Aha......gottcha

[xstitcher]

I keep my cleaning Soda in an old pink Vanish tub with it's original measuring spoon. I have just clocked it that that spoon is half the size of the measuring spoon we get now.

Are they making it weaker or are we getting ripped off? What are your views.

[jno]

... and the holes in toothpaste tubes are bigger.

[boxtops]

... so are Wagon Wheels (OH calls them Hub Caps these days)

[2sp_]

I think it's like most cleaning products, they want us to use more than we actually need so we buy more of it.

I water down my fabric softener, but then again I am very tight...

[xstitcher]

I suppose that we could find hundreds of such techniques to make us use more than we need to and it's up to us to experiment with how little we can use and still have it effective.

[2sp_]

I agree, xstitcher.

I rarely use the recommended dose for anything like that. As you say, it does take a bit of experimentation to get the right amount.

[EcclesCake]

Didn't Mr Colman make his Millions from the mustard left on the side of the plate???

[mikey4444]

Didn't realise that people still used Soda xstitcher !

[xstitcher]

I swear by it for cleaning burnt pots which happen a lot in this house because I am sitting here at the pc and forget the pot on the stove. Just a handful of soda and water. Let it come to the boil and simmer for about 5 to 10 min. Turn off the heat and let it cool and swish you end up with a lovely clean pot bottom. For really bad burns that look imposslible to get clean let it sit over night. Believe me you will bless me every time you do this.

[jno]

got any hints for non-stick pans that stick?

[chrissa1]

Annnnnnd. Hand Gel. I swear they make it very rubbery so that when you squige it out, most of it falls off your hand. Thus, requiring more to be squidged.

[Hopkirk]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2506914/Manufacturers-reduced-size-festive-boxes-chocolates-price-stays-same.html

[gingejbee]

Re the Vanish. I'd compare the labels on both the old and new containers...and you might find the answer.
It's common for manufacturers of cleaning products, detergents etc. to change formulations, active ingredient concentrations et al.
If you don't want to be "ripped off"...don't buy Vanish. Buy any cheap "oxi"-type powder....same active ingredient at a quarter the price.

[xstitcher]

When I was young in Canada my mum belonged to a consumer association. Every month they sent out a little newsletter about just the type of things we are talking about. I remember my mum's joy when they were able to get some of the bigger bacon people to package their bacon so that is wasn't just the meaty bits showing. I would imagine there are laws today about how much meat and how much fat etc.

I also remember an article telling how much it cost to manufacture lipstick from this little newsletter. The mark up was absolutly ridiculous and most probably still is.

[lyall]

On the cleaning products theme have you noticed that toilet cleaner is thinner, it used to 'stick' to the toilet bowl now it just seems to run down into the water. Also on the theme I’ve been shopping this morning and as usual got my 6 pack of walkers ridge crisps only to find now I’m home that they only have 5 packets in the pack for the same price! Swizz or what?

[2sp_]

lyall, phone Walkers and complain!

You paid for six packets, you expect to get six packets!

[lyall]

Don’t think it would do any good 2sp_ it clearly says on the packet that the pack contains 5 packets. I still have last week’s packet and the packets are exactly the same except one says contains 6 packs the other says 5! It'll be along the lines of Hopkirk's link to 'fewer chocolates in the tin' story; manufacturers don’t want to put prices up for fear of complaints so they reduce the size/contents. Do they think we don’t notice?

[2sp_]

I thought that they had missed a bag out of your six pack! They must think we won't notice stuff like that, or realise that there's not much we can do about it!

[lyall]

If very crafty of them. Well they have lost me as a purchaser; I won’t be buying any more of the ridges unless they are on offer, even though they are good.

[giveup]

jno,try boiling the pan with some biologal washing powder. Wors every time for me.

[xstitcher]

These posts are really great. You are all very much on your toes.