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Diluting Liquids
Nabbing the cheapest laundry detergent doesn't always equate to going home with the best deal. Store-brand liquids like cleansers or fruit juices are sometimes diluted. While you may only pay a fraction of what a name brand costs, you could be buying less of the active ingredients for the same price -- or more -- because the product is so watered down.
For instance, a label that reads "25 percent more" can mean 25 percent more in weight or in container size -- not the active ingredients. "Fruit juice blend" can mean a mixture is made of 20 percent juice concentrate and 80 percent sugar water.
The solution for consumers (pun intended): Question ambiguous bargain claims, and become a label reader.
