As many of you know, my wife and I are going to have a new baby in less than one month. A few nights ago, while washing some ‘onesies’ for out little girl, I noticed something about the laundry detergent cap.

On the back of the detergent bottle, there are ‘recommended’ amounts for various types of ‘laundry loads’. For a medium-sized load, the manufacturer suggested that I fill the cap to line “1″. I looked on the outside of the cap and I couldn’t find any numbers. But, on the inside, there they were. Very faintly, there were three lines - 1, 2, and 3.

Here’s a picture of the cap -

cap.png

The ‘red arrow’ is pointing to ‘line 1′ - The recommended amount for a ‘medium load’.

The ‘black arrow’ is pointing to ‘line 2′ - The recommended amount for a ‘large load’.

The blue line (with no arrow) is pointing to ‘line 3′ - This line is not mentioned in the instructions. Why? I have no idea. But, I assure you, there is a ‘line 3′.

Now, for the interesting part. The ‘natural line’ - marked in green - and the point to where I’ve always filled the laundry cap in the past - is well above the ‘recommended line’.

As you can see, the recommended amount for a medium load is equal to less than 1/4 of a cup. But, the line to which the eye is naturally ‘drawn’ - the green line - is almost 1/2 of a cup.

The bottle states that there are 16 loads per bottle - But, that’s ONLY true if you use ‘line 1′ - the line suggested for medium loads. Use any line above ‘line 1′ and you’ll get less than 16 loads per bottle. Use the ‘green line’ and you’ll only get 8!

I took a look at two other bottles of laundry detergent that we had in the house - and both of them showed remarkably similar characteristics. So, when washing your clothes, and using store-bought detergents, be sure that you are using the ‘recommended’ amounts - and that you are using the right ‘line’.

By the way - For any and all who read this - While this post is meant to point out a useful money-saving tip, I am fully aware that taking the time to photograph, highlight, and post a picture of a laundry cap (and then write a blog post about it) is a ‘wee bit’ insane. But, then again, so is living in 2008 and not using a credit card. :)

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