Tips for the Laundry
It's not always easy to find time in your busy schedule to do laundry. That's why we compiled some of the best tips for doing laundry quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most! Saving money is a big incentive, too- it doesn't have to be expensive. Check out our list of tips for the laundry below and see if any of these hacks will work for you.
Here are some recipes for making your own items for laundry.
Dryer Sheets
Take one bottle of your favorite liquid fabric softener and pour into a large bowl. Take a stack of wash rags or scrap sheets strips and soak in the liquid. Twist to wring out excess liquid, hang up to dry and use as dryer sheets. Save remaining liquid to make new batch of dryer sheets. These are simple enough to make weekly and use clothes pins to clip on hanger to dry.
** I tried just pouring some of the liquid on a rag and tossing in dryer… not a good idea L clothes had spots on them!
** I tried the clear liquid…worked fine!
** I tried the clear liquid mixed 50/50 with water and misted a rag before tossing into the dryer… works great!
Liquid Fabric Softener
~ Most liquid product can easily be cut with 50 water and still work well in the washer
~ Vinegar in the rinse is a fantastic alternative to liquid fabric softeners. Place ½ – 1 cup in softener dispenser. Clothes will come out soft and static free. The machine will also smell clean J
Laundry Soap
Depending on the type of machine you have… you may find that either the powder or the liquid works better.
Powder
~ For a powder mix combine one shaved bar of soap (Ivory/your choice), one cup each of borax and washing soda (Arm & Hammer). Optional: add essential oils to scent the soap. Start by using 1/3 cup and adjust to your machine. I find most machines use less than store-bought powders.
This mixture will run a little over a penny a load…compared to .20-.36+ with store-bought.
Liquid
~ For a liquid mix start with the same ingredients as the powder plus you will need a five gallon bucket with a lid and 10 one gallon containers that have been washed well with lids (old milk jugs are perfect).
To prepare
~ Place 4 cups hot water in pan and stir in the shaved bar of soap on medium low heat. Stir continuously until completely melted. It will have a little foam on the top but should be smooth (no chunks or clumps). This should take around 10 minutes.
~ Fill the 5 gallon bucket ½ full with hot water. Add 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda and the soap mixture. Stir well. The best way is with a long yard stick or broom handle to get to the bottom of the five gallon bucket.
~ Once you have stirred the mixture well, continue filling the bucket to the top with hot tap water. Once full, stir again really well. Put top on container and let sit overnight. I wouldn’t try to move it around too much! Place in a location you can leave overnight when you start and place on a towel to collect any spills.
~ Next day // Remove top on five gallon container. Soap mixture will have cooled and thickened into a gel type consistency. Stir the mixture again.
~ Fill clean gallon container with 8 cups of the soap mixture and 8 cups of tap water. Put top on and shake to mix.
This mixture will run a little under a penny a load…compared to .10-.36+ with store-bought.
To use the soap…shake container well before each use. Use 1 cup for top load machines and ½ cup for front loaders.
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