The Vexpert on the Matter of Washing Dishes.

Being neither generally vexatious nor expert at anything, I’m not actually a vexpert. And yet I do have a little something to say about a seemingly minor domestic matter to which attaches an issue of deeper consequence. I speak not of the heady luxury of cake in the workplace (see earlier post), but of that ubiquitous little practical commodity which we Brits call washing up liquid.

It’s well known that supermarkets stock both branded lines which are more expensive, and their own versions which are cheaper. It’s also well known – or should be – that the dearer branded product is thicker than the in-house version and therefore does the same job with a smaller quantity. It’s reasonable to presume, therefore, that there’s little if anything to choose between them in the matter of value for money. But…

By using less of the dearer branded product we also consume fewer bottles, which means that, since the bottles are made of plastic, there’s less plastic to be disposed of either in the environment or in recycling facilities. And that matters these days, doesn’t it? It does. And yet I’ve never heard anybody mention the fact. But that’s why I am now resolved to buy Fairy Liquid instead of Sainbury’s own.