12-12-09 LAUNDRY SAVINGS

I usually do all my laundry on the weekend.
And since I am currently doing laundry I thought I would share ways I cut back costs.
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WASH CLOTHES IN COLD WATER.
Only use hot or warm water to wash undergarments, socks, sheets, blankets or heavily
soiled items.
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CUT BACK On FABRIC SOFTENER.

I dilute the liquid fabric softener down.
Only use half of the recommended amount and add water to the rest.
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HOMEMADE FABRIC SOFTENER #1

2 cups cheap hair conditioner
3 cups vinegar
6 cups water

Combine together and store in a reusable bottle such as an old fabric
softener bottle.

This is great for those who may have sensitive skin to laundry products.
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HOMEMADE FABRIC SOFTENER #2

1 Cup White Vinegar
Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Works great. Removes residue and odors. Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean too.

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HOMEMADE FABRIC SOFTENER #3

1 Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4 Inexpensive sponges, cut in half

Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

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DRYER SHEETS

If you use dryer sheets you can cut them in half and they will have the same affect.

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HOMEMADE POWDERED SOAP

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
1/2 Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.
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In warmer weather I hung lines up in my backyard and line dried
all my clothes. It's more work than using a dryer but you save that
extra money by not using your dryer for hours on end!
I compared this years electric bill with last years during the
months I line dried and figured I saved $40 a month!!
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When using the washer fill it to the capacity.
Don't run half loads.

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Be sure to clean washer and dryer lint screens
so it will run more efficiently.
Also clean out the dryer vents.
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Do laundry in the evening or early morning.
This is when electric loads are less during the off peak hours.
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I recommend reading the Duggar Family's web site for more hints and tips.
Who are the Duggar's? They are the family who has been featured on tv
and has their own show. They are due to have their 19th child in March 2010!!
They are a family of almost 21!!

They also have a new book out called
The Duggar's 20 and counting,
Raising one of America's largest families and how they do it!
I have read the book and found it to be very informative!
Don't waste money on buying books! Check them out at your local library!!!
The Columbus Public Library has 33 copies of it!

http://www.duggarfamily.com/

To be able to search for a specific book and reserve it
through Columbus Public Libraries go here:
Less time is wasted if you can compile a list of books you want
and have them ready for you at their nearest location.
Walk in, pick up, check out, walk out. Simple as that!

http://www.columbuslibrary.org/