Cutting down the cost of washing machine powder
john bently
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.
Frank
also believe the cost of liquid concentrates are lower and was advised
to use them as friendlier to my septic system.
tra...@optonline.net
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.
Brian Elfert
>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.
Harry K
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
Bob F
Unless your water is unusual, you can probably use way less detergent than the
detergent box says.
m...@privacy.net
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?
Rod Speed
> 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 ?
Rod Speed
> Question for the group....
> I've always used liquid detergents but find it messy at times
Yeah, they certainly can be.
> Are powders just as good
Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
You can wipe it away when hanging it on the line, but there can be
too much to bother with and so I use the clear liquid detergents that
dont have that problem.
> and maybe cheaper?
Dunno, havent compared on prices, essentially because I use
so little that its not a major consideration. I have very large
numbers of the commonly worn stuff like T shirts so I can
do a full load and so the cost isnt a significant consideration.
> Also, I use detergents with NO scents, smells, etc!!
Yeah, me too. Same with the shower, I use Pears Transparent,
because its one of the few with no smell at all. I use it for the hair too.
> Does there exist a powder like that for top loader (or FL) use?
Dunno. The liquid detergent I use is has no scents or smells.
SMS
> 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.
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
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.
Bob F
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.
my...@inter.net
there uses to be a poster on m.c.f-l who always said 'if you can see
the suds, you are using too much detergent.' i get mine for $1.99/gal
and use about half of what they recommend.
it seems to work fine. no scent. i use vinegar for fabric softener.
i'm sure that you can get a comparable deal on powder if that is less
messy for you.
m...@privacy.net
>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?
Bob F
Tide currently.
JIMMIE
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
terry
======================================================================
Wow! Between 4 and 7 UK pounds for slightly over five pounds of
laundry detergent; that's something of the order, in North America,
of seven to ten dollars!!!! Or $2.50 per pound.
Just how much is used each wash load and in what kind of washer;
because UK and European style washers I have encountered in Britain
and the Middle East, in recent years are smallish front loaders? Less
than half a small cup??????
Here a couple of kilos of the cheaper 'house brand' powder laundry
detergent in my 20+ year old North American style washer with a couple
to three loads per week, which include the odd heavy item like a very
large towel, bed blankets etc. etc. lasts for at least several weeks
to a couple of months plus. Only think have bought laundry detergent
once, since Christmas and there is at least a third to half a box
left!
Sometimes wash in warm water, if anything greasy and at other times in
cold water. Washed a load tonight which included four or more towels,
several shirts and socks and a pile of male underwear; wasn't a
particularly heavy load btw, and used one small measure, about a
cupful, of detergent.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7u84no...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> > Thanks for any advice.
>
> Even advice to shove you head up a dead bear's arse ?
what other advice has rod speed ever
given?
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7u8620...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
> T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
> powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
IOWs you use too much
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>> Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
>> T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
>> powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
> IOWs you use too much
Wrong, as always. I get no suds forming at all and get the same result with a
tenth of the amount too. The problem is that it doesnt fully dissolve in cold water.
Works fine in hot water.
PeterC
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.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7uahml...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
IOWs you are using the wrong soap
Larry Caldwell
2f4758...@d2g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>, turnk...@hotmail.com
(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: ne...@netfront.net ---
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
>>>> T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
>>>> powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
>>> IOWs you use too much
>> Wrong, as always. I get no suds forming at all and get the same
>> result with a tenth of the amount too. The problem is that it doesnt
>> fully dissolve in cold water.
>> Works fine in hot water.
> IOWs you are using the wrong soap
Wrong again, I get that with all the soap powders, even those that claim to be for cold water.
What does work is the clear liquid detergent.
Quite a bit of the liquid detergent appears to just be
the powder in liquid and that has the same problem.
And I should emphasis that it is JUST a problem with the dark blue pure
cotton T shirts, you dont see it on the jeans, towels or sheets or underwear.
And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T shirts that
get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to them which is the problem
and its only visible on the very dark blue.
When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7ub3fd...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
> > Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
> >> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
> >>> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>
> >>>> Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
> >>>> T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
> >>>> powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
>
> >>> IOWs you use too much
>
> >> Wrong, as always. I get no suds forming at all and get the same
> >> result with a tenth of the amount too. The problem is that it doesnt
> >> fully dissolve in cold water.
>
> >> Works fine in hot water.
>
> > IOWs you are using the wrong soap
>
> Wrong again, I get that with all the soap powders, even those that claim to
> be for cold water.
