Got this from the Dollar Stretcher tips. I always try to use less than the amount called for but I never thought of cutting it down to the size I wanted. Would give more consistent results, I am headed to the laundry room now with my scissors.

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FROM THE DOLLAR STRETCHER:

I am careful with laundry detergent. I like to buy the top brands like Tide, but don't want to spend any more than I have to. If you look at the scoop that comes with the detergent, it has two or three lines on it, depending on the size of the load. I took my scissors and cut the scoop at the "normal" load markings. That way I don't use a little more than called for. It may not seem like much, but in a whole box of detergent, it can add up to a couple of loads.

I also was curious whether I actually washed the number of loads stated on the box. So I put a piece of masking tape on the box, and made a check mark every time I scooped detergent. I got two loads more than the box stated. So cutting the scoop down to size really made a difference and my clothes were still nice and clean. Joanne

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 28, 2002

Answers

I seldom use the amount recommended unless the clothes are really filthy.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

In addition to using less detergent, I allow my laundry to soak in the tub for about an hour before I start the machine.

I use this "less" rule on just about everything from dishwashing liquid to shampoo to fabric softner. Most of these liquids are highly concentrated. The "recommended" amounts are intended to get you to use more so you'll buy more.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (Trevilians@attbi.net), February 28, 2002.

I always use less soap powders but my clothes get just as clean because I alway put the washer on pre soak. It give the soap time to work on the grime before it agatates.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), February 28, 2002.

If I let the clothes soak an hour, I'd NEVER get the wash done! I do at least two loads every day (7 days a week); usually three or four. I like to get it all washed and hung early in the morning before the rest of the house and all the school work starts screaming for my attention.

I thought this bucket would last one more week, but it has run out today. I won't be getting more until Monday, so I can count on taking 2-3 days to catch up on it all.

I use a smaller scoop and don't fill it all the way up. The problem is, as Melissa can relate, I sometimes miss a load that's still in the washer, and so have to wash it again because of the smell.

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 28, 2002.

Cathy if I run out of laundry soap, I still do laundry! Try a capful of shampoo, a squirt of dish soap, or my favorite, just melt down some bar soap in a pan of water and make it liquid. I used this once for a whole winter when I didn't have much money. Cale had worked out of town and brought home these tiny bars of soap. (The hotel gave them 2 little bars a day, but he only used one or two a week, so he had lots of them.) I melted them in an old pan, covered it with a lid and used a small scoop for each load. After a while it would get thick, so I would add some water and another little bar of soap and melt it again. The clothes smelled good, and were just as clean as with the laundry soap. It is worth a try at least. I like to do laundry each day as well, but I take Sunday off!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 28, 2002.

Most of the powdered detergents have ground up peanut shells in them. I don't buy them any more. I use the liquid, at about half the rate it states on the bottle. We have soft water, and it REALLY saves on the soap consumption.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

Try doing a search for laundry soap on the internet. There are lots of Natural do it your self recepies. and If you look hard enough you wil find lots of cheap methods. Also look into biodegradable soaps. you can use 100% biodegradable soaps for everything, even brushing your teeth!! Plus you hardly need to use any at all. I go canoeing up north a lot and all I take is one little bottle. I can do all my dishes, cleaning, laundry, bathing (even hair), using maybe 1/2 cup for 2 people for 4 days! So look into this one if you are really looking for a way to not only save, but to be using a harmless product. you can even consume this stuff ( not that I'd want to try, But at least I know if someone did the worst thing that would happen to them is that they would clean out their insides. Ha! Ha!)

-- an easy answer to Soap (be_alida@hotmail.com), October 09, 2002.