Completely Random Laundry Helps

Laundry! It is a job that is never complete, but ….. You’ll probably smile at the random tips I am about to share. Here they are:

Socks….When I buy a new package of socks for a child, I never give them all the pairs. I put a few pairs in a special box in my closet. Here is why—#1 On a very busy day when I am rushing out the door and my child can’t find socks, I can go to my closet and have some magically appear or #2 When the other socks start to get holes in them, I have a new pair to give my child. The new pair comes in handy when my child is headed somewhere that they will likely take off their shoes!
Dryer sheets….Cut costs by ripping your fabric softener dryer sheet in half. Half seems to work as well as the whole. I have done that for years!
Delicates…..For clothes that call for delicate cycle (but aren’t too delicate) simply place them in a pillow case and close the opening with a hair band. Then you can put them in with a regular batch of wash and the pillow case protects them. I also like to put clothes in the pillow case that can’t go in the dryer. It is a reminder to me, as I switch wash, to pull the clothes out of the pillow case and hang them up to dry. Basketball jerseys, spandex, slider shorts, and sports bras are my favorite things to wash in the pillow case. I also wash those shirts whose decal seems as though it may come off. I turn it wrong side out and then put it in the pillow case.
Expensive verses cheap washing soap…. It makes sense to wash heavily soiled items in the better brands of soap and wash your less soiled items in a cheaper brand.
Five gallon bucket…. During baseball season a five gallon bucket sits in our washroom. When my boys slide into third base they know that when those pants come off they go into the bucket with water. It may not be the best solution, but it helps to keep the stains from setting.
“Stain Stick”…. I might be considered too frugal, but I like to use a regular bar of soap as a “stain stick.” It has worked well for us. I just take the wrapper half way off and wet the edge of the soap.
Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack…. One of my best purchases ever is a clothes drying rack that collapses when it isn’t needed. It is so handy to dry clothes there instead of laying them all over the house.