5 frugal laundry hacks
Posted
Jan 04 2009, 11:44 PM
by
Donna Freedman
Rating:
Before I left to visit my father last week, I needed to do a couple of loads of laundry. As always, I washed both at the same time so that I could pay for just one dryer load. (More on that below.)
A tip like that, so obvious to some of us, might never have occurred to others. In these scary economic times, some people find themselves counting every dime. So why not save a quarter, or a dryer-load's worth of quarters?
I can hear eyeballs rolling right about now. For heaven's sake, woman, drying an extra load only costs a dollar! Quit being so cheap!
If that's the situation you're in, how nice for you. But week after week, "only a dollar" adds up. Over time these dollars can help people snowflake their debts, pay bus fares to work -- or help make up the rent.
Oh, and I add only about half as much laundry detergent as the manufacturer recommends. My clothes look fine.
I use these laundry/clothing frugal hacks as a matter of course. Some save me cash on the spot and others later on by prolonging the life of clothing and linens. They can work for you, too.
Two for the price of one
Tip No. 1: Wash two loads, dry one. I put shirts and slacks in the dryer for about five minutes. Then I take them out and put in everything else. Which brings us to the second hack...
Tip No. 2: Air-dry as much as possible. Those five minutes take out the spin-cycle wrinkles. After that I hang shirts and pants on drying racks or on plastic hangers all around my apartment. (I got my drying racks from thrift stores; my daughter bought one this summer at a yard sale.)
Sheets and pillowcases can go on racks, too; I also drape one sheet over my (unplugged) halogen floor lamp. Growing up, we washed sheets weekly and used bath towels only once before laundering -- but the next tip shows how far I've strayed from my upbringing.
How dirty is it?
Tip No. 3: Don't wash as often. Some people like fresh sheets each week, but it may not be strictly necessary. Here's how I handle it: I sleep on the left side of my bed one night and the right side the next night, thereby getting two weeks' use out of the linens.
I use a bath towel for a week at a time. Washcloths generally get used once.
If I've worn a garment for only a few hours at school or church, I'll hang it back up and put on my old "play clothes." Play clothes are worn more than once.
Judicious reuse doesn't just mean fewer loads of laundry -- it makes your clothing, towels and linens last longer. Common sense is needed, of course. After a long day of manual labor, put those clothes in the hamper. If you've spilled something on yourself, don't rewear lest the stain set. Cue the segue to...
Tip No. 4: Pretreat spots and spills. Once I pay for a piece of clothing I want it to last as long as possible. I dab at stained white clothes with a cotton swab dipped in bleach and use a stain-removal agent on everything else.
For a greener approach, this link has a list of stain-fighting household items, such as cornstarch or vinegar. Whatever you use, don't give up without a fight. This leads in to my last suggestion...
Tip No. 5: Make small repairs. The more clothes you set aside as unwearable, the more often you'll have to wear - and wash -- what's left.
You don't know how to sew? Well, learn. On the Internet you'll find sites like this one, which broadcasts videos with titles like "How to sew on a button" and "How to tie off sewing thread."
Seriously: If you can follow instructions to set up electronic equipment or use a social networking site, you can learn to thread a needle.
Related reading:
Make your clothes last longer
Lowly no longer: 13 productive uses for dryer lint
Pre-treat to preserve garments
