When you are living on a tight budget like my family is you have to find ways to save $$ in every department! Here are some ideas for saving money on doing laundry:

1. Try to buy clothes that don’t have to be dry cleaned.

2. Remove and hang up your clothes that need to be dry cleaned as soon as you get home to help keep them in good shape, and to prolong another trip to the cleaners.

3. Search out a discount dry cleaner. There are many $1.50-$2.50 cleaners who are just as good as the more expensive chains.

4. If you are able, put up a clothes line and hang your clothes out to dry when you can.

5. Do all of your laundry in one day. If you are using the dryer, it will stay warm between loads and keep your overall heating cost down.

6. Wash all, but the most soiled clothes (use warm water for these), in cold water, followed with a cold rinse.

7. Use a little less than the recommended amount of detergent for each load. Your clothes will come out just as clean.

8. A little maintenance for your washing machine will add years to its life. To unclog hoses, and clean out all of the build up, fill the machine with hot water, pour in a gallon of distilled white vinegar. Allow it to run through an entire cycle.

9. If you use dryer sheets, tear them in half before throwing them in. They will work just as well.

10. Save the dryer sheets after they’ve been used. They make great dusting cloths for TV’s and computer screens. The anti-static properties will also help to repel more dust from attracting to them.

11. Press dress suits with a damp cloth between the clothing and the iron. Unless dirty, you only need to send suits to the dry cleaners twice a year to preserve the fibers.

12. Spray ties with fabric protector to avoid frequent dry-cleaning.

13. Wear you clothes a couple times before you wash them. Unless they are soiled they don’t need to be cleaned after every wear.

14. Make your own laundry detergent. Here is an environmentally friendly recipe for all of you going green:

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap

1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon.
For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

15. Run the washer through a second spin cycle. It will get more of the water out and cut down on drying time. It’s cheaper to do this, than run the dryer longer.

16. Make your own dryer sheets. (This is a tip I found on another website): Save big bucks every year by making your own dryer sheets. Pour liquid fabric softener into a clean spray bottle, and spray 4-6 times onto a designated rag. Put into your dryer with clothes and tumble as usual. Wash the rag every once in a while to remove buildup. A small refill carton of concentrated softener lasts about 1 1\2 years.

17. Use white vinegar in your laundry’s rinse cycle instead of fabric softener. About 1/4 or 1/2 cup will do a good job of keeping things soft and static free with no “smell”.

18. For front loading washing machines: use half of the recommended liquid detergent. It will work just as well and save you twice as much!

19. A front loading washer typically uses 1/3 to 2/3 less water. Try to get energy star appliances also. They will save on your overall energy bill. You don’t have to buy them new either. If you are in the market for a new washer or dryer, look in your local classifieds, or on Craigslist, there are usually lots to choose from.

20. Purchase Dryer Balls: Supposedly they cut down on drying time, saving energy and money! I haven’t used these yet, but I’d like to try them out. Anybody out there have any comments about these?

Well, I hope this is helpful to you! If anyone has any more suggestions, please let me know!

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