Economical Care Tips for Your Clothes

Times are getting tough here in the US, and many are having to scrap by paycheck to paycheck. Help your money go further and your life flow easier by following these tips.

01. Arrange clothes in your closet based on their wash-type.

02. Put clear polish over the threads on buttons to help them last longer while washing and wearing.

03. Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle of brand new clothes to set in the color.

04. Hang seasonal clothes in the attic instead of storing them in boxes to minimize wrinkles.

05. Moth-proof your clothes with a mixture of black pepper and rosemary.

06. If you plan on using hand-me-downs from previous children for your younger ones, store them in boxes clearly marked for age and gender to help find them when you need them.

07. Make your own laundry detergent by mixing equal amounts of washing soda and borax, Add ½ cup of the mixture for each load. For sweet smelling clothes, mix in a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. For fabric softener, add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for soft clothes.

08. Always wash shedding (chenille, terrycloth and etc) clothing separate from collecting (corduroy and anything permanent press) clothing to prevent delinting time.

09. Use powder detergent versus liquid, consumer testing has shown it cleans better and it's also cheaper per load.

10. If you have a problem with missing socks, put a stop to this by washing them inside of a zipper pillow case and you will never lose another.

11. Zip up zippers on clothes before washing and this will prevent snagging on other clothing.

12. To wash a baseball cap and retain it's shape, wash it in the dishwasher on the top rack with only a tiny amount of detergent on a normal cycle.

13. Washing clothes on a cold cycle has numerous benefits. One, it saves on water heating costs. Two, clothes last longer when washed in cold water. Three, it saves energy which in return is good for the planet. Four, it doesn't fade colors or strain fabrics.

14. Washing jeans inside out helps them last longer, both in wear and color.

15. Use baby shampoo on delicate washables. Dilute a dime size in a sink full of water, dry as stated on garment label.

16. For garments with sequins and beads, put them in a pillow case that has been knotted close. Throw it in the gentle cycle.

17. Always wash loads using the right water level. You waste when you wash a small load on large.

18. Empty the lint trap with every load, this helps to prevent fires and saves on energy costs.

19. Late for your big meeting and your pants are still wet in the dryer? Take everything out but your pants and throw in a dry pair. The dry pair helps absorb the wetness and speeds along the drying process.

20. Get lipstick stains out with petroleum jelly. Add some to the stain and wash as normal.

21. Use once-used dryer sheets as dusting rags, they suck up dust better than those now popular brands and save you money.

22. Fill a spray bottle with two parts water and one part ammonia for an instant stain remover. (Test first!)

23. Use hairspray on ballpoint pen stains.

24. Hanging clothes outside not only saves energy, it also helps your clothes last longer.

Sources:
"Perfect Housewives" TV Show, "How Clean Is Your House" TV Show, and tips from my friends and family.