>
> What does work is the clear liquid detergent.
>
> Quite a bit of the liquid detergent appears to just be
> the powder in liquid and that has the same problem.
>
> And I should emphasis that it is JUST a problem with the dark blue pure
> cotton T shirts, you dont see it on the jeans, towels or sheets or underwear.
So you have manufacturers that
manufacture a material that only shows
"soap crud" on one small subset of the
products it's used for. LOL
>
> And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
>
> There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T shirts that
> get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to them which is the problem
> and its only visible on the very dark blue.
of course there is.
>
> When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
> off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
or maybe a defective washing machine
--
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit. Cras lobortis volutpat
commodo. Morbi lobortis, massa fringilla
adipiscing suscipit, velit urna pharetra
neque, non luctus arcu diam vitae justo.
Vivamus lacinia scelerisque ultricies.
Nunc lobortis elit ligula. Aliquam
sollicitudin nunc sed est gravida ac
viverra tellus ullamcorper. Vivamus non
nisi suscipit nisi egestas venenatis.
Donec vitae arcu id urna euismod
feugiat. Vivamus porta lobortis
ultricies. Nulla adipiscing tellus a
neque vehicula porta. Maecenas volutpat
aliquet sagittis. Proin nisi magna,
molestie id volutpat in, tincidunt sed
dolor. Nullam nisi erat, aliquet
scelerisque sagittis vitae, pretium
accumsan odio. Sed ut mi iaculis eros
rutrum tristique ut nec mi. Aliquam nec
augue dui, in mattis urna. In pretium
metus eu diam blandit accumsan. Ut eu
lorem sed odio porttitor blandit.
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
>>>>>> Not in some situations. I wash in cold water and wear dark blue
>>>>>> T shirts all year round and find that you get a sort of scum with
>>>>>> powders which appears to be due to the soap not dissolving entirely.
>>>>> IOWs you use too much
>>>> Wrong, as always. I get no suds forming at all and get the same
>>>> result with a tenth of the amount too. The problem is that it
>>>> doesnt fully dissolve in cold water.
>>>> Works fine in hot water.
>>> IOWs you are using the wrong soap
>> Wrong again, I get that with all the soap powders,
>> even those that claim to be for cold water.
>> What does work is the clear liquid detergent.
>> Quite a bit of the liquid detergent appears to just be
>> the powder in liquid and that has the same problem.
>> And I should emphasis that it is JUST a problem with the dark blue pure
>> cotton T shirts, you dont see it on the jeans, towels or sheets or underwear.
> So you have manufacturers that manufacture a material that only
> shows "soap crud" on one small subset of the products it's used for.
Yep.
> LOL
Wota stunning line in rational argument you have there, child.
>> And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
>> There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T
>> shirts that get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to them
>> which is the problem and its only visible on the very dark blue.
> of course there is.
>> When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
>> off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
> or maybe a defective washing machine
Nope, get that with two different washing machines with very different actions.
Keep guessing, and ending up with egg all over your silly little face, as always.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7uc9v7...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Totally appropriate to "your" situation
old fella
>
> >> And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
>
> >> There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T
> >> shirts that get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to them
> >> which is the problem and its only visible on the very dark blue.
>
> > of course there is.
>
> >> When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
> >> off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
>
> > or maybe a defective washing machine
>
> Nope, get that with two different washing machines with very different
> actions.
>
> Keep guessing, and ending up with egg all over your silly little face, as
> always.
Right. You are the only known person who
has this particular problem and I'm the
one who has egg on his face. Dream on
old fella
Rod Speed
>> Yep.
>>> LOL
Only in your pathetic little drug crazed pig ignorant fantasyland, child.
>>>> And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
>>>> There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T
>>>> shirts that get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to
>>>> them which is the problem and its only visible on the very dark blue.
>>> of course there is.
>>>> When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
>>>> off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
>>> or maybe a defective washing machine
>> Nope, get that with two different washing machines with very different actions.
>> Keep guessing, and ending up with egg all over your silly little face, as always.
> Right.
Everyone can see from your shit above that it is indeed right, child.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7ue92n...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Sorry old fella, but just because you
are proved wrong is no reason to accuse
me of the very thing that affects your
judgement.
>
> >>>> And I asked all the major manufacturers about it too.
>
> >>>> There appears to be something about the dark blue pure cotton T
> >>>> shirts that get any not fully dissolved soap powder sticking to
> >>>> them which is the problem and its only visible on the very dark blue.
