FABRIC SOFTNER

I have discovered a long time ago that I can make a bottle of fabric softner go twice as far when I only use have the amount it calls for in a load of laundary and works just as well.  And for people who still iron there clothes (seems ironing is becoming a lost art haha) you can save on electricity if you would hang your wash and wear clothes on hanger to air dry instead of in the dryer and don't forget to unplug those irons when through ironing they still pull power even though there shut off..  I started not drying my wash and wear in the dryer couple years ago becasue it seemed when dried in the dryer my pants and tops would shrink in length. 

 Do you hang your clothes inside the house or outside?   Our neighborhood doesn't allow clotheslines, but I'm thinking I could hang them on my bathroom shower rod and leave the bathroom fan on to get the moisture out of the room.  I'd love to cut down on my electricity costs from running my dryer so much. 

becca5775:

I can make a bottle of fabric softner go twice as far when I only use have the amount it calls for

 I haven't tried it but I read years ago that the sheets that go in the drier can also be cut in half and work just as well.

I have torn the dryer sheets in half and they work just as well.  I read somewhere that someone cut them into fourths and it worked just as well. 

Angie

Where did I put my scissors? lol  How could I have missed knowing about this trick? You'd think it would have occurred to me because in the olden days when I used liquid fabric softener, I always poured half the new bottle into another bottle and added water to the other half.

My Mom used to do that with the bottles of palmolive dish soap (the dark green original type).  She'd save all her bottles so she could split them in half.  When money was really tight, she'd divide the new bottle into thirds and add water.  Still worked great because it's very concentrated.  Dawn is very concentrated too, so it might work with that soap also.

Taylorblue I hang mine outside and inside.  In the summer I love the smell of clothes that have hung outside.  But in the winter I hang them inside of hangers.  I have a rod over my washer and dryer that I hang them on but your shower rod would work also.  I have heard about the dryer sheets cutting them in half.  I use the liquid mostly because the liquid is cheaper I have found.  I use a cheap brand that smells nice.  I think the last bottle I bought was like 2.99.  I always take the lid off of stuff and smell it first before I buy it.  If I do not like the scent I do not buy it.  Did you know that most shampoos are very very concentrated also. I used to work at a Beauty Supply store for Hairdressers only and they recommened to there customers to use just about a tsp of shampoo.  Most people think they need at least a tablespoon or more and they don't.  And even if you have to wash twice there are three tsp in a tablespoon  so your still saving money on shampoo.  We were told to tell customers that just two pumps on a shampoo bottle is about right.  Its amazing how much we could save just by using less. 

Taylorblue:

used to do that with the bottles of palmolive dish soap

I still do that with washing up liquid.  Most of our stuff goes thru the dishwasher but a few things I do by hand and the diluted stuff works great.  I also do it with the liquid detergents for the washing machine.

Another thing I used to do before I had a dishwasher and always washed up by hand was cut Brillo pads in half.  This was a tip I got just after we were married forty years ago.  It does 2 things - it sharpens the scissors  and saves the scouring pads.  Usually they don't get worn out as much as totally wet and lose their "soapiness"

I use vinegar in my rinse cycle. I just pour about 1/2 cup into the Downey ball and away I go. It cuts the detergent in the rinse so it rinses better, helps soften and haven't had to use dryer sheets in a long time (I cut them in thirds LOL) and as for the smell??? I've never had a vinegar smell even when hanging my clothes outside. Just if you're using chlorine bleach in your wash don't use the vinegar for the rinse. It creates a toxic gas. Using vinegar also helps reduce soap buildup in the washer and drain. I was leary but tried it on some old blankets I use for camping and I was impressed.

I have a friend and my Grandmother crochets the onion bags into scrubbies. They've also gotten some mesh material on clearance at WM and have used that to make scrubbies. They last a long time, don't rust and can be washed in the washer with the other kitchen towels and rags. My SIL tosses them in the dishwasher when they need washing.

I make my own fabric softener sheets and can make a jug of fabric softener last about a year. There are 2 methods: First method is pouring 1 teaspoon of fabric softener onto the corner of a wet washcloth and tossing into the dryer.  Supposed to be used for only one dryer load, but I have sometimes used it twice.  Usually the second time I use it is for something that takes longer to dry, such as jeans.

Second method is soaking a dry washcloth in a plastic bowl filled with liquid fabric softener for 30 minutes. Then wearing plastic gloves, wring out the washcloth and hang up to dry for 24 hours.  Toss into the dryer as you would a store-bought fabric softener sheet. This second method will last for 100+  dryer loads. (Pour excess fabric softener back into the jug.) 

I have also found this recipe to make your own fabric softener, but have not had the chance to try it yet: Combine 2 cups of baking soda, 4 cups of water, and 2 cups of white vinegar in a sealable jug.  Shake to blend.  Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup to final rinse cycle.

I tried your method of making fabric softener sheets and it works great. I have used my "sheet" at least 5 times already and I can see it will last for a long time yet. Thanks for the great idea.

I am very glad to be of help -- especially when it comes to finding ways to save money.  I figure this to be a 90% savings on fabric softener in my home. 

Thanks for the great ideas.  I will be starting to use some of them this week. I couldn't believe how much Downy was at Wal-Mart ($10) the other day. I've been using the cheap stuff that is only $3 but that is still a lot of money. I've also noticed that tide doesn't seem to work very well if you don't use downy softner or sheets. Has anyone else had this problem? I just use the cheap purex.

Rachel~~ Try making your own laundry detergent.  It's cheaper and your clothes come out cleaner, softer, and brighter.  I used Purex for years because of skin allergies to the harsher detergents such as Tide, but then I started having problems every time they "New & Improved" the Purex.  I have been making my own laundry detergent for years now and I will never go back to the ready-made stuff. 

There are different ways to go about it, but it is always the same ingredients -- Fels Naptha bar soap, 20 Mule Team Borax, and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.

Dry Method #1: 

Mix in a large bucket with a lid: One box of 20 Mule Team Borax (65 ounce, which is $3.79 in my area) AND one box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (55 ounce, which is $2.29 in my area) AND one bar of Fels Naptha soap ($1.19 in my area) which you will need to finely grate.  Use 2 Tbsp. per load.

Liquid Method #2:

Cook over medium heat until dissolved:

6 cups of water

1/3 bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated

Stir in until thick as honey:

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Remove from heat.  Let cool slightly (so bucket doesn't warp or melt).

Pour 4 cups of hot water into a 2-gallon bucket.

Stir in soap mix until well blended.

Cover and let sit 24 hours to gel.

Use 1/2 cup per load.

Makes enough for 64 loads of laundry.

I have hard water in my area, so I use the 1/2 cup of soap.  But I have lived in an area with water that was very soft and I was able to cut the usage down to 1/4 cup of detergent.

Between using my own mix of laundry detergent and my own fabric softener sheets, our clothing is very soft.  I am wearing a pair of jeans right now that feel like soft flannel.

If you decide to make the liquid method, try to do it on a cool day that still allows you to open the windows.  The smell of soap can get kind of strong while it is on the stove.

P.S. I recycle and reuse my Ziploc bags too.  Every single one of them!!

Hey, thanks for the laundry detergent & fabric softener receipes!  Can't wait to try them.  I also appreciate all the other great ideas that have been shared (will be trying those too).