Laundry detergent question

[DixieJ]

How much laundry detergent to use per load. I'm trying to cut back in my cleaning supply costs. I've got 4 bottles of the 32 load Tide detergent that cost me $2.50 per bottle on sale after coupons. I'm going to try to see how long I can make these last. I know that with Tide you certainly don't need a full capfull, plus we don't get our clothes that dirty. I'm just curious how much detergent do you use per load?

Dixie Jean

[thriftstorequeen]

I just barely cover the bottom of the cap per laod. I'd say it's about 1 tablespoon full. My clothes come out clean and I usally use Adli brand soap. I don't really know how many loads I get. Maybe I;ll check it out sometime this year.

[watchingpennies]

I usually use half a capful...probably could get away with less but I also use that detergent to pretreat any mess that my youngest daughter has on her clothes (and there are many!!) I use a generic brand or whatever is cheapest.

[PrairieRose]

I usually make my own and use a cup per load but when using store bought I use 1/2 of what's called for or half of the cap.

[kpnskendra]

We buy the 140 load of Surf w/All from Sam's Club for $11.88 or so. It usually lasts us 6 months. We only use 1/2 of the recommended amount per load. I actually started using Borax in my laundry recently and I might be able to extend the Surf detergent because Borax helps boost the laundry detergent power so not much will be needed of the detergent. Wal-Mart also sells the Surf w/All, only it is 120 load for like $10.98.

[frugalfriend]

I'm interested in trying this too. I go through way too much detergent! What I'm wondering is how do you really know if your clothes are getting clean though?! Rely on how they smell? LOL I read an article online once about the things that are left on our clothes (really yucky stuff!) after they are washed unless bleach is used. Uggghh! I don't know if color-safe bleach does the same job chlorine bleach does, anyone know?

[staceyy]

I always use one half capful of Tide.

[nuisance26]

~I use 1-3 Tablespoons per load. I air-dry my clothes in my sun-filled sunroom. They smell detergent fresh and the sun bleaches out stains! My last 100 oz bottle lasted 96 loads!~

[Katybird]

I always use Gain, I use 1/4 capful for my clothes and scrubs and 1/2 capful for DH's clothes. If I am doing towels or whites I use 1/2 capful and run them threw the rinse cycle twice.

[Mom23boys]

I use half of what it calls for.

[marym]

I use 1/2 capful of Tide. A full cap is way to much, I end up having to rinse twice.

[she who can not cook]

someone has been doing this measuring useage on laundry powder and fabric con and got a lot of washes out on it

[Telephus44]

I use 1/2 a capful most of the time. If I'm washing baby stained clothing (or maybe some other heavy stains, but right now DH has a desk job that keeps him clean) I'll use 2/3 or 3/4 of a capful.

I actually used a whole laundry detergent sample (Tide Simple Pleasures with Lavendar and Vanilla) last week in one load of laundry, and I can still smell it on my sheets. Nice smell, but now I know that it is just way too strong for me to use the "recommended" amount.

[PreKTeacher]

I use Gain and a half a cap full works just fine. When I open a new bottle ,I am going to date it to see how long it lasts.

[bumplett]

I use homemade det & use 1/2 cap full & add a 1/4 cup of white vinegar for heavily soiled & whites