Laundry

Don’t we all want soft, clean, great-smelling laundry—clothes with no traces of stains or yellowing?  Mary has some great resources to help you wash your clothes and bedding at a reasonable cost.  Also, learn how to minimize the impact on your health and the environment. Read on for some great ideas. Get your washing done –  cheaper, better, and faster!

From economical ways to approach your wash, such as, How to Wash a Down Comforter to How to Use the Right Amount of Laundry Detergent, to How to Get Yellow Stained Bed Pillows White Again, you’ll be grateful for this practical, economical information.

female hands typing on white computer keyboard on white desk

Ask Me Anything: Groupon, Super Stain, Annoying Birds, Surprise Fees and More

My virtual mailbag is turning up questions and situations that I doubt are exclusive to only the writers. We all
borax washing soda questions

Borax vs. Washing Soda: What’s the Difference? Plus Everything Else We Need to Know

In this post, we'll compare these two popular laundry additives, exploring their similarities, differences, and the various ways you can
ingredients to make homemade laundry stain remover

Absolutely the Best Homemade Laundry Stain Remover!

I'm excited to tell you how to make a fabulous, if not magical, do-it-yourself homemade stain remover. Compare this SHOUT
flannel sheets in red tartan plaid with patchwork cover

Best Flannel Bed Sheets

There are few things as comforting as slipping between super soft, comfy flannel sheets on a cold winter night. But not
borax brand name and generic

7 Reasons You Would Be Smart to Add Borax to Every Wash Load

Adding 1/2 cup of borax to every load of laundry will do all kinds of wonderful things to keep your
wadded up sheets bed sheets in dryer

The Solution for Wadded-Up Bed Sheets, Blankets, and Duvet Covers

I've discovered a fabulous solution. Some very smart person has come up with a gadget (made in the USA, yay!)

Easy Fixes for the Big 3 Laundry Disasters

What do stinky, yellowed, and crayon-stained laundry items have in common? They're the reason many people write to me. Fortunately,
dry clothes inside clothes dryer

15 Things That Should Never Go in the Clothes Dryer

In the same way that drying clothes outdoors on a clothesline has its limitations (weather, effort, community rules that forbid
Fluffy white towels on table with shutter doors

How to Wash White Laundry to Keep It Looking Brilliant

In the same way that there are rules in life for things like how to drive a car, how to
Close-up Of Person's Hand Cleaning Carpet With Sponge

Homemade Stain Remover for Carpet and Laundry

Unlike some other homemade laundry stain and detergent products you'll find here at Everyday Cheapskate, this one is also a
Multi-ethinic arms outstretched to ask questions

How to Get Pet Hair Out of Carpet, Ugly Out of Laundry and More

Once again, it's time to reach into my virtual mailbag and answer a few questions from my dear readers ...
female hands typing on white computer keyboard on white desk

Ask Me Anything: Pet Odor, Line-Dried Towels, HOT Cold-Brew and MORE!

Here it is mailbag day, when I reach into my virtual mailbag to read and respond to a handful of
Green domestic housekeeping and sustainable cleaning laundry with chic homemade softener made of vinegar and baking soda for fluffy rolled towels on wooden background vinegar in laundry

11 Smart Reasons to Use Vinegar With Laundry (and When Not To)

Using inexpensive distilled white vinegar in the laundry is smart because it will whiten, brighten, reduce odor, and soften clothes

Laundry Stripping is the Easy Solution for Dingy Gray Sheets, Towels, Underwear

I can't recall a time when I was excited and at the same time embarrassed to tell you about something
laundry day with clean clothes on hanging rack and dryer in the background

Two Easy Recipes for Wrinkle Release Anti-Static Spray—Cheap, Easy

Unlike myself, not everyone I know loves to iron. I guess I’m crazy that way. There’s just something soothing, calming
laundry vignette

6 Ways to Make Safe, Problem-Free, Homemade Fabric Softener, Dryer Sheets

Fabric softeners are designed to reduce static and make laundry come out feeling soft and smelling great. But they can
Detergent and Laundry

How to Make the Best Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

Powdered laundry detergent To make one quart powdered laundry detergent, you need these items: 32-ounce or larger container with lid
A kitchen with a sink and a window

12 Frugal Laundry Tips That Will Save You A Fortune

If you've ever suffered the heartbreak of stains, unbearable stink, or other kinds of annoying laundry issues—or just want to
Six pairs fashionably faded blue denim jeans neatly stacked

7 Simple Secrets to Make Jeans Last Longer

These days, jeans seem to rip and fall apart long before their time, a problem with simple solutions for how to
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Q/As on Auto Leasing, Homemade Detergent, Silver, and MORE!

