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With the cost of just about everything on the rise, I find my dollar doesn't go near as far as it used to. A little saved here and there adds up to an over all decrease in the cost of running my household. Following some simple tips when it comes to laundry has helped to lower expenses and put some extra cash in my pocket book.

1. Wash and rinse in cold water. People mistakenly believe they need hot water to get their clothes clean. Cold water will clean them just as well, without the cost of heating the water. Washing in cold water does not require a special higher priced detergent. There are plenty on the market that claim to be formulated for cold water wash, but any detergent is just as effective in cold water.

2. Use less detergent. Usually you can get the same results using about half the amount recommended on the package. Your detergent will last twice as long.

3. Hanging clothes out to dry is a definite money saver. Obviously this cuts out the use of hydro to run the dryer. There is another benefit to this as well. Sunlight is the best natural whitener. Hanging your clothes on the line will brighten your whites naturally without the cost of bleach or other products

4. Wash only full loads of laundry. Your machine uses as much electricity when it's only half full as when it's full. If you simply must wear that special shirt you wore yesterday, hang it outside for a quick freshen up.

5. When using the dryer make sure the lint trap is clean. This allows your machine to run more efficiently. Also dry loads consecutively. When the dryer is still warm it uses less energy to dry the next loads.

6. When using dryer sheets cut them in half. Half a sheet softens your clothes as well as a full one. For the really frugal, used sheets make excellent dust rags. They still have enough soften left in them to attract dust to the cloth.

7. Seperate your loads. This is a very simple step to take to prevent your whites from becoming dingy and dull.

8. Wash jeans inside out to help prevent fading of the color.

9. When washing darks for the first time add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. This helps to set the color in the fabric and prevents fading and running. Likewise, to brighten darks after numerous washings, a tablespoon of salt will do the trick.

10. Make your own products to save money. Lemon juice or vinegar work great for stain removal. These are usually a staple in everyone's kitchen and eliminate the need to purchase costly stain removal products. Shampoo rubbed into the collar of a shirt is very effective for removing ring around the collar. A quarter cup of vinegar added to the final rinse cycle makes a great fabric softener. Detergent can be made with 2 cups of grated soap, 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax. This costs pennies a load as only 2 tablespoons are needed per load.

11. Most garments labelled dry clean only can be laundered at home. Woolite and the gentle cycle on your washing machine will effectively clean the fabric.

12. Fold clothes immediately after drying to eliminate the need for ironing.

Following these simple tips will add up to savings in the end. Doing laundry won't result in your money being washed down the drain and you being taken to the cleaners.

Learn more about this author, Erin Knight.
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