HOMEMADE REUSABLE DRYER SPONGES

Here is yet another "recipe" for pinching some pennies. This is a great way to lessen the costs of laundry and help save the environment. If you make your own dryer sheets AND laundry soap a family of four can easily finance a year's worth of laundry on $5 or less.The savings are substantial!!

A cheap sponge
Liquid fabric softener
Clean container (baby wipes, formula, #10 can, etc)

Add 1 part fabric softener to 3 parts water and mix in container. Cut sponge into little pieces (I do three) and then put in container and soak. Just squeeze out a sponge and put it into the dryer with your wet clothes and you are good to go!! YAY. =) FYI: I've also heard of people doing this with strips of flannel but I've never tried it.

LIQUID HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

YES FOLKS, it's true...and it really works!! This recipe makes 10 gallons of liquid laundry detergent for just a little over $2 (which is less than a penny a load!!!!!!!!!!!) I found all the ingredients at Macey's and it only takes about 1 hour to make.

4 cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax

Grate Fels-Naptha and add to saucepan with water. I cut mine up and throw it in the food processor. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Stir again then fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use because it will get lumpy and/or gel.

You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons once soap has cooled. I don't because I personally like the citrus-y smell of Fels-Naptha. Ideas: lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, etc…

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 1/3 cup per load

-Front Load Machines- 1/4 cup per load

FYI: You NEED to use Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda." Baking Soda will not work nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent. It must be sodium carbonate!!