Purex Detergent - Sneaky Inflation

[prncess674]

So I know that marketers are always looking for ways to fool the eye, but I thought this one was really sneaky. I bought a new container of detergent last week but still had a little left in the old container. I didn’t have enough to do a complete load so I opened the new bottle and was shocked at how much bigger the cap was. The cap is the only measurement given on the back for determining how much to use.

Both bottles hold 2.12 L (2,120 mL) and state 46 loads per bottle. This would equate to approximately 46 mL per regular load. Both bottles show that you should use a half a cap of detergent.

Cap A holds ~100mL (or ~50mL per load) Cap B holds ~125mL (~62mL per load). That equates to 25% more detergent used per load. If you use Cap B you only get 34 loads per bottle rather than the 46 loads per bottle stated on the label.

I know this isn't the first and last time, but just thought I would point it out!

 

[Aryn]

That is very sneaky! I have heard about companies changing the number of Oz by changing the size of the bottle, but I have never seen that!

 

[tkitty]

Wow!! Great detective work! Same on you Purex...

 

[luvmy3]

That is sneaky and I can't say I'm surprised. There have been alot of things like this happening with grocery items for the past year or so.
I do have to say, I'm very impressed with your detective work and display of your findings

ETA Purex is on sale at CVS starting tomorrow Buy 1 get 1 free with card.

 

[FINFAN]

nice find...and incidently, most poeple use more detergent than is actually needed per load as it is. One way to test if you are using too much> Wash a load of towels using your normal or the detergent recommended amount. Then re-wash them without detergent. Check your washer part way thru and if you see soap suds, well, you know you are using too much.

 

[mrspaha]

I have never thought to compare like you just did. Good catch!

Your post caught my eye initially because I was just at the supermarket a little while ago, and noticed a display they had with purex on sale -- would have bought a bottle, but I knew I had coupons at home, so I thought I would just get it next time. But, just looking at the bottles, the bottles looked smaller (You know, how everything is going from 1/2 gal to 1 3/4 qts, 16 oz bottles to 12 oz, etc etc etc.)

Something I've noticed with Tide's liquid detergent is that you can get the same size bottle ounce-wize, yet the # of loads per bottle is different between the Tide with bleach alternative and regular Tide.

It's a major undertaking these days to figure out your best values with all these ultra-this and double-roll that and 33% more bonus packs, etc.

 

[prncess674]

ETA Purex is on sale at CVS starting tomorrow Buy 1 get 1 free with card.

Thanks for the tip! I decided to pour the new bottle into the old bottle so I could use the smaller cap.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

There must be a contact number on the bottle, it would be very interesting to hear what they have to say about this.

 

[manning]

So I know that marketers are always looking for ways to fool the eye, but I thought this one was really sneaky. I bought a new container of detergent last week but still had a little left in the old container. I didn’t have enough to do a complete load so I opened the new bottle and was shocked at how much bigger the cap was. The cap is the only measurement given on the back for determining how much to use.

Both bottles hold 2.12 L (2,120 mL) and state 46 loads per bottle. This would equate to approximately 46 mL per regular load. Both bottles show that you should use a half a cap of detergent.

Cap A holds ~100mL (or ~50mL per load) Cap B holds ~125mL (~62mL per load). That equates to 25% more detergent used per load. If you use Cap B you only get 34 loads per bottle rather than the 46 loads per bottle stated on the label.

Beat them at their game. Pour contents into old bottle and throw away the new bottle.

 

[msmayor]

Good find? Maybe. Did you pour water into the old cap up to the line, and then pour it into the new 'smaller' cap and see if it meets or exceeds the line?

Its possible they made the cap smaller but moved the line higher, and you're still using the same amount of detergent.

 

[prncess674]

Good find? Maybe. Did you pour water into the old cap up to the line, and then pour it into the new 'smaller' cap and see if it meets or exceeds the line?

Its possible they made the cap smaller but moved the line higher, and you're still using the same amount of detergent.

