Anti-Static Dryer Ball - Adventures In Frugalness

While searching around for laundry soap recipes, I came across an anti-static idea for the dryer that saves your pocket book and the environment.  Plus...it's really good for children (and adults) with sensitive skin who are counseled not to use fabric softeners and/or dryer sheets in their laundry (that would be my children).

It couldn't have been better timing.  I was down to one dryer sheet and didn't want to go to the store to buy more.  So I thought I'd give it a try.

What is it you ask?  Aluminum Foil.  That's it.  Super simple....and Super cheap.

The idea:

Make a tightly wadded ball of aluminum foil.  (Mine started out about the size of a softball and after tumbling around in the dryer a million times (I do a LOT of laundry) it is now about the size of a tennis ball).

Not only will this substantially reduce the amount of static cling in your clothing but will eliminate the issues associated with dryer sheets (residue build up on your lint filter and other dryer parts, on fabrics, causing them to be less breathable, towels to be less absorbent, and skin to be more itchy).

For large loads you can use 2-3 balls (haven't tried this yet).

Monetary benefits...you can use the same ball(s) forever.  They don't need to be thrown out or changed. 

I have been using this method for a few weeks now. 

I'm not going to lie...it is a BIT louder than before and my husband was worried that it might be denting the inside of the dryer.  But...after finding melted crayon on my clothing and being forced to scrub out the drum of the dryer, I assured him, after close inspection, that there was not a dent to be found.  So I just close the door to the laundry room (cutting down some of the noise).

I have been completely satisfied with the static cling free (mostly) results.  Not that we haven't experienced any static...just not any more than with the dryer sheets (except the one load where the ball got stuck in the foot of my little ones "footie" pajamas and was not free to tumble around...there was a little more static then).

I believe we will be using this method for a long time to come...if not forever.

Thanks for the tips Judy @ What I Live For and Lifehacker.

Ah....you hear that?  It's the sound of Savings...my favorite.

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Will comply, for shoes...

There's two things to know about Mr. Golden Locks.

He just learned to say the word "No!"....at 19 months.  Surprising.  (I mean, it's not like that word has been used sparingly around here.) 

Also...this boy LOVES shoes.

My other boys loved shoes....but Mr. Golden Locks LIVES for shoes.  He has someone's shoes on (if not his) ALL. OF. THE. TIME!

Sometimes this can be quite bothersome to me (especially when he is squealing because he can't get them on)....but sometimes I use it to my advantage.

For instance...yesterday morning.

Me:  "Hey [Mr. Golden Locks], let's go get dressed."

MGL:  "NO!"  (loud, sharp, and to the point)

Frustration...and then....*BING*...lightbulb!

Me:  "[Mr. Golden Locks], let's go get dressed and then we can put your shoes on."

You should have seen his face explode in excitement.  He booked it to his room faster than I have ever seen him move before (which is sayin' a lot).

BINGO!

Every once in a while the "lights of mothering genius" do shine down on this mama. (here's another such instance...in case you're new here or missed it before.)

Just found this goodie....he's so darn cute (note the shoe).


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HELP...I need you: Crayon vs. Dryer

I know I told you I would post more laundry ideas soon....and I planned on it.  Just not this soon...and certainly not this one.  No...this was a new discovery...as of this morning.

The morning was going well.  Very well.  I didn't have any specific plans for the day....no appointments, no pressing errands, no immediate needs....just a day to catch up and clean up and I REALLY wanted to get a workout in.

I decided, first, to fold a bit of laundry.  I mean, Roberto has become the major laundry folder in our home as of late (because he's awesome) and I usually leave it for him.  But...I wanted to be "nice" and get a head start on it.

Imagine my surprise horror when I opened up the dryer to find this...

Wanna closer look?  How about this....

and this....

and how about this one?

What the heck?  At first I was really confused.  Then after a little time and investigation on my part, I discovered the culprit.  Crayon.  BLACK CRAYON!  Someone must have had one in their pocket.  And you know what...I wish I could blame it all on "them"....but I can't....because it's my job to check the pockets before I launder the clothes, right?

Arrrrggghhhhhh!

The articles above are just a few of the casualties.

The whole entire load is COVERED and you know what....we're not a small family....and we don't have small appliances.  When we purchased our washer and dryer we purchased the LARGEST they carried.  They hold a lot of clothes at one time....and we never run a less than packed load. Yeah...lots of clothes....*sigh*

I panicked at first...then called my mom...then searched the web...then ran to the store...and now have spent the better part of my day experimenting with different methods of getting crayon out of clothing (and the dryer drum as well).

On the bright side....at least I can blog about it.

(UPDATE:  SOLUTION:  How To:  Get crayons out of clothes)

Like I said, I have been experimenting with different methods (even looked up cleaning treatments on Crayola's website).

So here's what I'm going to do.

When all is said and done....and hopefully wax stain free...I'll share my finds with you.  You know, tell you which method worked best...with the least amount of work...and at the lowest cost.  Sound like a deal?

I have met with success so far.  There is life after melted crayon......thank goodness.  I was really worried.

