Laundry Wins On A Budget
Laundry day doesn't have to break the bank or leave you with faded and worn-out clothes. What if a few simple tricks could keep your clothes cleaner and your wallet fuller? Try these 20 laundry tips that are guaranteed to save you time and money, all while preserving the quality of your clothes. Keep reading to upgrade your laundry routine!
1. Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Why spend a fortune on laundry detergent when you can make your own? By mixing just washing soda, borax, and a bar of soap, you can create a detergent that performs just as effectively. Plus, it's eco-friendly and saves you serious cash. Your clothes stay clean, and your budget stays intact.
2. Boost Laundry Power With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a laundry powerhouse. Add a little to your wash to neutralize odors and boost the detergent's cleaning power. It's a budget-friendly alternative to expensive fabric fresheners, and your clothes will thank you for it. Who knew that a humble box of baking soda could do so much?
Michael Francis McCarthy on Wikimedia
3. Level Your Washer for Maximum Efficiency
An uneven washing machine can cause unnecessary vibrations and increased wear on parts. To avoid costly repairs, check your washer's level and adjust it accordingly. A well-balanced machine runs more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and ensuring your clothes come out cleaner with less wear on the machine.
4. Use Less Detergent
Most people tend to use more detergent than they really need. You don't have to fill the entire cap to get your clothes clean. In fact, using too much can cause detergent residue to build up and make washing less effective. So, scale back the amount you use.
5. Swap Softener For Dryer Balls
Say goodbye to disposable fabric softeners. Dryer balls are a sustainable, cost-effective alternative that reduces drying time and softens your clothes. Made from wool or plastic, these balls bounce around in the dryer, fluffing your clothes and helping them dry faster without the need for chemicals.
Christine Rondeau on Wikimedia
6. Line Dry Clothes
Drying clothes naturally on a line may seem old-school, but it's the perfect way to save money and extend the life of your clothes. The sun works as a natural bleach that keeps whites bright and fresh. Plus, it's free—no electricity is needed, just fresh air and a little sunshine.
7. Wash In Cold Water To Protect Fabrics
Washing clothes in cold water is a simple way to cut down on energy costs while still getting clean clothes. Cold water helps prevent fabric damage and fading, which means your clothes last longer and retain their vibrant colors. It also treats delicate fabrics with care, helping to keep their quality intact.
8. Deodorize Clothes With Vodka
Vodka isn't just for cocktails. It's a great deodorizer for clothes, too! If you have clothes that smell musty or stale, spritz them lightly with undiluted vodka before tossing them in the wash. The alcohol kills bacteria, eliminates odors, and freshens up fabrics without leaving behind a scent.
9. Keep The Washer Door Open After Use
Keeping the washer door closed after use traps moisture inside, promoting mold and unpleasant odors. By leaving the door open for a few hours after each cycle, you allow the drum to dry out, reducing the need for expensive mold removal treatments and ensuring your washer remains fresh and odor-free.
10. Always Run Full Loads
Laundry machines use just as much energy for a half-load as they do for a full load. So, it's a no-brainer: Always wash full loads to save both water and electricity. Your clothes will get cleaned just as well, and you'll avoid wasting resources and money.
11. Freshen Clothes With Essential Oils
For a natural scent boost, throw a cotton ball or dryer ball with a few drops of essential oil into the dryer. Lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon are great choices for freshening up clothes without the need for commercial air fresheners. This is a simple, natural solution to ensure your clothes stay smelling fresh.
12. Protect Delicates With Mesh Bags
Delicate fabrics like lace and silk deserve extra care. A mesh laundry bag keeps these items safe from damage in the wash, preventing snags and stretching. It's a small investment that saves you money on replacing delicate clothes and extends their lifespan.
13. Dryer Sheets To Freshen Up Your Closet
Why toss used dryer sheets when you can reuse them to freshen up your closet? A quick swap for expensive air fresheners, these dryer sheets will keep your clothes smelling crisp and fresh. Simply tuck them in drawers or hang them in your closet to eliminate musty odors.
How To Use Downy Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets by Suzy Valentin
14. Use Aluminum Foil To Prevent Static
Say goodbye to static without the cost of dryer sheets by crumpling a ball of aluminum foil and adding it to the dryer. It works like a charm—reducing static, preventing clinging, and leaving your clothes smooth and static-free. It needs no chemicals, is entirely free, and can be reused.
15. Remove Ink Stains With Rubbing Alcohol
For ink stains on your favorite shirt, try dabbing the spot with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol before you wash it. It breaks down the ink and leaves your clothes looking as good as new. This is an inexpensive and highly effective way to remove tough stains.
16. Ice Cubes to Eliminate Wrinkles
Ditch the iron and use ice cubes to get rid of wrinkles, and do this instead: Put a few ice cubes into the dryer along with your wrinkled clothes and run it on a medium heat cycle. The steam from the melting ice will smooth out wrinkles. Your clothes will come out crisp and wrinkle-free in minutes.
17. Reduce Fading With Salt
Faded clothes are a real pain, but salt can help preserve vibrant colors. Want to know how? Simply add half a cup of salt to the wash during the first few cycles to help set the dye in the new clothes and prevent color loss.
18. Speed Up Drying Time With Towels
Speed up drying time without cramming your dryer by adding a dry towel with your wet clothes. The towel absorbs moisture, helping your clothes dry faster and reducing energy consumption. With this easy hack, you can save a lot of time when heading out.
19. Pre-Treating Stains With Dish Soap
Here's a simple, cost-effective method to remove tough, greasy stains: Make dish soap your go-to solution. It can help remove grease. Dab a bit onto the stain, gently rub it in, and let it rest for a few minutes before washing.
20. Brighten Whites with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural way to brighten your clothes. Toss a cup of lemon juice into the wash cycle to release stubborn stains and give fabrics a revitalizing boost. So, this one's an eco-friendly alternative to bleach that keeps your whites looking sharp without spending money on brightening products.