I think you are missing the point. The picture shows 1/2 a cap. Cap B is 25% larger, so most consumers will use 25% more based on the picture. There are 6 different lines inside each cap labeled A, B, C, D, 1, 2. They are difficult to read and are the same color as the cap. I doubt anyone is that dilligent. Most people go by the picture on the container which shows using a 1/2 a cap. I am sure they aren't violating any laws but it is very deceptive.

 

[msmayor]

I think you are missing the point. The picture shows 1/2 a cap. Cap B is 25% larger, so most consumers will use 25% more based on the picture. There are 6 different lines inside each cap labeled A, B, C, D, 1, 2. They are difficult to read and are the same color as the cap. I doubt anyone is that dilligent. Most people go by the picture on the container which shows using a 1/2 a cap. I am sure they aren't violating any laws but it is very deceptive.

I don't think I'm missing the point.

The picture is only a representation, not an accurate indicator of how much to use - that's why the lines are in the cup. (and for the record, based on your picture, I don't think Cap B is 25% larger. Looks more like the "cuff" of the new cap is just lower; the caps look nearly the same size)

If the size of the container is the same (it is) and they haven't changed the number of loads that container can wash (they didn't) then any 'difference' in the actual loads done by the consumer is because they didn't measure correctly.

 

[runwad]

Beat them at their game. Pour contents into old bottle and throw away the new bottle.

No need to go to all that trouble just keep and use the old cap

 

[prncess674]

I don't think I'm missing the point.

The picture is only a representation, not an accurate indicator of how much to use - that's why the lines are in the cup.

If the size of the container is the same (it is) and they haven't changed the number of loads that container can wash (they didn't) then any 'difference' in the actual loads done by the consumer is because they didn't measure correctly.

We will just have to agree to disagree, I find the picture to be deceptive advertising. The line is in the exact same place in each depiction even though one cap is 25% larger and if you notice the cap depiction is larger on bottle B but yet the line doesn't move to a lower place on the picture.

Perhaps you just like to be contrarian, but everyone else here seems to believe it is deceptive advertising. The manufacturer hopes you use the easy to read bottle picture rather than tilting the cap to see the hard to read barely visible line mixed in between the other six lines inside the cap.

Why in the world would they have A, B, C, D, 1 & 2 inside the cap when there is no mention of why those other confusing lines are inside the cap other than the 1?

 

[MickeyP]

Yes! It's very deceptive! They had several of these featured in Consumer's Report either this month or last month. Most depicted how the packaging has changed.

 

[Lewisc]

Good catch. If you get a response back I'm sure it will say something like...We listened to our customers. The bottles and caps are easier to pour.

Adults with lightly soiled clothing. You can probably use less detergent then suggested by the mfg.

 

[kasdancer]

I agree, very deceptive. I have also noticed how many detergents are telling you 20% free, but they are actually just giving what used to be in the old bottles since they are shrinking the new bottles.

 

[ceecee]

There must be a contact number on the bottle, it would be very interesting to hear what they have to say about this.

I agree! Don't let all that detective work go to waste, call them on it.

 

[Judique]

We will just have to agree to disagree, I find the picture to be deceptive advertising. The line is in the exact same place in each depiction even though one cap is 25% larger and if you notice the cap depiction is larger on bottle B but yet the line doesn't move to a lower place on the picture.

Perhaps you just like to be contrarian, but everyone else here seems to believe it is deceptive advertising. The manufacturer hopes you use the easy to read bottle picture rather than tilting the cap to see the hard to read barely visible line mixed in between the other six lines inside the cap.

Why in the world would they have A, B, C, D, 1 & 2 inside the cap when there is no mention of why those other confusing lines are inside the cap other than the 1?

Maybe you could send a link to this thread to the Purex company.

And - good catch!

I just yesterday explained to my son that he didn't need to use as much detergent as he was using. I had to rerinse the load twice to get the soap out!

When I went to put the items in the dryer I could feel the soap on the clothes.

 

[zoemurr]

if you "need" more of it now because they made the water content of the soap higher?