Okay. So, I'm one of those people that likes to read random articles online and learn about all sorts of useless crap. Sometimes the stuff I read actually contains some valuable information and oftentimes it is just drivel.
However, I had seen mentioned a few different times in a few different places that most people use much more laundry detergent in each load than actually necessary. In fact, most of us use so much detergent in each wash that our clothes are suffering from the abuse. They are wearing out quicker, getting stiffer, and are full of soap residue which makes them dingy and causes us to need to replace these items sooner.
Why do so many of us do this? Oh yeah, because we (like suckers, apparently) follow the directions on the box (or bottle) and use the amount RECOMMENDED by the manufacturer. Silly us! Why on earth would we think that following the directions is in the best interest of us and our clothes? I mean, who ever got ahead or was rewarded in any way, shape, or form for doing what they are told? So, why do we start submitting now...when the life of our favorite t-shirt is at stake!?!! It's insanity I tell you!!
So, really? Detergent manufacturer's are so hard up that they blatantly deceive us into using more of their product than necessary (or even advisable) so that we will run out sooner and buy more? It's a conspiracy I tell you!!! The detergent manufacturers are in cahoots with the clothing manufacturers. You see, they BOTH benefit. We use more and more detergent (laundry detergent company wins) which causes our clothes to deteriorate and get all dingy and nasty sooner... and then we have to go out and buy more clothes (clothing manufacturers win). So, who is the big loser in all of this? Us, OUR wallets..... AND our favorite pair of underwear too!!!
Anyhow, now that we got THAT all cleared up and you all now know to use 1/3 to 1/2 of what the packaging states, I will move on to the real point of the story.
So, my wife (who is lovely by the way) tends to have eyes bigger than her stomach. Not a big deal, right? We all have moments where we struggle with that. Anyhow, she repeatedly seems to pour herself a huge bowl of cereal and then only eat about a third of it before she is stuffed and has to stop.
So, I (like a good husband) try to keep my mouth shut for the most part and not say: "oh, yeah...uh, maybe next time only make an amount you can actually eat." MANY times (throughout 5+ years of marriage) of seeing this occur I was successful and just remained silent. However, one night I thought to make my point while using the laundry detergent example. You see, my wife was actually glad when I told her about the articles I read on laundry detergent. She was more than fine with using less of it and it is one of those few occasions where my random reading actually caused something in our lives to change. We now use less detergent. Save some money...save some clothes. Yay us.
ANYWAYS: On this particular evening as my smokin' hot wife comes to the table with a HUGE bowl of cereal, I say: "So, I was reading this article on yahoo.com..." Now, this is not at all an unusual way for me to start a sentence/conversation. Remember, I mentioned I am always reading about random crap on the internet.
Back to the story: "So, I was reading this article on yahoo.com. It was saying how cereal is a lot like laundry detergent, in that you really need to use MUCH less than you would initially assume." There was a bit of a pause and a "say what?" expression for a minute, as I did a good job at keeping a straight face and informative tone. When she realized that I was full of crap and mocking her after a second or two, she laughed and muttered something about me needing to be nice. Whatevs. I'm pretty nice, for the most part...but, I just couldn't resist!
Now whenever we are tempted to fill our plates, bowls, or whatever with too much food we make sure to say: "cereal is a lot like laundry detergent." It puts it all into perspective.
Sean
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