Although I have to admit...I have not actually tried to tackle any articles of clothing that actually matter to me (like my favorite sweater and my more than favorite skirt, oh...and several of Rob's nice work shirts).  Instead I've been using "test" subjects( like boys underwear, pants that were showing signs of serious wear anyway, and a few pairs of Rob's holey dress socks).   

Wish me luck.

I've got a long (and scary) way to go.  And you know what...I could use your help.

Got any ideas and/or experience on the subject.  Wanna share?

UPDATE:  FIND THE SOLUTION HERE.  How To: Get Crayon out of Clothes


 P.S.  Today I linked up to Family Time Tuesday blog carnival.  Go check it out.  And don't forget to vote for T.O. on the Top Mommy Blogs by clicking on the banner below.

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How To: Homemade Laundry Soap - Adventures in Frugalness

I was first introduced to the idea of Homemade Laundry Soap quite a while back by my friend Sheena.  I was thoroughly intrigued but didn't do anything about it at the time.

Then, last week, I noticed that I was just about out of liquid laundry detergent...and try as I might, could not find any on sale for a price I was willing to pay (oh, I miss the days before the economy tanked that I used to get this for free with coupons....all of the time).  So...I thought...what the heck...let's try homemade.

So....I did.

It was SUPER CHEAP (about $1.59 for a 5 gallon bucket's worth--look for price breakdown below) and SUPER EASY to make (only took 25 minutes....start to finish). 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

4 cups water

1 bar Fels-Naptha soap 
(found in the laundry isle)

--or you can use any soap and/or soap scraps

1 cup A&H Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

Yield: 5 gallons (concentrate)
7-10 gallons (diluted)

Grate bar of soap.  Place in a saucepan with water. 

Melt on medium-low heat (don't boil it), stirring continually, until all soap is liquified.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with HOT tap water.  Add melted soap, soda, and Borax.  Stir well until all powder is dissolved.

  Finish filling the bucket with hot water.  Stir, cover, and leave overnight (giving it a chance to thicken). 

Here's what it should look like after it's sat for a while.

(like a lemon ice slushy)

Now...this 5 gallon bucket is the concentrated version (pre-treat stains with it).

The original "recipe" calls for 50/50 dilution with water, but my friend recommends using it in it's concentrated form (after trying it diluted for several months)...so you can decide what works best for you.  

Here's what I did.

I filled a container (can use an old but clean, empty laundry soap container...mine wasn't quite empty yet so I used an alternate) and filled it 3/4 full with the concentrate (see that compromise?) and the rest of the way with water.   

Shake container before each use.

You can also add your favorite scent of essential oil for a "custom" smell.  Just a few drops in your smaller container (it will be wasted in the 5 gallon bucket because the smell will dissipate over time).  

But...the essential oils are not "essential" (ha ha ha).  The Fels-Naptha has a nice lemon-y smell on it's own.  But...go ahead and play with it...it's your soap.   


This is a low sudsing detergent.

For front loading machines (yes, it is good for front loaders) use about 1/2 cup detergent.


For top loading, 3/4 to 1 cup

Try supplementing with 1 cup vinegar which has the power to naturally disinfect and soften the fabric.  (I'm definitely going to remember to do this when I do my MANY loads of "soiled" sheets.....**sigh**...boys).  (Thanks for the tip livingrichwithcoupons).


Either way...whether you dilute it or not, it is going to save you a LOT of money. 

Price breakdown

(as of Saturday at my local Walmart)

Water 

(free...he he he)

Fels-Naptha $.97 

(1 bar per recipe)

Arm & Hammer Soda $3.24

(abt 7 recipes @ 1 cup...$.46 per recipe)

Borax $2.98

(abt 18 recipes @ 1/2 cup...$.16 per recipe)

  

Total:  $7.19

or $1.59 per 5 gallon bucket

I'll let you know how it works.  

I've got more laundry tips coming.  So keep you eyes out.
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"Cream of" Soup- Recipes Tried and True

I happened upon a really good deal for stocking up on Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soup today (thanks, Happy Money Saver).

I, of course, headed on over to Fred Meyer to pick up a stockpile.  :)

But...also of interest, was a comment by one of the readers.  She left a recipe for homemade (gluten free) "cream of" soups...which is said to be super cheap to make. 

I'm always interested in cheap....I thought you might be too.  So...here you go.

Homemade "Cream of" Soup (gluten free)
1 cup cold milk
2 TBSP corn starch  
1 1/2 TBSP butter
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Place cold milk to a small sauce pan.  Add cornstarch and whisk until well blended.  Stir in butter, salt and pepper.  Heat to boil (on low I would imagine), stirring frequently.  Simmer on low for an additional minute (or until it reaches desired consistency).

To make "cream of mushroom" add 4 oz can of mushroom pieces, drained, "Cream of chicken" add 1/2 cup diced chicken,  "Cream of celery" add 1/2 cup chopped and sauteed celery, etc....

Recipe is equivalent to one regular sized can "Cream of" soup.

(Thank Lora---whoever you may be)