Save Money in the Laundry Room
Reduce Laundry Costs with Environmentally Friendly Tips
Americans spend a lot of money on unnecessary detergents and fabric softeners in the laundry room. They also waste a lot of electricity and water in the name of convenience. If you are looking for ways to save money, look no further than the laundry room.
1.) Only wash laundry when you can put a full load in your washing machine. Not only will this save water and electricity; but a properly loaded machine with a mix of large and small items will actually clean your laundry better than a half empty machine.
2.) Hang clothes out to dry whenever possible.
3.) Remove lint from your dryer’s lint trap after every load. If you use fabric softener or dryer sheets, it is important that you actually clean the lint trap with a brush, water, and detergent (dish detergent works well) to break up the film that these products create on the surface of the trap. The film that these products leave can actually stop airflow through the vent, which is a fire hazard.
4.) Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the mechanisms in your machine and can actually be bad for new high efficiency washing machines. Some studies indicate that fabric softeners can actually be hazardous for your health. Use vinegar instead, it is cheaper and safer. A quarter cup to half a cup of vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser neutralizes any detergent that is left in your laundry and helps remove odors. The smell of vinegar disappears when the cloths are dry.
5.) Don’t use the measuring cup that comes with your laundry detergent. Experiment with different amounts of detergent until you discover what amount of detergent is adequate to get your laundry clean. Most people find that they need much less detergent than what the manufacturer suggests.
6.) Consider making your own laundry detergent. A popular recipe is the following:
- 1 Cup grated Fels-Naptha soap
- 1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax
- 1/2 Cup Washing Soda.
Mix all the ingredients together and use 1-3 tablespoons per load depending on the size and dirtiness of the load.
7.) Avoid buying clothes that require dry-cleaning. The chemicals used for dry-cleaning are hazardous for your health. If you have one or two items that require dry-cleaning, use Dryel and clean it at home (or if you don’t want to contaminate your dryer with the nasty chemicals – consider going to the laundromat). It will save you a great deal of money (and two trips to the dry-cleaners).
1860's Laundry at Historical Kelly Farm
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