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Comment by SturgeonsLaw | Hacker News Reader

Like the way toothpaste ads show them squirting 3x as much paste as you actually need onto the toothbrush

That's just like how shampoo companies advise you to "lather, rinse, repeat". It's a great way to boost sales, but besides being unnecessary it's terrible for your hair, your water bill, fish living downstream, and your wallet.

Personally, I've had much better results with repeating, but I haven't bothered to experiment enough to see if it's from "rinse, lather, rinse" or the full "lather, rinse, lather, rinse".

> That's just like how shampoo companies advise you to "lather, rinse, repeat". It's a great way to boost sales.

It’s no accident that they code a loop with no termination condition (except the implicit emptying of the bottle). Really boosts sales!

I do occasionally repeat and it does make a difference, but you only need 1/10th as much shampoo the second time.

I’m curious. What does the second iteration accomplish? Is it dirt and grease that is embedded in your skin? What kind of job do you have if you feel comfortable answering?

It's not usually needed, but if I'm really sweaty and sticky the first washing removs dirt, and the second washing adds "squeak" is the best way I can put it.

It just feels cleaner. I assume it's because the additives in the shampoo become overloaded on the first use, and are active on the second.

I like the squeak too. I recently moved to a place with hard water and so everyone has water softeners. With this super soft water I can't get the squeak ever. It just feels slimy to me.

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