You should see my email inbox. Yikes! It's overflowing with reader questions, tips, stories, feedback, rebuttals, and all kinds of
soap

How to Make Sure You are Using the Right Amount Laundry Detergent

As you know, and only because I do mention it from time to time, I get a lot of email.

How to Remove Yellow Sweat Stains—It Really Works!

Yellow armpit stains on white shirts are a problem if my inbox is any indication, which I believe it is.

How to Deep Clean a Washing Machine—Top and Front Loading (and Why You Should!)

If you assume the inside of your washing machine is the cleanest place in your home because you put detergent
Fresh towels and green branches on light grey stone table in bathroom

I Searched, Tested, Tried—Behold, The Secret to Keeping White Laundry Brilliantly White

If you've ever sent perfectly functional household linens or clothing items to the rag bag simply because they turned a
white pillows

How to Get Yellow-Stained Bed Pillows White Again

Favorite bed pillows get a lot of use every night. We keep clean pillowcases on them and don’t think much
A plate of food with a birthday cake, with Candle

Ask Me Anything: Candle Wax Removal, Laundry Sanitizer, Heavy-Duty Window Cleaner

A many-candled birthday cake left you with a mess of melted candle wax, now hardened and hopelessly stuck to your

That Bed Sheet Pet Peeve, How to Soften Hard Water for Laundry

It may not show up in The Top Tens Biggest Pet Peeves (yes, there is such a thing), but getting
A close up of a egg

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Whenever I write about the benefits of using wool dryer balls in place of laundry softeners, I get a few
A close up of a flower

Ask Me Anything: Concrete Stains, Yellowed Whites, Power Toothbrush

Every day when I open my inbox, I find dozens, if not hundreds, of questions from the audience. Want to
washing soda borax on white laundry

Help! I Get Clumps of Crystals in My Homemade Laundry Detergent

Several times over the past years, I have wished with all my heart I could call Mr. Migaki, my favorite
lestoil in laundry

How to Get Fabulous Results Treating Laundry Stains with Lestoil

Lestoil (“less toil”) Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner is a product that’s been around for at least a hundred years. Your
wool dryer balls hand placing into laundry dryer

How Wool Dryer Balls Really Work to Save Money and Protect Family Health

A previous post, on why laundry softening products are a real problem continues to strike a chord with thousands of readers.
laundry softeners collage

Commercial Fabric Softeners are the Problem (Here is the Solution)

When it comes to doing laundry, most of us are prone to overkill. We want beautifully clean, brilliantly white, soft,

26 Surprisingly Useful Ways to Use Dryer Sheets Around the House

Dryer sheets have so many other uses around that home that have nothing to do with laundry—indoors, outdoors, and in

Ask Me Anything: Rust Stains, HE Washer, Stained Concrete, More

Every day when I open my inbox, I find dozens, if not hundreds, of questions from the audience. Want to
Lestoil in laundry basket

10 Things You’ll Be Happy to Know About Lestoil

Apparently, Lestoil has been manufactured right here in the USA for decades and loved by many. Curiously, I'd never even
English bull dogs under the laundry

Get Pet Hair and Fragrance Build-Up Out of the Laundry

Dogs and cats shed. A lot. That pet hair can get all over the house—on rugs, on bedsheets, and clothes.
Cotton fabrics close up

This is the Most Reliable Way to Eliminate Mothball Odor in Fabric

I love fabric and fine textiles of all kinds, but mostly I love cotton—cotton yard goods, sheets, towels, and cotton quilts.
Washing machine

How to Wash a Down Comforter

If you’ve ever wondered if it's okay to wash your down comforter instead of taking it to the dry cleaners,
Bottle and Detergent

Using Regular Detergent in a High-Efficiency Washer is Risky Business

If you've ever wondered what's the difference between regular laundry detergents and those designated as "High Efficiency" or HE if

The Story of Soilove

Everyday Cheapskate participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for
woman removing clothes and towels from clothes dryer

This is Why You See Dryer Lint—You’re Drying Your Clothes to Death!

See all that lint in your clothes dryer trap? Yikes! It's proof-positive your clothes and linens are wearing out prematurely
Close-up Of Female Hands Pouring homemade laundry detergent In The Blue Bottle Cap

Is Homemade Laundry Detergent Safe to Use in Today’s Washing Machines?

It’s been many years now since I switched from commercial laundry detergent to making it myself—both powdered and liquid homemade
Bath towels of different colors in wicker basket on light background

How to Get Gross Stinky Towels Smelling Fresh and Lovely Again

If my inbox is any indicator of what’s going on in the world, and I believe it is, smelly towels
laundry room detergent

How to Make the Best Homemade Laundry Detergent—Liquid and Powdered

I’m not proud to admit it, but there was a time that I would’ve rather shoved toothpicks under my fingernails