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.

Thats a lie. If it did, some would supply them in plastic bags etc.

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.

I dont use anything like that much.

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?

Yes.

It was not so long ago that it was found some of these
powders actually cause the clothes fabrics to rot.

No they dont.

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?

Yes, and that is trivially buyable too.

Obviously those that do not advertise will be cheaper,
but there is rather more risk with cheap chinese crap.

Thanks for any advice.

Even advice to shove you head up a dead bear's arse ?