"Having to Worry About Cleaning and Laundry"... Prices of Daily Necessities All Increased Amid COVID-19

ChamkaGyeok, Major Daily Necessities Brands' February Sales Prices Rise... Laundry Detergent, Kitchen Detergent, Insecticide, etc.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] As the prices of daily necessities soar, the financial burden on low-income households is increasing. Amid the surge in prices of masks and hand sanitizers due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), prices of other daily necessities such as dishwashing detergents and laundry detergents are also fluctuating, taking advantage of the uncertain times.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency's Chamgagaek on the 29th, the sales prices of major daily necessity brands all rose in February. The sales price of LG Household & Health Care's HomeStar Hyangrax (1ℓ), a disinfectant, increased by 4.6%, from 2,344 won in January to 2,451 won in February. Dishwashing detergent prices are also on the rise. The sales price of Nature Pong Pine Needle Scent Bacterial Dishwashing (LG Household & Health Care, 980㎖) rose 6.7% to 7,068 won from 6,623 won the previous month. Aekyung's Antibacterial Trio (970㎖) was adjusted by 5.3%, from 2,960 won to 3,117 won.

Prices of cleaning agents and insecticides also increased. Pigeon’s Mugeunmutae Bathroom (500㎖) sales price rose 1.8% to 5,236 won from 5,141 won the previous month. Laundry detergent prices were also adjusted, taking advantage of the rapidly increasing demand. LG Household & Health Care's Tech Up Liquid Regular (3ℓ) rose 0.7% from 11,955 won to 12,048 won. The sales price of F-Killa Aerosol Unscented (SC Johnson Korea, 500㎖) increased 2.7% to 5,359 won from 5,216 won the previous month; Combat Speed Aerosol (Henkel Home Care Korea, 500㎖) rose 2.6% from 4,958 won to 5,089 won; and Home Keeper Water-based Aerosol (Henkel Home Care Korea, 500㎖) increased 3.2% from 4,798 won to 4,950 won.

Since the sales prices of major daily necessity brands also rose in January compared to the previous month, the household burden is inevitably large. The sales price of laundry detergent (liquid type) Ttaegassok Beat (CJ Lion, 3000㎖) in January was 12,732 won, up 2.3% from 12,441 won the previous month. Persil Power Gel Drum (Henkel Home Care Korea, 2700㎖) sales price rose 8.8% to 19,735 won from 18,139 won the previous month, and Persil Power Gel Regular (Henkel Home Care Korea, 2700㎖) was adjusted 8.7% from 17,939 won to 19,498 won.

Fabric softeners also all rose early in January. Downy Concentrated Blue Tulip and Sweet Lilac (Korea P&G, 2000㎖) increased 3.3% to 9,113 won from 8,823 won the previous month, and Safran Cotton & Cream (LG Household & Health Care, 4200㎖) rose 2.1% from 8,804 won to 8,987 won.

Dishwashing detergent CJ Chamgreen (CJ Lion, 965㎖) rose 5.4% to 6,329 won from 6,005 won the previous month, and Safe Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Refill (LG Household & Health Care, 500㎖) increased 1.2% to 3,984 won from 3,937 won. The sales price of disinfectant Yuhan Lox Regular (Yuhan Corporation, 1.5ℓ) jumped 10.6% to 3,373 won from 3,050 won the previous month.

Housewife Lee Kyung-hwa (Cheonho-dong, 38) said, "Recently, not only dishwashing and laundry but also house cleaning require more attention, so the usage of various detergents and cleaning products has increased, but I was surprised that most prices went up," adding, "As COVID-19 prolongs, living costs are becoming more unstable, increasing the household burden."