This year is all about saving money every day while trying to increase your income potential. If you did one thing each day that could save as little as $5 over the course of a year, you could have an extra $1800 in your pocket at the end of the year. Not all of these tips may apply to you, so to keep it fair, not all of them will apply to me.
Every week we do laundry in our apartment complex. Every week we end up going after that pain in the butt neighbor who uses a quart of nasty-smelling powdered laundry detergent in each load. The powder is everywhere and then my laundry ends up smelling so “spring fresh” I get a migraine.
Not anymore. A quarter cup of vinegar in place of fabric softener reduces or eliminates smells. It’s quick, easy, and cheap. Now I don’t have to rewash. It also helps for clothes that have a mildew smell, smoke smell, and more.
365 Days of Saving Money: $1545 Annually (Running Total)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I remember the days of doing laundry at the laundry mat and I'd run into the same problem….people who think that if one cup is good, 2 or 3 or 4 cups must do even a better job! UGH!! That is where I also learned to despise the "April Fresh" scent!
I am glad you posted about the vinegar tip…I'd almost forgotten about that one!
btw: you mean white vinegar, right, not the apple cider vinegar? Just thought I'd check…. some of your readers might not know that there is a BIG difference in the two. I learned that the hard way in college!! HA!!
Vinegar rocks! I don't use fabric softener and hadn't thought to add the vinegar directly to the laundry! Wonderful idea – will have to try it when needed. With my personal washer machine, I have run a vinegar & water wash cycle (sans clothes) to improve the smell of the basin… but I like your technique better – more efficient and saves resources!
Really loving this 365 format of helpful hints.
I started doing this when I inherited a bunch of maternity clothes from a friend who uses strongly scented fabric softener. Works like a charm!
@A. Marie: Good call! Yes, we use distilled white vinegar. I buy it in bulk at Costco and it just costs me pennies.
@Jules: I never thought of using vinegar to clean the washer itself. I'm glad you like the new format. I missed a couple days, but will be doubling up on others. No matter what, there will be at least 365 by the end of the year.
@Debbie: I bought a Pendleton skirt on ebay and I still can't wear it. I can't use vinegar since it's dry clean only, so I put it in a plastic bag with about two cups of baking soda. Should be ready for the dry cleaner next week, I just have to shake it out.