I've been reading the comments from the ThriftyFun community. Many of us have had problems due to the new liquid laundry detergents, since there's been an excessive amount of soap left in the final rinse cycle.
Don't bother to follow the manufacturer's instructions since they want you to use more than what is really necessary to get your clothes clean. The faster you finish the bottle, the more you have to purchase. The detergent companies are not stupid, they want your money and want it fast.
I experimented with a number of my wash loads and have discovered for myself that 4 tablespoons equivalent to 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent is what you will need for one wash load, no matter if the wash load is small or large.
Repeatedly I checked the rinse cycle and there was no soap left in sight, just rinse water. Try it yourself!
By Marjorie from Lewiston, NY
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I have been doing that for a while now and it has been effective. I also use less than the suggested amount for liquid fabric softener and that works just as well too. And it is only me in my household so it lasts even longer. LI Roe
Yes, the lady who owns the laudrymat in our town told me not to use the recommended amount about 10 years ago. She said the same thing, the manufacturers just want us to have to buy more, but you can really use much less.
One of the Green oriented groups did a study a few years back and asked people to use half of the recommended amount of laundry detergent. They said that the manufacturers are asking us to put in as much as the water will find soluble, not the smaller amount which is as much as the dirty clothing really needs. I can't recall the name of the group as it was too long ago.
I started using 1 cup white distilled vinegar in each load of laundry along with my detergent. This takes out what our water machine doesn't of the left over detergent, sediments in the water. But it won't strip the softener out or the colors. I get a fresher, more softer fabric then before using the vinegar. I got this idea from my niece. And I don't have to use less detergent that way.
Yes less works just a well, also with other cleaners and you bath products like shampoo and etc.
what does this mean?
I also use half the recommend amount of laundry detergent. Our clothes aren't very dirty. They only need to be freshened up. I recently purchased a HE (High Efficiency) washer and dryer and continue to use half the recommended amount. But I wanted to share with you the information the salesclerk gave me when I bought the machine last month. He said they had to go to a seminar. One of the things they were shown at the seminar was the leader washed a load of laundry using the recommended amount of detergent and put it through the cycle, rinse, etc. Then, he started the wash cycle over again and this time didn't add any detergent. There were suds in the laundry basket just as if he had added detergent!
I agree with this one. For the past few years I've been using a cup of white vinegar along with either a cup of baking soda or a handful of borax in the washer. For detergent I use just a very little in each load and my clothes do wash and rinse out much better. Another thing someone mentioned here was the odor left in the washer and in the drain lines from the soap residue. Using my method I have also eliminated that.
Mary, Lewiston, NY
I have decided that I will not pay the huge price for laundry detergent any longer. Today, I picked up Borax, Washing Soda and Fels-Naptha soap to make my own. A couple of tablespoons is all it takes. That makes each load about 2 cents per load. No more being a slave to the liquid detergent when I can make about a gallon and one half and have it last forever.
I also went with the Borax, Washing Soda and Fels-Naptha soap for awhile, but found it didn't really get stains out very well, not just the heavy construction work stains we have, but regular ones as well. It seemed like our clothes were getting awfully dingy with it. I'm going to try the borax plus vinegar, and see how that does.
Vicki
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Here's what I have discovered. When using brand name liquid laundry soap, I can make it last longer by using less than the amount the manufacturer suggests. I still use the provided cup to measure the amount of soap I'm using but I use half the amount suggested. When done measuring, I also throw in the cup to contribute every last bit of laundry soap used. There's no waste. I get my clothes clean and I stretch my dollars further! Give it a try.
By Lisa from Halifax, Nova Scotia
I do the same but about 75%. Still works great. (03/07/2007)
By Robin
I, also only use half, sometimes less then half. Clothes are very clean. I save every way I can. Always use brand names. (03/07/2007)
By Shonda
Can do the same with dishwasher detergent. My sister had an appliance repairman tell her that. Also, when doing laundry, our clothes are lightly soiled so I don't run for more than 4-5 minutes wash. I hope this also will save wear and tear on my washer over the years. (03/12/2007)
By Dede
I do this as well. With fabric conditioner, I buy a good one that I like the smell of, I use a tablespoon in the dispenser and also add a small eggcup full of white vinegar.
When washing towels, I never use fabric conditioner as I find they are not so absorbent. I use the vinegar as a conditioner. Works really well. Also I believe kinder to the environment as it reduces the amount of chemicals used.
(07/26/2007)
By Janice
I've gone organic. I use Seventh Generation and Country Safe. Both are mild. You use even less of it than the regular detergents. (07/26/2007)
By Ceres
