The advantages of opting for a smaller laundry detergent bottle
It is a commonly held belief that purchasing items in bulk will lead to long-term savings; prominent wholesale retailers like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's operate on this principle. Therefore, one might assume that buying products such as laundry detergent in large quantities would also result in cost savings. While smaller bottles may be more convenient to carry, they are generally perceived as being more expensive. This perception often leads people to believe that the miniature detergent bottles available at Dollar Tree are pricier in the grand scheme of things.
For the base price of $1.25 at Dollar Tree, customers can purchase an 8-ounce bottle of Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent. Although this bottle is smaller than the average laundry detergent container, which typically ranges from 42 to 132 ounces, the assumption is that smaller packaging equates to a higher price per unit (ounce in this case). However, upon comparing this particular bottle with larger Tide containers sold at other leading retailers, it is evident that the price is either equivalent or even lower.
If you do the math, the 8-ounce bottle of Tide Original Liquid Laundry Detergent sold at Dollar Tree costs around $0.15 per ounce, while the 10-ounce bottle of Tide Simply Clean & Fresh and the 10-ounce Gain Original cost only $0.12 per ounce. Compared to the 42-ounce bottle of Tide sold at Target, which costs $0.18 per ounce, this is cheaper.
Many other bottles, such as the 84-ounce and 132-ounce sizes, all have a similar price point of $0.15 per ounce. The smaller Dollar Tree bottle is even cheaper than the three-pack of 10-ounce bottles sold on Amazon, which equates to $0.16 an ounce. So buying the smaller bottle won't cost you more — and might actually be better for you in other ways.
Why is that? First, those laundry detergent bottles can get heavy. A lighter bottle is much easier to deal with if you have to carry it up flights of stairs or over to a laundromat, which is especially helpful for the elderly. Plus a cheaper-priced bottle works well for anyone on a tight budget. One reviewer wrote on the Dollar Tree site that using the small bottle helped save cash during a move to a new apartment when money was tight. And while it may seem like a waste to keep buying smaller bottles, there are a few genius ways to repurpose your empty laundry detergent bottles, like turning them into storage containers or even plant pots.
When it comes to purchasing laundry detergent, there's a certain level of trust that comes with sticking to well-known brands that have a loyal customer base. But what if there are cheaper options available that provide more value per ounce? Take for example, the 42-ounce bottle of L.A.'s Totally Awesome Detergent at Dollar Tree, priced at just $1.25. While this may seem like a steal, some customers have found that opting for cheaper detergents may not always be the best choice when it comes to effectively cleaning your clothes.
Feedback shared on Reddit reveals that cheaper detergents often fall short in delivering the desired results, leading to the need for clothes to be rewashed with a different brand. Additionally, some users noted that using inexpensive detergents can cause the water to appear grayish and even impact the color of the garments.
For those who are price-conscious, an alternative suggested by shoppers is to opt for powdered detergents over liquid ones, such as the Oxydol Power Oxygen Base Cleaner priced at just $0.08 per ounce. However, it's worth noting that powdered detergents may leave residue on clothes. On the other hand, if you prefer the reliability of a liquid detergent from a trusted brand, Dollar Tree offers budget-friendly options in the form of 8-ounce bottles that are convenient to use and come at a very affordable price.
