john bently wrote:
I remember reading a while ago that it costs the washing machine
powder manufacturers more to make the carboard box than it does to
make the washing power inside the box. In all events having to pay
between £4.50 and £6.50 odd for a box weighing 2.4Kg week after week
mounts up to a big expenditure.
There is all this endless chat from manufacturers in their adverts
about how white etc, etc, but do they really know what they are
doing? It was not so long ago that it was found some of these
powders actually cause the clothes fabrics to rot.

Since most peoples clothes are not really that dirty as a general
rule, is there not a simpler less expensive alternative that could be
made up to put in a washing machine? Thanks for any advice.

Unless your water is unusual, you can probably use way less detergent than the
detergent box says.