>
> >>> of course there is.
>
> >>>> When you are hanging them on the line, you can rub the visible mark
> >>>> off, which also supports the idea that is from the soap, not dirt etc.
>
> >>> or maybe a defective washing machine
>
> >> Nope, get that with two different washing machines with very different
> >> actions.
>
> >> Keep guessing, and ending up with egg all over your silly little face, as
> >> always.
>
> > Right.
>
> Everyone can see from your shit above that it is indeed right, child.
Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to
support you with "wow, that's exactly
what happened to me"
Rod Speed
> Rod Speed <rod.sp...@gmail.com> wrote
Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
Brian Elfert
>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.
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7uevkq...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> > Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to support you with "wow, that's exactly
> > what happened to me"
>
> Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
> cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
yes, of course, because in the whole
world (or even this newsgrou), you are
the only person who has access to dark
blue pure cotton T shirts and washed
them in cold water old fella
Rod Speed
> In article
> <7uevkq...@mid.individual.net>,
> "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>> Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to support you with "wow, that's
>>> exactly what happened to me"
>>
>> Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
>> cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
<reams of your puerile shit any 2 year old could leave for dead flushed where it belongs>
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7ug3k7...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
> > In article
> > <7uevkq...@mid.individual.net>,
> > "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>> Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to support you with "wow, that's
> >>> exactly what happened to me"
> >>
> >> Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
> >> cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
yes, of course, because in the whole
world (or even this newsgroup), you are
the only person who has access to dark
blue pure cotton T shirts and washed
them in cold water old fella
>
> <reams of your puerile shit any 2 year old could leave for dead flushed where
> it belongs>
why is that old fellas like you think
that censoring someone is a sign of
anything other than your lack of ability
to carry on an intelligent conversation?
Rod Speed
> In article
> <7ug3k7...@mid.individual.net>,
> "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
>>> In article
>>> <7uevkq...@mid.individual.net>,
>>> "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to support you with "wow, that's
>>>>> exactly what happened to me"
>>>>
>>>> Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
>>>> cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
<reams of your puerile shit any 2 year old could leave for dead flushed where it belongs>
Malcom "Mal" Reynolds
<7ugqrq...@mid.individual.net>,
"Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
> > In article
> > <7ug3k7...@mid.individual.net>,
> > "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
> >>> In article
> >>> <7uevkq...@mid.individual.net>,
> >>> "Rod Speed" <rod.sp...@gmail.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>> Yes, I notice the throngs rushing to support you with "wow, that's
> >>>>> exactly what happened to me"
> >>>>
> >>>> Presumably fuck all of them wear dark blue pure
> >>>> cotton T shirts and wash in cold water, fuckwit child.
yes, of course, because in the whole
world (or even this newsgroup), you are
the only person who has access to dark
blue pure cotton T shirts and washed
them in cold water old fella
>
> <reams of your puerile shit any 2 year old could leave for dead flushed where
> it belongs>
why is that old fellas like you think
Andrew Gabriel
"hr(bob) hof...@att.net" <hrho...@att.net> writes:
> On Feb 19, 1:59�pm, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> 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.
>>
>> 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.
Costco exist in the UK, and I buy my washing detergent powder
in the giant boxes from there. Takes me 1-2 years to get through
one. It's much cheaper than buying the regular size boxes in shops
(keep an eye out for Costco special offers as you start running out),
but main reason is I don't have to buy and carry it home so often.
Adjust dose to match the amount of dirt you expect it to need to
remove from the clothes.
> 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.
Bare in mind US washing soap and European washing detergent are
completely different things, because the washing machines have
completely different methods of washing.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
john hamilton
"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hmc96s$ql3$2...@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article
> <cd87b90b-94f0-4225...@o3g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,
> "hr(bob) hof...@att.net" <hrho...@att.net> writes:
>> On Feb 19, 1:59 pm, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> 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.
>>>
>
> completely different things, because the washing machines have
> completely different methods of washing.
>
> [email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
============================================================================
Thanks to all. Could you elaborate on how us and uk machines wash
differently?
Gene S. Berkowitz
and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk says...
> Bare in mind US washing soap and European washing detergent are
> completely different things, because the washing machines have
> completely different methods of washing.
This may have been true in the past, but the US market is
transitioning rapidly to Euro-style front loaders. Top loaders
are hardly even advertised anymore.
Until recently, many of the US-brand front loaders were built by
Electrolux AB.
Of course, ours are bigger than yours!
--Gene