Eons: View message "Save Your Clothes " in Squeaking by Retirement Group

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Save Your Clothes

From Dollar Stretcher...

"I learned years ago quite by accident just how much dryers
wear out clothing. The boss's wife came into the office
wearing the same outfit I had on that day. Her outfit was
badly faded and mine still looked great. I drip-dried mine on the shower rod. She dried her outfit in the clothes dryer. Her outfit looked years older. We bought them at the same store around the same time.

If you need to use the dryer, be sure to add a small, clean,
dry towel to your load. I have one of those cheaper small bath towels set aside for just this purpose. This saves a lot of drying time. Before I started using this method, I had to put extra money in our apartment house dryers in order for my cotton socks and undies to get completely dry. Now I save that extra 75 cents a load and have saved a lot of money with this method."

Boy - I never heard of the towel thing. Did you?

posted by HippyGirl52

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I haven't either. I did hear about putting a small, wet towel in if clothes sat a bit and were wrinkled. I think might be a wash on saving, though. Save on ironing, perhaps,
but you are using the dryer more. If I do it, I try to just do it long enough to get the worst wrinkles out and then take it out and let it line dry.

posted by topazgram
3 months ago

I have never heard of the towel either. I use a 1/4 of a dryer sheet to keep static electricity from building up.

I also only have dry my clothes, and hang them to dry. Some items I only run for 10 minutes then smooth and lay out to dry.

With my better outfits I only use Woolite. I hang all of my shirts and husband's shirts damp, then smooth out. I also use the wrinkle remover for them if necessary.

posted by TinLizzy
3 months ago

I really try to use the dryer as little as possible. I love my clothes line.
I am moving and they do not allow outside drying. I am hoping they might change thier minds.
Dryer sheets are handy but I have read they are very toxic. Toxics released when they are heated. I do use them to keep mice out of drawers over the winter at the cottage. Seems to work.

posted by lovesreading
3 months ago

Thanks for the tip.

I live in a housing community that does not 'allow' (can't wait to move to more relaxed living!) clotheslines, but I have my trusty little folding clothesline that I got in Japan as well as regular hangers that I place some shirts on.

Another little tip for keeping clothes looking new longer is using the right detergent. Not to put in a plug for Cheer, but since I started using it, our clothes have stopped fading and the color stays bright for years.

I envy those of you who can hang your clothes out on the line. I absolutely love the smell and feel of sheets that have been hanging on the line.

MJ

posted by mjbrut
3 months ago

No, I never heard of the dry towel, good tip. I hardly ever use my dryer. For one thing it is old as the hills, takes forever to dry, besides I just like to hang out clothes. Luckily I live where I can do it.

posted by gramar2
3 months ago

Speaking of laundry, have any of you tried the Carbona Dye Grabber? Lots of times I have a half load of whites and a half load of colors to wash. The Dye Grabber lets me do one full load with both without coloring my whites. It's good for up to 30 loads and they have a counter on the package to help you keep track. You have to be careful not to put it in the dryer though because it will stop working.

posted by miniquilter
3 months ago

no - it is a scary thought to put both in one load for me - but you say I works, huh? I'll look for it - what does it cost?

posted by HippyGirl52
3 months ago

Hancock's sells it for about $5. You can look around online for a better price but you'll have to add shipping. I only use it when I combine loads so it lasts longer. 30 loads for $5 is 17 cents a load. Way cheaper than doing an extra wash.

posted by miniquilter
3 months ago

I used to dry everything outside, but now I don't have the time, and now my back yard has no sun....oh well what can you do? Thanks for the advise on the towel and the dye grabber....will have to look it up...

posted by wannabentenn
3 months ago

A PS on the Dye Grabber. I did an experiment with mine yesterday. I had 2 pairs of brand new black jeans to wash and just to see what would happen I put in a scrap of white cotton fabric and the Dye Grabber. The white fabric came out a pale grey and the Dye Grabber came out a lot darker than when it went in. Considering how black jeans bleed excess dye from manufacturing, I thought it worked pretty good but I can't recommend it for new clothes. Just use it for stuff that's been through the wringer a time or two.

posted by miniquilter
3 months ago

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