Saturday, July 5, 2008

Saturday Savings: Laundry

My budget is so tight it is about to snap. I am trying everything I can to save money so I am starting Saturday Savings. I am posting everything I am trying to save money and I am hoping that you will post the things that you do to save as well.

Today's Saturday Saving Focus: Laundry

1. Wash your clothes in cold water. The clothes come out the same and it obviously saves on the electricity from heating water.
2. Think about what clothes you can dry outside. Personally, I love the way towels and sheets feel when dried outside. If you live in a neighborhood that has restrictive covenants, this may be a little difficult, but I have discovered that I can put a line up in my carport and dry items.
3. Did you know that if you shake out your clothes when you are transfer them from the washer to the dryer they will dry faster? Give it a try.
4. Fabric Softeners:
a. Cut your dryer sheets in half. Works just as well.
b. If you want to avoid buying dryer sheets all together you can make your own very easily: Dip a washcloth in liquid fabric softener, then hang it on a towel rack until dry. When you dry clothes, pop this washcloth in with the load. It can be reused a couple dozen times, then repeat the procedure. A bottle of liquid softener will last almost forever!
c. If the reason you are wanting to use fabric softeners is to prevent static, just wad up some aluminum foil and throw it in with your clothes. Static gone!
5. Go easy on the bleach. Bleach does a great job of whitening, but it also does a great job of deteriorating your clothes.
6. Before you wear dark clothes for the first time wash them in cold salt water. The salt helps set the color. To brighten dark clothes after they have been washed several times, repeat the procedure.
7. If you black clothing starts to look brown after a while, add coffee or strong tea to the rinse water.
8. Do you ever wash your washing machine? It is time. Fill it up with hot water, pour in a bottle of vinegar on the normal cycle and it will eliminate all the soap scum which will ultimately make your clothes cleaner.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tips... we too are on a TIGHT budget and I love any ideas that help!!!

Sheri said...

Love the tips . . . esp. the one about tinfoil. I've stretched my budget every which way and it's STILL not enough!

Thanks for stopping by earlier. I'm near Lexington, Southwest Virginia. I'll be back to read more!

K Storm said...

THanks for the tips. I have also found that you can reuse store bought dryer sheets sometimes. There is still some "stuff" left on the sheets after one use.

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Hey, these are great tips. I love the one about making your own fabric dryer sheets. Thanks. By the way, congrats on being a Saucy Blog. I, too, am on the blogroll. Isn't it fun?

Tonya Staab said...

Fabulous tips. You know, I've never washed my washing machine. I think I'll have to try that. I also didn't know about shaking your laundry before putting it in the dryer. I'll be doing that too.

Miss Mud Puddle said...

Are we getting a new lesson every Saturday?

Deanna said...

I'm going to try out the Saturday Saver each week. I'm not an expert so we'll see how many Saturdays I can come up with! Ha! I need as many money saving ideas as I can get.

Tiffany said...

Great tips!

black betty said...

gonna have to try those! thanks!

Webmaster said...

Love No. 6 and No. 8 ... good suggestions all!

Sarah said...

here's a money saver i've learned about laundry: if you are using the dryer, make sure that the dyer vent is clean, and the time it takes to get the clothes dry will decrease. you can get vent-cleaning kits online and at Home Depot, i think.