55% cheaper at Swanston
Swanston’s price is less than half of Mustafa’s, and even beats Valu$ by over 20%. For families doing multiple laundry loads weekly, the savings can easily cover your next bubble tea run, or even more.
8. Mr Muscle Bathroom Cleaner (500ml Spray)
Swanston price: $5.00
Valu$ price: $3.50
Mustafa price: $6.45
Verdict: 45% cheaper at Valu$
Valu$ finally offers the best deal for the Mr Muscle Bathroom Cleaner. The bathroom cleaner spray is a must for tackling soap scum and mildew, and it’s nearly half the price at Valu$ compared to Mustafa.
9. Baygon Multi-Insect Killer
Swanston price: $7.80
Valu$ price: $10.95
Mustafa price: $9.25
Verdict: 16% cheaper at Swanston
Baygon’s Multi-Insect Killer is a staple in many Singaporean homes, especially during the rainy season. Swanston sells it for less than both competitors, so it’s worth stocking up to keep pests at bay when mosquito season hits.
Valu$ vs Swanston vs Mustafa
| Product | Swanston Price | Valu$ Price | Mustafa Price | Cheaper At |
| Cif Cleanboost Cream (660g) | $1.70 | $2.05 | $1.60 (Sof Scrub) | Mustafa |
| Top Detergent Bottle – Colour Protect (3.6kg) | $8.20 | $10.95 | $9.90 (2.8kg) | Swanston |
| Softlan Softener Refill (Lavender Fresh) | $2.50 | $3.50 | $2.98 | Swanston |
| Fab Laundry Powder Detergent (1.9kg) | $5.20 | $6.50 | $7.85 | Swanston |
| Glade Scented Gel | $2.40 | $3.50 | $4.05 | Swanston |
| Dettol Body Wash (Original) | $5.30 | $6.25 | $5.40 | Swanston |
| Dynamo Liquid Detergent | $8.50 | $10.95 | $18.90 | Swanston |
| Mr Muscle Bathroom Cleaner (500ml Spray) | $5.00 | $3.50 | $6.45 | Valu$ |
| Baygon Multi-Insect Killer | $7.80 | $10.95 | $9.25 | Swanston |
While Mustafa is known for its wide variety and 24-hour convenience, Swanston still offers the best overall value, consistently beating both Valu$ and Mustafa for most everyday items.
However, Valu$ holds its own, with prices generally lower than supermarkets and a wide network of outlets for fuss-free restocks.
Across all three stores, the price differences range from 15% to over 50%, proving that where you shop really matters, especially when restocking cleaning supplies that run out fast.
For more shopping finds with the best deals:
- Venus Beauty vs FairPrice: A household product price comparison & where you should shop to save money
- FairPrice vs Sheng Shiong: Where to shop to get the cheapest household cleaners
- 8 best home projectors for cinema-quality movie nights, sorted by price
Cover image adapted from: Google Maps
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