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A note to readers of The Message Tree
As of October 2008, we are migrating The Message Tree to a new system to better serve you, our faithful readers. [ click here ]
This change will help us to make The Message Tree, once again, a favorite web site for those interested in the history, people, and place of the Ozarks. And soon we will resume posting of NEW articles and photos of your favorite places and stories from the region.
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Help
in the Laundry Room
10
Frugal Tips
by Cyndi
Roberts
Finding
bargains on clothing is one of the primary goals of
frugal living.
But,
making that clothing last and look good for as long
as possible is sometimes a real challenge, given
today's high prices on laundry products.
Here
are a few tips to help you keep your clothes
looking their best without spending a
fortune!
- Buy good quality. If you are
buying new clothing, it is especially important
to get the best quality you can afford. