The internet is considered a constant distraction from the "real world" — the solid, fleshy, non-virtual realm of tangible existence.
And I suppose that's mainly true.
But online can also birddog you toward aspects of living existence that you might otherwise miss.
Consider the bottle of Dreft, above.
I was writing Monday morning, wanted to take a break, and thought I'd do some laundry, something I haven't done since my surgery. I filled a laundry basket, dragged it downstairs with my good arm, stuffed the clothing into the washing machine. But when I went to pour in some Tide, there just wasn't quite enough for a full load.
I looked around the little laundry room for fresh bottle, went into the basement where my wife stores her supplies. Nothing, which is odd for her. She normally stocks up at Costco. But she's been real busy attending to my needs, so no criticism implied or overt.
Looking down, I noticed the bottle of Dreft above, on the floor next to the dryer. Left over from when Grandkid #1 was staying with us. I figured, sure it's for babies, but it'll wash grown-up clothes, too, in a pinch. Right? I was about to add it to the Tide already poured when I looked closely at the label, wanting to confirm it was detergent and not, oh, lye or bleach or something else unsuitable in a detergent-like bottle.
Nothing. Which struck me as odd. So I took my phone and plugged in "What is Dreft?" and was informed that, yes, it is detergent, for baby clothes.
But curiosity lingered. Why nothing on the label? I asked the Internet again, and was told that brand awareness is so strong they don't want to waste space stating the obvious. So that yes, the word "detergent" is there. But in very tiny type. I looked again, scanning every square inch of the label, and finally found it.
Odd, right? I began looking at packages for other kinds of products. Oreo gives up the game by boldly declaring "MILK'S FAVORITE COOKIE." Band-Aid practically is a noun itself, but maintains its trademark status by adding "Brand Adhesive Bandages" in small, but locatable letters.
Odd with detergents. Maybe the word doesn't test well.
Am I just not awake or should I be concerned? I use All Free and Clear to hopefully evade all irritants but the same caution is on that bottle. Is there a reason you are worried about getting it in your eyes? Or, again, am I missing something???
ReplyDeleteDo I seem worried? I'm not quite following you here.
DeleteJust chalk it up to "not awake yet".
Deletetide makes a free and clear too
DeleteDetergent sheets work just fine for us. Saves all the bulk and potential mess of liquids.
ReplyDeleteAnon at 7:29. Do they make det. sheets in unscented?
DeleteIf you use the amount the bottle suggests, you can get away with less detergent. All the time, not just when you're running low. Just like we don't need a full toothbrush full of toothpaste. Manufacturers are just trying to sell more product (and on TV, a full brush of toothpaste looks nicer).
ReplyDeleteSame thing with shampoo. "Rinse and repeat" means you're using twice as much, and the makers can sell you twice as much in half the time. And yet, I do it anyway. America has always been the Land of the Scam.
Deleteso true about the detergents
Deletedoesn't anyone use det. pods here?
true about not so much shampoo or toothpaste needed
DeleteI believe Tide is one of the first heavy duty laundry detergents ever sold, it came out in 1947. Dreft is even older though.
ReplyDeleteDont forget the old Borax, 12 mule team detergent
Deletedreft is fine- careful going down those stairs with the basket and one arm tied up
ReplyDeleteget some orders delivered from WMart or amazon, some can be same day
get some woolite, gentler on clothes
ReplyDeleteOne doesn't have to put in as much detergent as the label claims you do. And try some pods, lighter.
ReplyDeleteHate pods. Don't need the added pollution from manufacture and use of individual wrappers.
DeleteAs a child of the sixties, it was all about the suds! Watch the old commercials. It was the proof of the cleaning power of the detergent. We used to swim in a lake with foamy bubbles from the homes surrounding it. And our highly polluted area rivers did the same especially in spring. Until the EPA (remember when they actually did something besides close their doors?) phosphates and surfacants polluted so many water sources they were banned.
DeleteGo to a laundromat. Directions on stickers warn use only a quarter capful even in the oversized washers. Not that most people listen...or can read?
if you want the convenience of pods but not the "i swear its not plastic" of the tide pods, you should take a look at blueland products. we use their hand soap and dishwasher tablets.
DeleteNice not to have to use a laundromat. Some are hard to find now. Even most apts have shared washers in basement or some right in unit.
DeleteGAry, they can't be that bad, the pods.
