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Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On 2/19/2010 8:10 AM, 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. Sounds like you are using a lot more detergent than you need to use. I also believe the cost of liquid concentrates are lower and was advised to use them as friendlier to my septic system. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Feb 19, 8:43*am, Frank wrote:
On 2/19/2010 8:10 AM, 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. Sounds like you are using a lot more detergent than you need to use. *I also believe the cost of liquid concentrates are lower and was advised to use them as friendlier to my septic system. Good grief! That's 5.5lbs of detergent. Unless you're washing clothes for a platoon, that shouldn't have to be purchased "week after week". For a family, it should last months. Don't they have sales at the supermarket on this stuff? Here in the USA the supermarkets have various brands on sale all the time. I use whatever happens to be the best deal, usually one of the lesser known brands, and buy a couple jugs when it's on sale. I get it for maybe $3 for a 2x concentrate small to med jug. I then have enough for months. I haven't ever done a test to see if there is any difference between say Tide and one of the cheaper brands. All I know is I don't have really tough cleaning, eg no kids, no dirty work clothes, etc and the off brands work fine. Unless you have some very high usage requirements, I can't imagine it's worth it to screw around trying to figure out how to make detergent. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
"john bently" writes:
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. I buy a large bucket of Sears Ultra HE detergent for around $20. I generally do two to three loads of laundry a week and one bucket lasts probably 4 years. I only use about half the prescribed amount since my water is quite hard. Everything seems to come clean with half the amount of detergent. I don't consider $5 a year to be too much to pay for laundry detergent. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Feb 19, 5:10*am, "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. As in buying anything, don't go for the advertised stuff, buy teh house brand. Lately a "Basic" brand showed up. On sale for IIRC around $8 for 20 lb bucket. That is less than a third the cost of the major brands. Harry K |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
Question for the group....
I've always used liquid detergents but find it messy at times Are powders just as good and maybe cheaper? Also, I use detergents with NO scents, smells, etc!! Does there exist a powder like that for top loader (or FL) use? |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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 ? |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
john bently wrote:
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. Buy a bucket of laundry soap powder at Costco and it will last you six months to a year. Use half the amount they recommend. Avoid liquid laundry detergent which is far more expensive than powder. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Feb 19, 1:59*pm, SMS wrote:
john bently wrote: 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. Buy a bucket of laundry soap powder at Costco and it will last you six months to a year. Use half the amount they recommend. Avoid liquid laundry detergent which is far more expensive than powder. I don't know if there is a COSTCO in the UK, where the OP seems to be located. But, if they have the equivalent of Walmart or Sams Club in the UK, check out their prices. Also, in the US we have "Consumers Reports" that has done a comparison of many different brands of clothes washing soap. And, as others have said try using half the amount the manufacturer recommends and see if that isn't just as good. The mfgr has no incentive to recommend anything less than the maximum amount they can get you to use and still have most of it come out in the rinse. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
"Bob F" wrote:
I've never used liquid detergents, and I never use detergents with scents. When I've calculated it in the past, powdered detergents are way cheaper where I've shopped. what is the brand you use? |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Feb 19, 8:10*am, "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. I use the detergent depending on how soiled the clothes are. On my regular office clothes about 1/4 of the suggested amount. When Ive been working in the yard about 1/2. Wifes undies...double strength. Seriously though I use about 1/4 the amount unless something is really dirty or greasy. Rubbing a little Octagon soap into the dirty spots on my work clothes really helps. I didnt realize how much we were paying for laundry powders until I had to go off for training for 6wks. Jimmie |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:43:18 -0500, Frank wrote:
On 2/19/2010 8:10 AM, 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. Sounds like you are using a lot more detergent than you need to use. I also believe the cost of liquid concentrates are lower and was advised to use them as friendlier to my septic system. Yup. I use Bio-D liquid and get about 100 washes out of 5li. The machine stays (reasonably) clean and never smells. So, for me, about £17 p.a. -- Peter. 2x4 - thick plank; 4x4 - two of 'em. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
In article fe2cda56-edd0-45f0-afb2-
, (Harry K) says... As in buying anything, don't go for the advertised stuff, buy teh house brand. Lately a "Basic" brand showed up. On sale for IIRC around $8 for 20 lb bucket. That is less than a third the cost of the major brands. Plus, you get the bucket. --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: --- |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:10:06 -0000, "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. There is Naptha Laundry soap, washing soda and Mule Team Borax. There is a home recipe where you can make a laundry gel at a fraction of the cost of laundry soap powders. The home made stuff does not have some of the additives, fabric conditioners, etc. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
Phisherman wrote:
On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:10:06 -0000, "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. There is Naptha Laundry soap, washing soda and Mule Team Borax. There is a home recipe where you can make a laundry gel at a fraction of the cost of laundry soap powders. The home made stuff does not have some of the additives, fabric conditioners, etc. I find that with softened water, I can use 1/4 to 1/3 of the recommended dose of detergent, and it still gets the clothes clean. In fact, in my previous apartment, until I cut down on the amount of detergent, I had trouble getting the clothes to rinse clean of all the soap. Had to run the washer a second time with no soap added to get the rinse water to come up clear. -- aem sends... |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
Jeff The Drunk writes:
Do you own an He washer? I own a Kenmore front loading He and it uses about one third the detergent that the top loading Kenmore of 1975 it replaced used. The trade off is the wash cycle is longer. In fact the longest cycle with pre-wash and extra rinse is almost 2 hours! Yes, I have a front load washer that recommends HE detergent. I think there are more choices for HE detergent now, but years ago the large bucket of Sears HE detergent was the least expensive way to go. |
Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
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