Doc's BrainDump

The Musings Of A Carbon Based Life Form

They Are Robbing Us With "The Man Line": You Must Read This!

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I decided to do a little house inbox processing today since it was a holiday. In the circles of GTD'rs that means knockout some chores, tidy up the workspace, and process my inbox. Somehow, this led me to doing a few loads of laundry... a rare feat for me. No really I just hate to do laundry. I today found a Michael Moore-esque corporate faux pas from the detergent manufactures. 

On the back of the detergent bottle, there are "recommended" amounts for various types of "laundry loads". For a medium-sized load, the manufacturer suggested that I fill the cap to "line 1". I looked on the outside of the cap and I couldn't find any numbers. But, on the inside, there they were. Very faintly, there were three lines – 1, 2, and 3.

"line 1" – The recommended amount for a "medium load".
"line 2" – The recommended amount for a "large load".
"line 3" – This line is not mentioned in the instructions. Why? I have no idea. But, I assure you, there is a "line 3".

Now, for the interesting part. The "natural line" or the "Man Line" – not labeled just the one almost at the top – and the point to where I've always filled the laundry cap in the past – is well above the "recommended line".
Ladies: Why the "Man Line" you ask... because us guys think if "x" amount is good or recommended the "y" amount must be better. To validate that remark just smell the cologne of any man who only occasionally gets dressed up :)

As you can see, the recommended amount for a medium load is equal to less than 1/4 of a cup. But, the line to which the eye is naturally drawn – "Man or  Natural Line" – is almost 1/2 of a cup.

The bottle states that there are 32 loads per bottle – But, that’s ONLY true if you use "line 1" – the line suggested for medium loads. Use any line above "line 1" and you’ll get less than 32 loads per bottle. Use the ‘man line’ and you’ll only get 16!

I took a look at two other bottles of laundry detergent in the house – and both of them showed remarkably similar characteristics. So, when washing your clothes, and using store-bought detergents, be sure that you are using the "recommended" amounts – and that you are using the right "line".

Extra Bonus Feature: A tip from my Big sister "Tiana"... To keep the bottle clean, she taught me to fill the cap with the detergent and toss the whole cap soap and all into the wash (remove it before the dry to be safe).  When the load is done put the clean cap back on the bottle. :)

#Aloha