6 Thrifty Laundry Tips
by Angela Billings

Description: Frugal tips for saving money on laundry, including how to make your own laundry soap.
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Keeping the laundry clean takes up a lot of time and money unless you know some quick and thrifty tips. I have put together a list of things that can be done to get your laundry done on a budget.

1. Wash your clothes in cold water and always do full loads whenever possible. If you have to wash a small load, use appropriate water level and wash setting.

2. Hang your clothes out to dry. You can put up a clothes line if you have room or you can use a folding drying rack. I have used hangers and put the clothes on and then hung them on the shower curtain rod.

3. Save money by not using dryer sheets. You can add 1/4 cup vinegar to your final rinse in place of fabric softener. Don't worry the scent goes away during the drying process. I have also heard you can use a small ball of aluminum foil in the dryer but I have not tried this before and I have tried the vinegar.

4. Make your own laundry detergent. This consists of shredded bar soap, Borax and washing soda. You can find several recipes online for making your own. I have made it and it works fine for me.

Here is a simple recipe for making your own: dissolve a bar of hand soap in water, add three gallons of hot water, mix thoroughly and add a cup of washing soda.Keep it in a bucket and use about 1/4 cup per load.

5. Clean your dryer lint filter very often. I clean mine after each load of laundry I dry. If I do forget and leave it the clothes do not dry as good as the do on the same time cycle with a clean lint filter.

6. If you have to use the dryer don't over dry the laundry. Check it until you get a pretty good idea on how long it actually takes to dry the clothing and then set your dryer timer for that.

Angela Billings is founder of http://www.thriftyhomemaker.com where you can find thrifty articles, recipes, coupons and more!

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