TTT, or Todays Tiny Tip !

[Mermaid02]

Or you can go one step further and not use fabric softener at all. I use dryer balls instead of fabric softener and everything comes out soft. The dryer balls cost a bit up front, but it's a one-time expense.

My Mother in law plays tennis and gives us her tennis balls when they are "played out"- dog toys or dryer balls, it's our choice!

 

[Mermaid02]

yes.along the lotion lines I use Oil of Olay for my face and when that pump tube stops pumping, I take it apart and use the remnants for the next couple of days till it's TRULY empty
I bought a shark steam mop at Goodwill,and now use only hot water to clean the floors,no more soap cleaners....

I have one too! Although I wasn't lucky enough to find it at GoodWill. I think it does a fabulous job and love not having the chemicals in the air- we all have asthma (even dh though he doesn't admit it.)

 

[eeyoresmom]

Love, love, love the sharp cheese idea! And for anyone whose never read or watched Dave Ramsey, very motivating even if you don't follow him religiously. Here's my TTT, when your nail polish gets a little too thick or "gummy" in the bottle, add a few drops of remover and shake to return it too it's original smooth consistency.

 

[thebigkahuna]

My Mother in law plays tennis and gives us her tennis balls when they are "played out"- dog toys or dryer balls, it's our choice!

you can use tennis balls as dryer balls?

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

you can use tennis balls as dryer balls?

I do and after I have used them for a while, I give them to the dog. I had the blue one's I bought at BB&B but they turned the inside of my dryer blue. So I threw them away.

Tip for cheese: I purchase cheese in a block and shred it at home.

 

[SweetMommy]

Along the lines of cutting the dryer sheets in half...........we use the Purex 3n1 sheets for our laundry and cut those in half and it works great. Also, don't buy the starter kit for this product, it is usually around 9 dollars and has far less sheets in it. You are paying for the container to hold the sheets when you buy refills. I found myself constantly throwing the container away by accident and have just given up and started buying the refill package which contains a ton more sheets. And they do just fine not being kept in a closed case.

 

[DWGal210]

I have been cleaning my house with mostly vinegar & baking soda. If you're sensitive to cleaning chemicals (as I am), this works great. You'd be surprised how well vinegar works. Plus, a giant bottle at the store is VERY inexpensive!

 

[snowywhite89]

Or you can go one step further and not use fabric softener at all. I use dryer balls instead of fabric softener and everything comes out soft. The dryer balls cost a bit up front, but it's a one-time expense.

I second this. The dryer balls cost $9.99+tax. I have used them for just short of 4 years.



We have the front loaders and ours said to use 1/2 of the detergent that the HE bottles tell you. We use vinegar for the fabric softener.

We clean with vinegar too.

 

[minnie1928]

As far as dryer sheets go, you can use them more than once. When they start getting weak, you can use multiple used dryer sheets. Once they are done, use them to clean your shower walls and then throw them out. That's how to really get the money's worth out of them!!

 

[hollypoast]

I've started making my own laundry detergent. It's easy, cheap and works well. Equal parts washing soda, Borax and Oxy Clean powder. All three can be found in the laundry detergent aisle.

Also, olive or grape seed oil is a great moisturizer. I use olive oil on my face and body. A small amount goes a long way. I no longer use face moisturizer, eye cream or body lotion. And surprisingly, after applying olive oil to my face it is much less "shiny" than when I used moisturizer. I use to us matifier after putting on my facial moisturizer. With olive oil I no longer need the matifier. It makes me sick thinking about all of the $ I use to spend on "beauty" products.

I love this thread... great idea!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

subscribing to all of these great tips. I've thought about a dryer ball before but never tried it. Might have to now. Does it really last for years?

 

[jessp1021]

Love this thread!!! For those that clean with vinegar what do you clean..I am not sold on using chemical based products anymore but still need to keep the bathroom clean lol

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

Toothpaste for acne. When I have "face issues" I'll put some on the spots overnight and it helps to dry them out.

 

[abolanwoski]

If you have a backyard, put up a clothes line. You will save a ton of money by not using the dryer, your clothes won't get static and if they are too crispy, you can use a VERY small amount of liquid softener (cheaper than sheets) in the wash. If your machine doesn;t have a dispenser, use a downy-ball. Your clothes and linens will last longer as well.

Get rid of paper towels and start keeping a small sponge at the sink to wipe spills. You can put the sponge in the dishwasher once a week to prevent "funk" (if you use one) or run it through with your white wash (bleach) to make it last longer (especially during the warmer months)

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Toothpaste for acne. When I have "face issues" I'll put some on the spots overnight and it helps to dry them out.

Just wanted to say hi!! I'm in Norman!

I also use toothpaste to clean the faucets while I'm brushing my teeth. I just squirt a little bit and rub it in with a cloth, then rinse it after I rinse my mouth. It also works on silver jewelry (but it has to be the paste kind, not the gel).

 

[eeyoresmom]

For those that make their own laundry detergent using bars of soap; unwrap the soap and let it just dry out ( the longer the better) . It is soooooo much easier to grate.

 

[semo233]

Here's another similar thread that I have been following for a LONG time:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1819347

 

[Marshay]

Fluff and shake out your clothes from the washer (you know how they get all compact from the spin cycle?) before putting in the dryer, this allows the air to circulate better. Also, throw a dry towel into the dryer with the wet clothes, it will absorb a bit of the moisture. Doing both these cuts down about 10-15 minutes of drying time, which over the year can add up to a lot!

Thanks for these 2 tips...I need to try them!

I got the dryer balls at Dollar Tree

Can you tell me more about dryer balls? I can't believe I never heard of them before...

Last year, I bought the dryer balls and they worked fantastic in the summer. Now, I've noticed a little more static this winter, so I may occasionally throw in 1/2 a dryer sheet to cut down on that. But, other than that, fantastic money saver.
I also cut WAY back on my laundry soap last year. I followed the advice I received to take a washed and dried towel and put it in the washer with just water. If soap bubbles form, you know you are using too much soap. Yep! I had a ton of bubbles. I cut my laundry soap in half for every load! That was a pretty BIG cost savings.

Silly question, but are you saying that the extra soap was leftover in the towel? I really hate to think that my clothing has a ton of extra soap in it. I'll need to try this. Thanks!

 

[Marshay]

Heard on one of those talk shows that putting your kitchen sponge in the microwave for 2 minutes is more effective at killing germs than putting it in the dishwasher. So that's what I do now.

Thanks for all the tips! I look forward to reading more!

 

[lonegirl]

We use cold-pressed coconut oil on my son's ezcema. $6 a tub at the grocery store, all natural, works wonders. Lasts for months.