This might sound just silly, but dh and I were both commenting the other day on how LONG our laundry detergent bottle is lasting us. I am using the tip I found here about using half just a little bit of detergent - nowhere near the recommended amount from the detergent company. Our clothes have been washing up great, and we don't notice any negatives. We use the cheap brand, Xtra in his concentrated form. The bottle says it'll wash 50 loads, but the way I have it calculated, we are getting about 125-130 loads with the amount of detergent I'm using.

I'm doing laundry today, and I'm nearing the end of one bottle. I told dh that I want to write today's date on the NEW bottle, so that when the new bottle runs out we'll know how long we used it. Does that sound completely pointless, or have you done something like that?

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I don't think it's pointless....It will give you an idea of how much you saved! That's never pointless....I'd go one step further and track how many loads I got out of the bottle, then compare it to what the bottle advertises.

I use less than the reccomended amout too and am realizing just how much we save!

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Rachel, I use the half amount, too, and have noticed it going a lot further. I think writing the date on the bottle is a great idea. Then you will see how long it lasts and will further your resolve on how the little things really do add up to a lot of savings!!

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Funny you should bring this up because just yesterday I had to start on my new bottle. I bought detergent before Christmas thinking I would need it, and it lasted so much longer than I thought. I think I'll do the same thing and go write it on mine!

I did the same thing for a can of espresso coffee. It was $15.00 a can and I wanted to know how many cups we got out of it. It was much more than I thought so the price didn't bother me as much

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I am using half the amount (using powder, tide with bleach) and my soap is lasting almost 2 weeks. thats a looong time for us. so no, not pointless

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That's a great way to think! Not only are you saving money on the detergent, but your clothes are probably lasting longer (I like Xtra, too) and it is one less thing you're running to the store to purchase.

I'm inspiredto date several of the products in my house, including my shampoo and laundry detergent. Great idea!

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Great idea! I think I will try dating some items as well when I replace them next just to see how long they really do last.

Thanks for the tip!

I always date things, always have. I think I got that from my mom. I even put the date on the back of my coffee pot I got not even a yr. ago and already it doesn't work. For some reason I go through alot of them.

I date anything I want to see how long it lasts.

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I also have been using half (or even less if the load is small). I like the idea of dating a new box! It would probably help toward planning out your grocery lists too. Great idea!

i dont think its silly. i keep meaning to do it but seam to always forget.