Don’t pour money down the drain

photo by worktheangles
The laundry room is one area where you can save money. I’m sure you’ve heard tips such as wash clothing in cold water, cut dryer sheets in half, wash full loads but not tightly packed ones, clean the lint trap, and hang clothes to dry. Laundry tips like these help to save money, and pennies can quickly add up to dollars.

Readers share their tips that you might not have considered.

BUY ON SALE: I buy liquid detergent on sale and with a coupon, and then use half the recommended amount. I also put some in a spray bottle and use it to treat stains. It’s often cheaper to purchase powdered detergent, too. — Stacey, Pennsylvania

USE LESS: Read the directions. For years, I thought you were supposed to fill the cap, not realizing that you only need about half of it. — Edna, New Mexico

DILUTE: I save one empty detergent container and fill it half full with a new bottle and then fill both with water. I still only use 1/4 cup to each load of wash, and my clothes always come out very clean. I buy Dawn at the dollar store to use on greasy stains. — Carolyn, Georgia

DISCOVER: If you do your laundry in an apartment laundry room or a public laundry facility, check the discard bins for “empty” containers of soap, bleach, used and new dryer sheets, etc. Look for basically anything that can be reused or that is tossed out. Nine times out of 10, those “empty” laundry-soap containers have at least one or two washes left in them. Rinse the container thoroughly before discarding it. Use a piece of wadded aluminum foil in the dryer instead of a dryer sheet, or even tennis balls. It works just as well for removing static and is reusable. — Naderbug, Canada

BOOST: I’ll add 1 tablespoon of Borax to each load. One $2.45 box of that lasts four to five months and seems to really boost the cleaning power.

CONTROL: I found putting detergent in an old sports-drink bottle helps me control the amount I use. You have to be careful with small children around — they might think it’s something to drink. I guess a person could use an old dish-detergent bottle or soap dispenser with the same effect. Simply count out how many pumps equals the amount you want to use and write it on the dispenser. — Denise, Colorado

IMPROVISE: I have a plastic jug that I fill with softener. When I do my wash, I almost always have a washcloth in it. (We use a fresh one every day.) I dip the wet washcloth in the softener, and that goes in the dryer. No dryer sheets to buy or throw out. My washcloths stay sweet smelling, and the bottled stuff is easier to buy no scent/limited scent than the dryer sheets, and of course it costs way less, too. — Judi, New Hampshire

CREATE: I make my own laundry detergent: 2 cups Borax, 2 cups washing soda and 2/3 bar FelsNeptha soap, grated. Mix in jar. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load. This mixture works really well. If you have a stubborn stain, take the FelsNaptha and rub it on stain. — bugsmom125

SUBSTITUTE: I use regular vinegar for the rinse cycle. — Suzee, New Mexico

SEPARATE: You’ll use less fabric softener if you separate your cottons and synthetics. Synthetics are what typically cause static, so you can hang-dry those. — Aubrey, e-mail

DIFFERENTIATE: I keep inexpensive detergent around for washing rugs and cleaning rags. I hate to use my favorite detergent on these things. — cab54

How do you save in the laundry room?

Posted by Sara Noel on December 21 2008. Filed under Frugal Tips.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook