Do you use too much washing powder than necessary?

BrandNewDay

I do use less, but I'm not sure how much less. I just don't put much powder in.

I used to be a lab tech at Proctor and Gamble's development plant in Cincinnati - worked on laundry products. I ran the tests, which meant doing lots of loads of laundry with precisely measured amounts of product (we'd use pipettes and highly sensitive scales.) So, I do know that the recommended amounts are not just to sell more product - they honestly want the consumer to get the best results possible. If selling more product were the goal, they'd just bulk the stuff up with fillers.

We also had computers to exactly calibrate the water hardness, so that we could test products for different kinds of markets (in addition, we had different machines to reflect the practices of different cultures. They do laundry differently in Mexico than in the US or China.) I learned a LOT about laundry! LOL. I also came to believe that P&G products are generally superior to the competition, most of the time. I know this because we ran a lot of tests against the competition. Of course, any particular product is aimed at a certain result, so if the product aims to leave clothes softer, and you're interested in color brightness, you might prefer a Unilever product or whatever.

Anyway, if you're using a top name brand and have bought it because you want the advertised benefits of that product AND you're operating under the expected conditions (water hardness, machine type, drying method, etc) then you will probably get optimal results from following manufacturer's instructions.

That said, I still use less detergent than is recommended. I do it because I'm cheap and I can't discern the difference.

A lot of people also think that the store brands/generic stuff is name brand products repackaged. That's not really true. I do believe that there are OLDER versions of P&G products packaged under different names (Pampers diapers are sold as "Luvs" in the US, but they're the Pampers of several years ago. But, "Luvs" is still a P&G brand, just not one they tout with so much advertising.) They put so much money and effort into new product development that they really aren't going to give it away.

marybishop

The washing machine repair man told me to halve the amount of tablets I was using i.e. for full load use 1 and for half load use a half tablet. Trouble is trying to break tablets in half results in a big mess!!! So I reverted back to powder and use half the amount they say on the box. Seems to be OK and of course saves money!! If only the stupid machines wouldn't keep costing me money - have just had a new one delivered today - wonder how long this one will last !!??

CGG

Rachie_B wrote:

i use powder now as its cheaper and the tesco cheapy version at that !

i was always a Bold 2 in 1 gal before lol

The Tesco Value Washing Powder 1kg boxes are selling for 6p these days. (In Tesco, of course).

tawnyowls

freyasmum wrote:

don't want to hijack, but is the liquid cheaper than powder?

Thanks,
Linzi x

Depends which you buy and where you buy it. I usually get mine on special offer, and assuming I use 50ml/wash (usually less, but it's easy to work out with 50ml), I'd generally reckon on a wash costing me 10p or less a wash (eg Surf Liquigel in Tesco is now £2.52 for 1.5 litre, thus that's 1500 ml divided by 50, which gives 30 washes from that bottle, so that's 8.4p/wash). An own-brand liquid will obviously be cheaper.

It's more difficult to work it out for powder, because the powder is marked in kg, but the measuring cup is usually marked in fractions of a cup. You'd really need to weigh how much you'd get in typical cup, but it will vary a bit because of the settling of the powder. Still, if you're getting a kilo of washing powder for 6p, it won't matter much! I might well try out the Tesco washing powder once my big bottle of liquid is finished.

gemma_johnson

i have a new miele washing machine and god how i wished i had paid to get the old one fixed as these new machine take in less water now than they did 10 years ago .
i have weight my washing and used half a tablet instead of one ( you are supposed to use 2 for full load ) and still there is soap suds in the washing ,miele recommends you use a third of power for half load i use less and still suds .
my hubby has a skin problem so making sure there is no soap left is important , so am now looking for a second hand mach that it not so dam efficient .
Gem

Hovel_lady

Have just cut down to one tablespoon of powder and seems to work fine. We don't usually have very dirty clothes though.

lala1974

freyasmum wrote: »

don't want to hijack, but is the liquid cheaper than powder?

Thanks,
Linzi x

Whichever is on offer at the time
Currently using a Persil Liquid (54 washes) that was on offer at half price a few weeks ago. I only use half the recommended dose which equates to 108 washes)!!! :T

[Deleted User]

I use rainwater and soapnuts, 8 nuts in a bag does about 6 washes and I do shorter washes as there are no suds to rinse away

oldtractor

I use either HM laundry gloop or half the recommended amout of soap powder and also half a small scoop of oxi-white. Dissolve in hot water in a jug and pour directly onto clothes. close door and wash on a cold wash. great results and a lot less fuel used.

VJsmum

I use ecoballs a lot of the time, especially on darks. Or on swimming gear or towels that only need refreshing. I am trying to only use half the amount of powder (or etc.) on the rest, but haven't got there yet.

The only thing with eco balls is they don't seem to get rid of the deodorant smell from hubbys shirts, so while they aren't ever strictly dirty they do have to be washed with detergent.