Wedding gowns are such fun to talk about, but now it's time to move on to things practical and everyday-ish, things like: how much detergent to measure into the washing machine.
I was refilling my old 2-gallon crock with my favorite laundry detergent -- powdered Arm & Hammer -- as I do regularly. You know how the green scoop is always stuck into the box? Well, for some reason I looked at it and noticed, as I have a couple times before, that there are lines way down at the bottom of the scoop. I thought, "Gee, maybe I should read the directions on the box. (what a clever idea that is) Perhaps I'm not measuring out the right amout into my washloads." As I read, I realized that I was probably measuring double the amount called for in the instructions. "But," thought I, "why the big scoop if I need so little?" I determined then and there that I was NOT going to use that dumb green scoop any longer, and I certainly didn't want my sons to get the idea that they needed to pour an entire green cupful of soap into the washer for every load so I took the cup up to the kitchen and filled it with water to the proper measuring line as directed on the big yellow box. Then I poured that amount into a kitchen measuring cup and it measured a meager 1/4 cup! Did you know that's approximately 3 tablespoons? Ack!! I have been pouring needless amounts of Arm & Hammer through my washer for nothing! Now I ask you, how many of you are reading your laundry detergent box or bottle? How many of you are measuring out exactly the amount for a "normal" washload? Or am I the only one measuring out double the amount because it "just looks about right?" Sometimes I wonder if these concentrated soaps and detergents are meant to confuse and confound the simple, unassuming homemaker and swindle her out of her hard-earned cash? Do you remember the days when we really did use a full cup of Tide in the laundry tub? Those days are gone, my friends. Just read the instructions.
Now for your assignment.........
Go to your laundry detergent box or bottle and find the proper measurement for an average washload, then do what I did, and buy a new set of stainless steel measuring cups and put the 1/4 cup measuring cup right into the detergent or into the cupboard and use it! Instruct your children in the way they should measure as well.
Onward!
Clarice,
ReplyDeleteJust so you know....I didn't make this laundry soap, it's just the brand I buy and use most. I have made laundry soap before, but I prefer the powder I buy.
I'll go see what Junie's doing!
~Jody
Oh, your post made me smile--it's so funny but so true. I am going to do what you suggested about the scoops as I've taken them for granted, too, and relied on instinct all this time.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you try my laundry detergent recipe--it's ever so scrumptious.
Junie, I think I may try your laundry soap recipe. I'm sure I have all the ingredients on my shelf. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDelete~Jody
I was wondering the very same thing this week about my liquid laundry detergent. If we only need such a small amount, why does the manufacturer make the cups so hard to read? Is it to make us purchase more of their product more frequently? Are we ruining our clothes needlessly with all that extra soap?
ReplyDeleteI haven't found a good solution yet for the liquid measurements. Perhaps I'll try to find a clear plastic cup I can mark with a permanent marker for my family to use.
Oh no your letting there secrete out! What are they going to do if we all smarten up. :) Now they are even selling smaller more concentrated liquids. Now it is time to clear the shelve of the big bottles at the reduced price. Then the cost will go up again. I love arm and hammer the liquid. I have a front loader.
ReplyDeleteWell I'll be! I have been just blissfully pouring a full cup in. I guess I figured I knew how to do laundry by now. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI will definately be saving some on laundry detergent now.
Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. I don't remember how I found you blog, probably followed a link from someone's blog or maybe one of your post. Anyway, I'm glad I did!