I use ALL of anything in bottles even laundry detergent…I use last bit, then add hot water and shake it well….I get one more load out of it!! Then it is clean and ready to recycle, I HATE seeing those suds go down a drain.

I use a half a dryer sheet instead of a whole. Or if I am too lazy to tear them apart, reuse them a second time. Or use them to dust like you would a “swiffer” cloth.

Only wash laundry when you have a full load. With most shirts I put them in the dryer for just a few minutes to get the wrinkles out and then hang them to dry. For jeans they dry a few minutes and then get thrown over the top of the shower bars to dry the rest of the way. Always reuse the dryer sheets 2 or 3 times.

I really like liquid fabric softener (keeps the undies static free! ) so I mix it 2/3 vinegar 1/3 fabric softener. Clothes still smell good and are static free but stretches the fabric softener.

Wash most loads of laundry in cold water.

Use vinegar in the wash instead of liquid fabric softener – does just as good a job, doesn’t involve petrochemicals, and the vinegar helps set darker colors on an item being washed for the first time so that it doesn’t bleed in subsequent washes.

I’ve heard you can use a small ball of aluminum foil in the dryer in place of dryer sheets…have never tried it though.

Dryer sheets and fabric softener actually break down the fibers in the fabric faster and consequently your clothes don’t last as long. I also try to hang dry as much as possible. I do this mostly with shirts. I run them thru the dryer for about 5 minutes to get the wrinkles out, then I hang them all up on hangers to dry. Then they just go straight into the closets! I figure I save $ by not running so many dryer cycles plus my clothes last longer and they dry crisply straight every time!

Homemade Detergent

2c borax
2c washing soda
1 bar of soap- MICROWAVE for 90 seconds+

put the microwaved soap foam and 1 c borax, 1 c washing soda into the blender and blend away—-then mix with the other 1c each of soda, borax. Use 1-2TB/load.

Wash your jeans and most other clothes inside out. This helps prevent fading and helps clothes last longer!

I use vinegar in my HE machine with no problems. I usually just fill the fabric softener dispenser cup, or add it to the liquid detergent cup (after detergent is already in) until it is full. I think you only need about 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load.

I’ve been using half the detergent advised for a load (smells and looks as clean), and spray-then dry-a rag with softener for homemade dryer sheets. Heavy sweatshirts only get dried part way then are taken out and hung up to finish drying. Someday I intend to make my own laundry soap, too. Just don’t have the space or ambition.