So this is a picture of one of my favorite things about laundry! The clothesline! Now, I know mine isn't pretty, I would love to have one of the old, t post looking ones, with four nice long lines, but, that is not what I have...I have this. However, it works just the same! I like this one because even though it is an "eyesore" it can be taken down if I want, and I put it away for the winter. It was CHEAP and since we already have the yard fenced, Wade easily attached it to an existing post, however, it does come with a pole and directions, so you can easily DIY! Something about hanging clothes on the line makes me feel resourceful, and I just like it! It does take time, but some days if I am cleaning and doing laundry it s the only time I get outside. I really encourage you to USE your clothesline, some people say they don't like clothes that are dried outside but it really is a money/energy saver and like I said, perfect opportunity to get outside with the kiddos and do some of your housework out there (I fold my stuff as I take it off the line). So, with that being said, it brings me to me next...idea...I guess you could call it!
Normally if I am using the dryer during the winter I use dryer sheets, not liquid fabric softener in the wash. Now, as you know, if you are going to hang clothes out they get pretty stiff if you don't use fabric softener in the wash. So, since clothesline season "snuck" up on me (it was super nice earlier in the spring than normal) I had some fabric softener left from last summer but I could NOT find my Downy ball (I am sure a little boy made off with it) so I decided there has to be a way you could "make" one and sure enough, a quick "google" turned up directions on "ehow.com" (which I use A LOT). It seemed odd, but I have been using it ever since and have not gone out and bought a replacement ball. SO bear with me here, it sounds off, but I am here to tell you it works! You will need a sandwich or quart size zip-lock (if you use the quart size freezer version if you have them, they last longer cause they are a little more heavy duty) and something to poke SMALL holes, I use a panel nail...so you get the point, larger than a pin, not as big as a pen.
Then just pour a cap full of softener in and toss it in the wash! That's it! It works great, I know a little comes out while it is "washing" but the majority is forced out through the holes in the spin cycle before the rinse. There you have it! I have done probably 30-40 loads using this and have only made a new bag twice. Like I said, it will depend on quality of bag you have. If you notice it leaking, time to make a new one!
While we are on the subject of fabric softener, I also have been using this idea this weekend to get some laundry done. Since I have been using the softener in the wash and hanging clothes out, without even thinking I threw the clothes in the dryer( it is wet and cold out) and when they were done, I had a static problem. When I went to the cabinet to grab some more dryer sheets, I was OUT! Great! So, I again hopped online and found "home made" dryer sheets. All you do is take a DRY cloth (I used a bright blue washcloth) and soak it in fabric softener. I tried it with a wet cloth and I still had static, but starting with it dry I have not had a problem. They last a few loads, so it doesn't need to be done every load. I use CHEAP fabric softener, so this is economical and I don't have the used dryer sheets, I like this and think I will continue to use this instead of buying dryer sheets!
Here is another thing I use to save a little money on commercial "pre-treater" I just put laundry soap in an old dish soap bottle and that is what I use to "pre-treat". It is very effective, and I use the CHEAPEST laundry soap I can find, so it is less expensive that buying a pre-treater. I mean it, I use "Xtra" that goes on sale for $1.88 (That's if I didn't have coupons for Purex, I can get that close to $1).
So, as previously discussed, I use the CHEAPEST laundry soap and fabric softener I can find, and while I never feel like my clothes aren't clean or do not smell good, I KNOW that some loads around this ranch require more, so I use a home made laundry booster! I have blogged about this before but since it is so easy I thought I would remind you! All I do is buy a box of "20 Mule team Borax" (that's what it is called), a box of "Arm and Hammer Washing Soda" (in the laundry aisle, NOT baking soda) and a tub of "Sun Oxygen Activated Cleaner" ( cheap oxy clean)...all of these items should cost you between $6-9 and this makes a HUGE batch. I mix them all together in a large bucket and store it in a smaller container in the laundry room. I add between 1/4c. and 1c., depending on the load and like I said you will get a TON of loads out of one batch (I make a batch about every 4 months). I feel like this really works well, and it saves on the more expensive laundry soaps!
And just one last thing while we are talking about laundry soap! Since you know I buy CHEAP soap, I keep some under the sink in the mudroom bathroom to fill an old soap pump bottle, this works MUCH better on the guys dirty hands than regular softsoap and it is much less expensive than the heavy duty hand cleaners you can buy. And it can almost always get any smell out! ;) Hope these are helpful to you...happy washing!
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