Deletepods are okay but some were eating them
DeleteWe have idiots who try eating them on dares. And toddlers getting their hands on them and anything in their hands usually go into their mouths. Don't know if it's all the dopers in our town too stoned to parent or the countysoaked alkies and methheads. Our county is vying hard for most arrested official contest.
DeleteFrom the thumb. Phosphates are restricted or banned in 11 states
DeleteNot federally
thanks for the tips on better pods, double B
Deleteand seventh nation has a clear dishwashing detergent
We used seventh generation for our dishes for nearly a decade before trying and switching to blueland. It cleans better for us. Now that could be our dishwasher, but yes, it is an excellent alternative.
DeleteWhen we had kids, someone gave us a coupon book that also included chapters about how to save money by making the right decisions. Which crib is the best, which is the safest, which is the most inexpensive. the book had sections on car seats, changing tables, strollers, and detergents.
ReplyDeletequick tip, IKEA's wooden crib is both the safest and least expensive.
Anyway, the book made a clear point that dreft is bought solely for the smell and is over priced and not needed. Using a little less than a full amount of any free and clear detergent is better, safer, cleaner, and more cost effective.
I did also learn, that we all use WAY too much detergent. Apparently its not good for our clothes or our washing machines. I've been trying to cut down on how much i use. My clothes don't smell, but who knows if i'm even clean at this point.
Anyway, glad your slowly getting back into the swing of things. For now you should stay off the L and away from lookout/make-out point.
I'm 68 years old and I had no idea there were so many hacks when it came to laundry. I'm just happy when I remember to put detergent in I've definitely run the machine without it a couple of times oddly the clothes seem Justice clean
ReplyDeleteFME- "justice clean?"
Deletefree and clear helped my exczema
DeleteI remember when Ivory made a baby detergeht.
Deleteyeas ago they didn't have no scent detergent-no scent dryer sheets are good
Deletenever use downey
You must miss driving, Neil.
DeleteAnonymous. I talked to my phone it hears what it hears
Deletedryer sheets are poison. Don't ever use em
DeleteNot only does everybody know what Tide and Dreft are, the jugs are pretty iconic, too. One of the interesting mysteries is how all laundry detergents ended up being packaged in identical containers. Industry standard?
ReplyDeleteAnd while I think of it, isn’t “Dreft” an odd name? Cross between Drift and Dreck?
I had three kids always helped out with the laundry never heard of Dreft never saw the product before
DeleteI believe we always used some hippie dippy kind of detergent / product and I just went along with the program.
My guess is whatever brand you buy and whatever it says they're all pretty much the same phosphates that pollute the water no avoiding it
There were dozens of detergents with goofy names in the 50s and 60s. Too many to list here. Click on this link for a trip to the corner of Memory Lane and WASHington Blvd.
Deletehttps://clickamericana.com/topics/home-garden/vintage-tide-laundry-detergent-ads-1950
I think the phosphates were taken out in the late 70's or so, FME.
DeletePretty to think so anonymous 222 the majority of detergents contain phosphates which contribute to the degeneration of aquatic water systems.
DeleteSomebody mentioned free and clear that is a phosphate free product there are a few others
Wasn't there one called Duz or something like that and a glass came in it? I remember those Flintstone jelly glasses, but I digress.
DeleteWhen the bottle is seemingly empty, you can get one more load done by filling it halfway with water and shaking it up. You’d be surprised at how much is on the sides and bottom of the bottle.
ReplyDeleteI second the recommendation of detergent sheets.
ReplyDeleteHere's a tip for getting your laundry downstairs without having to carry, or in your case, drag, a basket. Put dirty clothes in a garbage bag -- at the top of stairs, give the bag a little nudge with your foot. The bag rolls right to the bottom of the stairs and you didn't.
ReplyDeleteI just throw them over the staircase from above. But Tony, that's a good idea too.
ReplyDeletelooks like the laundry column is popular
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess I'm wasting my time doing all this political nonsense. More deep dives into the wash.
DeleteMaybe kitty litter tomorrow
DeleteI used sheets for a while, though they tested badly against other detergents. Sheets didn't seem less effective but that may just show we wash our clothes when they just aren't that dirty. I switched to tide free n clear because sheets don't do well removing odors and we have multiple animal companions.
ReplyDeleteNo, of course the pol. stuff is great too. I'm just saying this one I didn't think would do so well.
ReplyDeleteThe names of some things are so well-known that they don't need to be defined - like Tide, Jacuzzi, Zerox, Sharpie, Scotch Tape, PostIt.
ReplyDeleteAnd the most well-known of all: Kleenex.
Delete