The Truth About “Dry Clean Only” (And When I Actually Listen to It)
Confession time: when I see “Dry Clean Only” on a tag, I don’t grab my car keys. I grab my
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.
10 Everyday Items You Never Think to Wash (But Should)
Some things in your house never see the inside of a washing machine — and you've probably never thought twice
Homemade Laundry Stain Paste That Works for Pennies
Commercial stain sticks like Tide-to-Go run $4 each for a small bottle. The homemade version is just three pantry ingredients,
How to Care for Swimsuits and Make Them Last Years
A good swimsuit costs $40 to $80 and is built to last several years — except most people unknowingly destroy
DIY Laundry Helpers That Beat Store-Bought Add-Ins
Walk down the laundry aisle and it starts to feel like you need a minor in chemistry just to wash
How to Do Laundry When Someone in Your Home Is Sick
When someone in your house gets sick, laundry quietly moves from a routine chore to a health decision. Sheets, towels,
Are You Washing Everything Too Often… or Not Enough?
From bedding to bath towels and beyond, here’s a practical, friendly guide to how often you should wash just about
Before You Buy a New Washer and Dryer, Read This
If your washer or dryer is on its last spin, take a deep breath. Replacing them doesn’t have to drain
Struggling With Pet Hair in Laundry? Try These Tricks
If you share your home with a furry friend, you know the struggle: pet hair on everything, especially your clothes.
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites and Breathe Cleaner Air
You can’t see them, but they’re everywhere—dust mites, the tiny freeloaders living in your mattress, carpet, and favorite recliner. Here’s
Stain Removal 101: The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Any Stain
Stains… they show up when we least expect them, don’t they? A rogue coffee splash on your favorite white shirt,
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 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
Absolutely the Best Homemade Stain Remover for Clothes!
I'm excited to tell you how to make a fabulous, if not magical, do-it-yourself homemade stain remover. Compare this SHOUT
Best Inexpensive Flannel Bed Sheets, Plus How to Prevent Pilling
There are few things as comforting as slipping between super soft, comfy flannel sheets on a cold winter night. But not
6 Reasons Why Borax Should Be in Every Laundry Room
Adding 1/2 cup of borax to every load of laundry will do all kinds of wonderful things to keep your
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,
16 Things Should Absolutely Never See The Inside of a Clothes Dryer
In the same way that drying clothes outdoors on a clothesline has its limitations (weather, effort, community rules that forbid
How to Keep White Clothes Actually White (Yes, It’s Possible)
In the same way that there are rules in life for things like how to drive a car, how to
The Best DIY Carpet Stain Remover That Works Like Magic
Unlike some other homemade laundry stain and detergent products you'll find here at Everyday Cheapskate, this one is also a
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 ...
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
13 Reasons to Use Vinegar in 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: The Surprising Fix for Dingy Sheets, Gray Towels, and Sad-Looking Underwear
I can't recall a time when I was excited and at the same time embarrassed to tell you about something
DIY Wrinkle Release Spray That Beats Downy Cold
Unlike myself, not everyone I know loves to iron. I guess I’m crazy that way. There’s just something soothing, calming
13 Surprising Uses for Borax Around the House Safely
Recently this desperate message with a subject line Dishwasher Disaster! washed up in my inbox. I came this close to ignoring
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
How to Make Your Own Powdered Laundry Detergent
Store-bought laundry detergent can be pricey and full of chemicals you can’t even pronounce. But what if I told you
12 Laundry Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Years Ago
If you've ever suffered the heartbreak of stains, unbearable stink, or other kinds of annoying laundry issues—or just want to
7 Easy Ways to Make Your Jeans Last Much Longer
These days, jeans seem to rip and fall apart long before their time, a problem with simple solutions for how to
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
Using Too Much Detergent? Here’s the Right Amount
Many people use way too much detergent, leading to dingy clothes, skin irritation, and even a funky washing machine. The
How to Remove Sweat Stains and Save Your Favorite Clothes
Yellow armpit stains on white shirts are a problem if my inbox is any indication, which I believe it is.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine: Easy Steps for Top & Front Loaders
If you assume the inside of your washing machine is the cleanest place in your home because you put detergent
Here’s How to Keep White Laundry White & Bright Without Bleach
If you've ever sent perfectly functional household linens or clothing items to the rag bag simply because they turned a
How to Get Yellow Pillows White Again (It Really Works)
Favorite bed pillows get a lot of use every night. We keep clean pillowcases on them and don’t think much
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
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
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
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
How to Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes: The Ultimate Guide with Lestoil
Lestoil (“less toil”) Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner is a product that’s been around for at least a hundred years. Your
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.
Fabric Softener Is Wrecking Your Laundry. Here’s What Actually Works.
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
17 Genius Laundry Hacks and Tips for Cheaper, Better, and Faster Laundry Days
I love to do laundry. I’m crazy that way. Here are some of my favorite laundry tips that just might
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
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.
10 Brilliant Fixes for the Worst Laundry Disasters
Laundry disasters don’t discriminate. From mysteriously shrinking sweaters to stubborn armpit stains, it’s easy to feel like giving up. But
How to Get Rid of Mothball Smell in Fabric—For Good!
If you’ve ever tried washing mothball-scented fabric, you already know—it doesn’t just disappear. In fact, it might make things worse!
How to Wash a Down Comforter the Right Way at Home
If you’ve ever wondered if it's okay to wash your down comforter instead of taking it to the dry cleaners,
Can You Use Regular Detergent in an HE Washer Safely?
If you've ever wondered what's the difference between regular laundry detergents and those designated as "High Efficiency" or HE if
Soilove: The Best Budget-Friendly Stain Remover for Clothes
Finding the best stain remover for clothes can be a game-changer for your laundry routine. Enter Soilove, a budget-friendly and
How to Dry Clothes Without Damaging Them: Expert Tips & Tricks
See all that lint in your clothes dryer trap? Yikes! It's proof-positive your clothes and linens are wearing out prematurely
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
How to Get Smell Out of Towels: The 2-Wash Fix That Works
If my inbox is any indicator of what’s going on in the world, and I believe it is, smelly towels
Save Money with This Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent
Making your own laundry detergent might sound like a chore from another era, but it’s actually one of the easiest