*This is a repost. Check Biblical Womanhood for more frugal tips.
Have you ever visited a new town and thought to yourself, "The water here tastes funny and smells bad."? Well, we moved here almost 5 years ago and I'm still thinking that. Everyone we know who lives here has Culligan come to their house every month to service their water treatment system. Everyone who is not the most frugal family in town, that is.
I have read The Complete Tightwad Gazette from cover to cover. I had some spare time when I was in the hospital on bed rest for a month during a difficult pregnancy. If I ever saw Amy Dacyzn in the drive through at McDonald's, it would be that moment of realizing my guru had fallen from her pedestal. *shudder* You know, like when you find out that "child raising expert" you idolize has kids who torture small animals for fun. I have been known to call my husband at work to report that I just fed the kids lunch for under 10 cents each. I have saved my receipt for weeks, just to admire it, when a local grocery store went out of business and marked everything down 98% to get rid of it. (I filled up my pantry for $2.72!) I'm just saying... I'm a frugal zealot!
Are you wondering what all of this has to do with fabric softener? Well, I normally wouldn't spend extra money just for fragrance sake, but we have extenuating circumstances, you see. Our water staaanks! If the clothes go through the wash cycle with only detergent, they have that smell. Of course, I won't pay good money for name brand fabric softener, but something's gotta give. Thus, I have come up with Connie's Frugal Fabric Softener. I buy the generic bottle of liquid fabric softener. At home, I pour out half and save it for later. Then I fill up the half filled bottle with vinegar. Vinegar is a great rinse agent, especially for hard water. It also neutralizes odors and is an all around general purpose, multi-use good guy. Not to mention, it's cheap! I put my frugal fabric softener in a "Downy Ball" and toss it in every time I put in a load of laundry. It works great! I can also splash a little on a rag and toss it in the dryer if I feel like it. Now my laundry doesn't smell like wet sneakers at a water treatment plant in a low lying swamp.
Have you ever visited a new town and thought to yourself, "The water here tastes funny and smells bad."? Well, we moved here almost 5 years ago and I'm still thinking that. Everyone we know who lives here has Culligan come to their house every month to service their water treatment system. Everyone who is not the most frugal family in town, that is.
I have read The Complete Tightwad Gazette from cover to cover. I had some spare time when I was in the hospital on bed rest for a month during a difficult pregnancy. If I ever saw Amy Dacyzn in the drive through at McDonald's, it would be that moment of realizing my guru had fallen from her pedestal. *shudder* You know, like when you find out that "child raising expert" you idolize has kids who torture small animals for fun. I have been known to call my husband at work to report that I just fed the kids lunch for under 10 cents each. I have saved my receipt for weeks, just to admire it, when a local grocery store went out of business and marked everything down 98% to get rid of it. (I filled up my pantry for $2.72!) I'm just saying... I'm a frugal zealot!
Are you wondering what all of this has to do with fabric softener? Well, I normally wouldn't spend extra money just for fragrance sake, but we have extenuating circumstances, you see. Our water staaanks! If the clothes go through the wash cycle with only detergent, they have that smell. Of course, I won't pay good money for name brand fabric softener, but something's gotta give. Thus, I have come up with Connie's Frugal Fabric Softener. I buy the generic bottle of liquid fabric softener. At home, I pour out half and save it for later. Then I fill up the half filled bottle with vinegar. Vinegar is a great rinse agent, especially for hard water. It also neutralizes odors and is an all around general purpose, multi-use good guy. Not to mention, it's cheap! I put my frugal fabric softener in a "Downy Ball" and toss it in every time I put in a load of laundry. It works great! I can also splash a little on a rag and toss it in the dryer if I feel like it. Now my laundry doesn't smell like wet sneakers at a water treatment plant in a low lying swamp.
4 comments:
Great Frugal Friday. Right now I don't use any softner because we do have a water treatment system. (That my Dad gave me when they sold their home.) But even with that the clothes don't come out nearly as soft if I were to use a softener. I'll have try this sometime. Thanks! :)
Hi there! I just discovered your blog through a link at Rocks In My Dryer via My Home Sweet Home. Very nice little blog and I love that you and your daughter do it together. :-)
I'm glad you've found a way to neutralize your water odors **wet sneakers at a water treatment plant in a low lying swamp** doesn't sound too appealing!
I don't use fabric softeners, thankfully I don't need to, but we do make our own laundry detergent, which is very frugal and a lot of fun!
Your post made me laugh! My Hubby bought me an autographed copy of The Tightwad Gazette II for my Birthday on year. Whenever I am feeling a little deprived I read it for inspiration : )
Lela- www.xanga.com/LMCS79
Hey Connie - our water STANKS too. :)
Yuck. It is so frustrating - because the clothes don't even smell like I washed them! Arghh!
I'll try your idea!
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