Frugal Living #5
@renitaperrone (547)
United States
July 15, 2008 8:00am CST
Here are some money saving tips on doing laundry
a) always do full loads. Not only will you save water, but electricity as well. And, if you're using the dryer, if the dryer has already heated up from one load, the next load will dry faster and save energy.
b) when possible, hang your clothes to dry. Saves energy by not using the dryer, but it also helps your clothes last longer. You know all that lint in the dyer? Well, that's the dryer wearing your clothes out!
c) for color bleach, consider using Borax instead of these expensive liquid color bleaches.
d) Fabric Softener - if you use dryer sheets, tear them in 1/2 or even 1/4. Still works the same! If you use liquid, you can probably reduce the amount you use and still be good. Also buy the concentrated formulas so you are not paying for the water they add.
e) pay attention to how much detergent you are using. Many people over fill the measuring cup.
f) Consider making your own laundry detergent. If interested, add me as a buddy and ask and I'll provide you the recipe. Or you can do an online search for it. I did this for quite some time until I started getting my favorite detergent on sale with coupons for a really good deal!
4 people like this
4 responses
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
16 Jul 08
Thanks, subh12. I've HAD to do these things in order to stay home with my children.
Is that a pic of your baby? She's beautiful!
2 people like this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
17 Jul 08
Lots of good tips. I've had to dip back into "the good ole days" which I remember clearly. We didn't have the luxury of a washer and dryer. Well, we did have an old wringer type washer. There was no such thing as fabric softener. If necessary we used vinegar in the rinse water to help release the soap. Makes for a much softer fabric if all the soap residue is gone.
Some people used bluing to make their whites look whiter instead of using bleach. Bleach deteriorates fabric so it doesn't last as long. Of course bluing isn't a disinfectant so the vinegar in the rinse is still a good idea. Vinegar is a disinfectant.
My daughter sent me this site last week. She's started making her own detergent and cleaning products, partly out of financial necessity and partly out of environmental concern. http://tipnut.com/
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
17 Jul 08
The laundry detergent recipe I used is the same as the one on tipnut.com. In fact I just found that site when I was trying to relocate my detergent recipe! Looks like a good site.
I would have never thought to put vinegar in the wash. any particular kind? Is the smell noticeable in the clothes? I loathe the smell of vinegar...
2 people like this
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
17 Jul 08
Apple cider vinegar has the most germ fighting abilities. You can smell it some when the clothes come out of the washer, but when they dry, the scent is gone.
1 person likes this
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Good point. We don't have a lawn so I didn't think of that. I'm not a 30 minute shower person anyway, but I know alot of people who are.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
19 Jul 08
Thank you so much for the tips! I make my own laundry detergent since last fall. I love how much i save on the cost of soaps! If i do buy laundry soap I save up coupons and the gas dollars and only pay 2 or 3 dollars cash for them not 12 dollars!
I might try the vinegar thing that someone else suggested.
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
19 Jul 08
You're welcome! Yes, I might have to try the vinegar too! I still have quite a bit of All Small & Mighty I got on sale for $1.88 each so I've been using those up. It's definitely more convenient, but if I run out and there's no sales, I'll be making my own again! I bought a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot to put mine in since 1 bar of soap makes such a big batch!
1 person likes this
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Oh, that was a good idea! I hadn't thought of that.
1 person likes this
