Tightwad Tuesday: Save Money on Laundry

Art courtesy of Salvatore Vuono; freedigitalphotos.net

We've all got laundry, and most of us have a lot of it. You can save some dollars in this process with just a little know-how and a few inexpensive and readily available products.

Try using white vinegar as a fabric softener.  Just pour it right into the fabric softener compartment of your machine.  Your clothes will not have a vinegar smell when the cycle is complete, I promise.  Vinegar also has the added benefit of being a great cleaner; it's good for your machine and cutting away those deposits left by laundry detergent.

Use dollar store oxygenated cleaner.  If you use the brand name OxiClean powder, you are probably paying too much.  Dollar store powder works just as well.

Know how to treat stains and save clothes.

1. Protein stains: Keep a bar of Original Ivory Soap around.  I use this all the time to remove blood stains, chocolate, and it is fantastic for removing dirty mud off of little boys clothes.  Or big boys clothes, for that matter.  I don't use Ivory for bathing, so I just keep the soap wrapped in a clean, dry washcloth and unwrap it when I need to use it.  This keeps it from getting gross or sticking to anything as the soap bar dries out.
2. For grease stains, you need vegetable oil, Dawn dish liquid, and Goop waterless hand cleaner.  For dried grease stains (those dark spots on dark clothes and colored clothes that remain after washing), try reconstituting the stain with oil; rub it in to the stained area.  Then, wash the area thoroughly with the dish liquid.  Rinse.  Rinse. Rinse.  You do not want dish liquid in your washing machine, so rinse it all out.  Rub in waterless hand cleaner, let sit for at least 20 minutes, and wash as usual.  I have saved many a sweatshirt and tee shirt using this method.
3. Ink.  That's a tough one, and quite honestly I've not always been successful at removing it completely.  Alcohol or hairspray is the best bet if your fabric can handle it.  Put a folded up paper towel (without a design on it, plain white) behind the stain, apply the alcohol and blot, blot, blot with a clean white cloth or folded paper towel.
4. Makeup:  Powder make up should remove with normal pre-spot treatments.  For liquid makeup, lipstick, eyeliner, or mascara, use dish liquid to pre-wash.  Rinse thoroughly; dish liquid is too sudsy for washing machines.

Don't believe everything you see on T.V.  This drives me insane. Washing machine cleaners are being promoted like crazy, and these companies are smart.  Everyone is afraid of stinky clothes and the companies have capitalized on the fear that there is some unknown stink-monster in your washing machine.  I've had an HE machine for years.  I've also experienced the occasional musty smell from the washer and solved the issue myself.

Photo courtesy of Darren Robertson; freedigitalphotos.net

Guess what?  Two simple things eliminated this problem for me; one is free and one costs very little.  First, always leave your washer door open when it is not running.  Simply air it out!  Free!  Second, use the aforementioned white vinegar in your wash.  It's a great deodorizer and costs, what?  $2 a gallon?  You can save boatloads of cash not believing every single thing you see advertised.

Consider making your own laundry detergent.  Many people view this is backward, too time-consuming or too difficult.  It really is simple.  I have an article published on this, which breaks down the how-to and also examines the cost savings.  You can find it here.  I'd recommend trying it out...one of my greatest joys is that I spend about $5 a year on laundry detergent. 

Happy Washing!  Please, comment if anything helps you or if you have your own tip to add!

Clothes Pin Art; Salvatore Vuono; freedigitalphotos.net

Washing Machine Drum Photo; Darren Robertson; freedigitalphotos.net