Proctor and Gamble makes a variety of familiar products under various brand names.  As we noted last October, we were awaiting details on a predictable next wave of retail price increases for products in the chemical and household cleaner segment.

Today, P&G announced an average price increase to retailers of 8% on their laundry products (Tide, Gain, etc.) effective with the next fulfillment of supplier purchase orders.  On the liquid detergents, that’s an average increase well over $1 per bottle…. YIKES.

(VIA CNN Business) – It’s going to cost you more to wash your clothes. Procter & Gamble (PG) said Wednesday that it was raising prices by an average of about 8% on retail customers next month for its Tide and Gain laundry detergents, Downy fabric softener and Bounce dryer sheets.

[…] “Transportation and labor markets remain tight. Availability of materials remain stretched,” P&G CEO Jon Moeller said on an analyst call Wednesday. “In some categories and in some markets, inflationary pressures are broad-based with little sign of near-term relief.” P&G makes many of the most recognizable brands in US homes, such as Gillette, Charmin, Bounty, Pampers and Crest.

[…] Moeller said P&G has raised prices on all 10 of its product categories in the United States and told retailers Tuesday it will be increasing prices on some personal health care brands in April, although he didn’t specify which ones. (P&G makes Metamucil, Neurobion, Pepto-Bismol and Vicks.)  (read more)

OCTOBER WARNING – The wholesale prices of products into the system that end up at the retail level is still through the roof.   In a major way, this is being driven by massive increases in energy costs throughout the entire supply chain.

This is going to get even uglier.  Even if wages jumped in price 5% overnight (single month), which would be a large increase in wages, those wage increases are nowhere near enough to deal with this level of price increase at a consumer level.   A nickel more per dollar earned is futile against a loaf of bread costing $1 more, or gasoline at $4.00/gal.

Do what you can do now to start preparing your weekly budget in ways you may not have thought about before.   Shop sales, use coupons, look for discounts and products that can be reformulated into multiple meals or multiple uses.   Shelf-stable food products that can be muti-purposed with proteins is a good start.

Consider purchasing the raw materials for cleaning products and reformulate them yourself to avoid these massive increases in petroleum costs.  Most working families use laundry detergent, and that cost is going through the roof with no signs of slowing down.

♦ EXAMPLE – Several years ago, a dear friend showed us a method for making laundry detergent at home along with a bucket.  After using this for several weeks (and then making it) I was stunned at how simple, cost-effective, and good it works. Not only does it save big $$, but it works better than, or at least as good as, Tide or any other high-priced name brand product for literally pennies on the dollar.

What You’ll Need: {check your local store’s laundry aisle}

 

 

  • 1/2 Cup: Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda {not Baking Soda}
  • 1/2 Cup: Borax {you might be able to print a coupon here}
  • 1/3 Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap {Mark the bar in thirds before using}
  • Bucket {3 gallon size }
  • Empty laundry detergent containers or bucket with lid to store detergent.

How to make:

Use small cheese grater to grate 1/3 bar of Fels-Naptha Soap over large pot or saucepan…

  • Add 6 cups of water.
  • Heat over medium-high until soap dissolves and melts.
  • Add 1/2 cup Washing Soda & 1/2 cup Borax, and stir until dissolved.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Pour 4 cups hot water into bucket, then add Soap Mixture.
  • Stir well, then add 1 Gallon + 6 Cups of additional water. Stir.

 

  • Transfer to a bucket with a lid, or pour into empty laundry detergent containers.
  • Set aside, and let it sit overnight, or up to 24 hours, to thicken and gel up.  It will likely turn into a gel overnight.
  • Consistency and color will vary depending on your soap & water ~ it may be lumpy and watery ~ kind of like a watery gel, but it works great!
  • Stir or shake before each use, as it will continue to gel.

How Much Will it Cost?

 

This recipe makes a low-sudsing detergent, and remember, it will turn to a liquid/gel after it settles, so you will need to shake the container before use. You can also pour it into a spray bottle to use as a pre-spot treatment. The 3 ingredients will make at least 3 batches and will last a long time.

I would not present this idea if it did not work exceptionally well, as this was one of the most useful tricks I learned to stretch a budget that really does save money and work even better than high-priced laundry detergents.   The homemade detergent even removes hard soils and red clay stains from clothing remarkably well.

We are all in this together!

Posted in Big Government, Big Stupid Government, Cold Anger, Dem Hypocrisy, Economy, Joe Biden, media bias, Prepper, Treehouse Tips, Uncategorized
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