Liquitabs - why buy them?

coolcait

Just read this article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24052303

From a moneysaving point of view, I don't find liquitabs the most economical choice for laundry.

From a family point of view, there appears to be a risk if you have small children. Though it's not quite clear how much you could manage that risk by choosing appropriate storage options.

I guess I just don't 'get' why a family with small children would buy a detergent option which looks like sweeties. Especially when it's not the most economical detergent option on the market.

No doubt I'm missing something. Would you buy liquitabs (especially if you have small children)? Why/why not?

A_Phoenix_of_Tangerine

They're not as economical, but I find they're a lot more convenient and less messy than powder and laundry liquid. You just shove one tab in with the wash and you're done - no measuring or spilling anything. Also, I've never got residue on any of my clothes from a laundry tab, whereas with powder it was a bit hit and miss.

I do think that all cleaning products should be kept well out of the way of small children, particularly if they're of the age when they put things in their mouth without thinking.

mazza111

Do they look like sweeties though? Not like any sweeties I've ever seen in all honesty. I find these handy, not economical, but with my dodgy hands they do come in handy.

Dovah_diva

coolcait wrote: »

Just read this article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-24052303

From a moneysaving point of view, I don't find liquitabs the most economical choice for laundry.

From a family point of view, there appears to be a risk if you have small children. Though it's not quite clear how much you could manage that risk by choosing appropriate storage options.

I guess I just don't 'get' why a family with small children would buy a detergent option which looks like sweeties. Especially when it's not the most economical detergent option on the market.

No doubt I'm missing something. Would you buy liquitabs (especially if you have small children)? Why/why not?

This is clearly a poor parenting issue. All detergents should be kept well out of reach of small children.

I like the tabs - they are far more convenient to use. I am not an idiot though and store them carefully.

fluffnutter

My son can't get into the cupboard where stuff like this is stored. Problem solved.

aliasojo

I don't think this is a liquitabs issue, I think this is a parenting issue.

It's no different to bleach or any other cleaning product that parents have been warned about for years.

You keep these products in an inaccessible place or you suffer the consequences. Or rather your child does.

Alikay

The storage of cleaning materials is the issue, not the appearance of the liquitabs - bleach comes in lovely primary coloured bottles, doesn't it? Once I'd got over the mindset that says "cleaning materials live under the sink" and shifted them into one of our high kitchen cupboards, we soon got used to it. We wouldn't dream of leaving the toolbox or carving knife in an easily accessible place, and the cleaning products and medicine box are just as dangerous in little hands.

aileth

Agree with aliasojo re that issue.

I only buy them when they're half price (which is a lot) because they're convenient and less messy.

Moomum

As PP said, I buy them when on offer, which seems to be constantly, as they are so easy to use! Ours are in the utility room where children don't tend to go. My son (now ten) prefers licking washing powder off his hands , caught him once about 8 years ago at the MILs, strange child.

fluffnutter

Moomum wrote: »

As PP said, I buy them when on offer, which seems to be constantly, as they are so easy to use! Ours are in the utility room where children don't tend to go. My son (now ten) prefers licking washing powder off his hands , caught him once about 8 years ago at the MILs, strange child.

It's not that uncommon. Washing powder, soap, any detergent really. It's a form of pica I think, where you want to eat non-food stuff.

ilovelondontown

mazza111 wrote: »

Do they look like sweeties though? Not like any sweeties I've ever seen in all honesty..

Young children don't have the knowledge to realise this, they just see something colourful and soft and like most kids do they test out what they get their hands on by putting it in the mouths.

I have to agree with others though, it's not a packaging problem it's a parenting problem. I don't have kids yet but am from a big family who visit with children regulally, and I still put things that would be a danger to children in high cupboards, and turn the pans in to the hob instead of out etc.

Accidents do happen but the fact that this has been able to hit the news means it's more than just unlucky circumstances and frankly I'm saddened to hear it but I'm not overly suprised.