Less soap powder.....

My wife always goes for the larger soap powder boxes and the previous one stated "45 washes", the weight on the box stated 3.185kg. The latest box we purchased, (same size box, same brand,) states 40 washes and the weight is down to 2.600kg. Considerably less, that's for sure!

Anyone else noticed?

Malc.

Re: Less soap powder.....

Not noticed that as we always use the tabs but nothing surprises me.

Re: Less soap powder.....

I don't use powder anymore either. I prefer the liquid. A small bottle seems to go a long way and costs about £4 depending on what's on offer. Liquid detergent seems to disperse a lot better than powder and it keeps the washing machine dispenser cleaner, unlike the powders.

Re: Less soap powder.....

They are constantly improving the stuff and finding machines work better with less. I haven't used powder since I found pods are much more effective and cause less problems in the wash.

Re: Less soap powder.....

I have used Persil non bio since I first did my own washing. I do use far less here in Devon than I did when we lived in Slough, the water is much softer here & the washing machines have evolved too.

Re: Less soap powder.....

We moved off washing powder over a year ago. We both found that the Persil non bio which we'd used for years had started "burning us" leaving our skin with itchy irritated red rashes.

Upon Googling this it transpired that 1000s of people were all reporting the same issues, not just with Persil but other brands too.

The manufacturers had changed their formulas and the resulting powders were either extremely alkaline and/or caustic.

In researching that I found out about homemade washing powder and ever since I have made my own. It's very cheap, very simple, washes the clothes just fine and smells great.

It is made with a bag of DP Soda Crystals and bars of natural soap (which are free from all parabens and other nasties).

You simply grate 4 bars of soap using a microplaner or equiv and mix with a bag of soda crystals.

I buy soaps from Faith In Nature as they are totally free of bad ingredients. I use 2 bars of Lavender and 2 bars of Rosemary with one bag of Soda Crystals (£1 a bag from Tescos and other supermarkets).

Works a treat,

Re: Less soap powder.....

I think the point Malc was making is the amount of powder has decreased although the packaging and price have stayed the same. Or maybe the price has increased?

And yes, I've noticed this with lots of things. Hellmanns 1000 Island dressing for one. Changed the formulation (i.e. they've added a load of vinegar to it), "redesigned" the bottle so it's 15% smaller and stuck 40p on the price.

Bye bye Hellmanns.

Re: Less soap powder.....

Me too Aerolor. I switch to the liquid abut 10 years ago and would never go back now.....

I also switched to the liquid Baby soap, can't think of the name right off the bat. It is a little more expensive, but I don't get "itchy" when I use it.

I had read on a forum that someone said Tide caused them to be itchy. I thought I would make a switch and sure enough, no more itch. Oh yes, it is called Ivory Snow, pink, with a baby on the front. Any baby soap would probably be better for us, but that is just my opinion......

Re: Less soap powder.....

Yes I have noticed that everything has less!
I use liquid for washing as powder leaves residue, it also blocked our drains once.
Although that fabric conditioner really smells awful in the drains.

Re: Less soap powder.....

I just buy a box of whichever's cheapest, usually supermarket own brand. Clothes no longer get dirty like they used to when men did manual work, so probably a dribble of Fairy liquid or liquid soap would do the job just as well.