Shockingly, it’s been almost a year since I’ve shared a fresh batch of laundry hacks here on the blog, so I thought I’d rectify that situation today! (Those who are interested in exploring my previous installments of laundry hacks can check those out here and here.)
But today’s post will be a little different, because today we’ll be focusing specifically on laundry hacks that can help save you money. From spending less on supplies to extending the lifespan of your clothes, these frugal laundry hacks prove will help keep your clothes clean and keep more money in your pocket!
8 Frugal Laundry Hacks That Work Like A Charm
1. Wash In Cold Water
With a few exceptions (such as towels, whites, and heavily soiled items), I wash everything in cold water. Not only does this help extend the lifespan of my clothes and linens, but it’s also better for treating stains, since hot water can actually cause certain stains to set permanently into fabrics.
2. Make Your Own Detergent
If you’re looking for ways to save money, making your own laundry detergent is a no-brainer! For around $30 in supplies, you can make enough powdered laundry detergent to last you the rest of the year (if not longer!)
And best of all, my favorite homemade powdered laundry detergent is just as effective as the store-bought stuff. Check out even more money-saving laundry DIYs here.
3. Fight Fading With Salt
You don’t need an expensive detergent or a fancy laundry booster to fight fading and keep colors bright and vivid. All you need is a couple of tablespoons of kosher salt!
Adding salt to the wash cycle when washing colors will help set the dyes into the fibers of your clothing. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to preventing fading and keep your clothes looking new longer.
4. Save Shrunken Clothing
Another reason why I prefer to wash my clothes in cold water is that it makes it much less likely I’ll accidentally shrink something. But even if I did shrink something, I could always use this easy 3-step process for unshrinking clothing!
It basically involves soaking the item in sudsy water, gently stretching it back into shape, and then allowing it to air dry to avoid any re-shrinking. I’ve used this method to revive several of my own treasured clothing items, and I think it’s well worth the time for anyone to learn!
5. Use Dryer Balls
Does it often feel like it takes forever for things to dry properly in your dryer? In most cases, a few wool dryer balls are all you need to solve the problem!
Wool dryer balls are exactly what they sound like: balls of wool that go in your dryer. As they tumble around amongst your clothes, they open up channels and pockets that help increase airflow and dry clothes faster.
You can buy a set of wool dryer balls online fairly inexpensively, or you could get ahold of some wool yarn and make your own!
6. Brighten & Deodorize With Baking Soda
From smelly work uniforms to smoky camping clothes, tough odors can prove just as tricky get rid of as stains! But when it comes to deodorizing smelly clothes, nothing I’ve tried works quite as well as good old baking soda.
Just add about 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washer along with your clothes. Not only will it help eliminate lingering odors in the fabric, but it will also help brighten colors and whites too!
7. Dissolve Residues With Vinegar
Much like I rely on baking soda for tackling odors, I always reach for vinegar when I’m dealing with stubborn residues. When absorbent items like towels don’t get rinsed well enough in the wash, fabric softener and detergent residue can build up on the fabric and form a stubborn film that detergent alone can’t remove.
But luckily for us, acidic vinegar can cut through that buildup and revive your towels. When you put those musty towels in the wash, add your normal amount of detergent and 1/2 cup of vinegar, and they’ll come out much fresher and cleaner!
(Want to avoid residue and buildup becoming an issue in the first place? Make sure you’re using the recommended amount of detergent for your load size, and add an extra rinse cycle for good measure!)
8. Read Tags Before Buying
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for clothes and linens, but taking the time to check the tags could save you a lot of frustration in the long run. If the tag says “dry clean only,” it’s good to know that before you buy it instead of realizing it after you’ve taken the tags off!
Related: How to Wash Silk The Right Way
By choosing clothes that you can wash and care for at home, you can save plenty of money on dry cleaning services over time.
Share your favorite frugal laundry hacks in the comments below!
