How to Save Money on Laundry
Catherine Zoerb
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Everybody has dirty laundry, but there are ways to save on the expense of doing laundry. It does not matter if you live in a small apartment and must use a community laundry room or have your own w 
asher and dryer. Most of these tips can be used, no matter what your family size, home size, and personal situation are. Here are some simple tips on how to save money when cleaning your clothes.
Wash in Cold Water- If you do a lot of laundry, this can save you a decent amount of money. It also helps your clothes last longer and fade less. You do not need cold water detergent- regular detergent works just fine. However, if you live in a hard water area, you may want to use a liquid detergent.
Use Less Detergent- Most people use too much detergent. How dirty are your clothes? If you work in a coal mine, you may need to fill the cap to the top. If your clothes are not super dirty, do not mindlessly fill the provided scoop to the top. I usually only fill the detergent cap to the first line, if that.
Do Not Use So Much Fabric Softener- If you use dryer sheets, cut them in half. If you do not live in a particularly dry area, you can cut them even more. I have my sheets cut into four strips. The box lasts four times as long! If you use liquid softener, try to use a quarter of the recommend amount. If that is not enough, up it to half. You may need a lot less than you think you do!
Do Not Dry your Laundry in the Dryer- You can do this even if you do not have a lot of room. Amazon.com and other places have retractable clotheslines for sale for a reasonable price. When I lived in an apartment, I used to do my wash at the Laundromat and bring the wet laundry home to dry. I had a five line retractable clothesline, which would retract when not in use. Now that I own a home, I have a permanent clothesline in the basement. I also have a folding clothes dryer. These can be purchased inexpensively at discount stores. I also see them at yard sales and thrift stores all the time. The clothes will dry stiff, but there will be less wrinkles in the clothes, and they will soften up as you wear them.
Wash in Cold Water- If you do a lot of laundry, this can save you a decent amount of money. It also helps your clothes last longer and fade less. You do not need cold water detergent- regular detergent works just fine. However, if you live in a hard water area, you may want to use a liquid detergent.
Use Less Detergent- Most people use too much detergent. How dirty are your clothes? If you work in a coal mine, you may need to fill the cap to the top. If your clothes are not super dirty, do not mindlessly fill the provided scoop to the top. I usually only fill the detergent cap to the first line, if that.
Do Not Use So Much Fabric Softener- If you use dryer sheets, cut them in half. If you do not live in a particularly dry area, you can cut them even more. I have my sheets cut into four strips. The box lasts four times as long! If you use liquid softener, try to use a quarter of the recommend amount. If that is not enough, up it to half. You may need a lot less than you think you do!
Do Not Dry your Laundry in the Dryer- You can do this even if you do not have a lot of room. Amazon.com and other places have retractable clotheslines for sale for a reasonable price. When I lived in an apartment, I used to do my wash at the Laundromat and bring the wet laundry home to dry. I had a five line retractable clothesline, which would retract when not in use. Now that I own a home, I have a permanent clothesline in the basement. I also have a folding clothes dryer. These can be purchased inexpensively at discount stores. I also see them at yard sales and thrift stores all the time. The clothes will dry stiff, but there will be less wrinkles in the clothes, and they will soften up as you wear them.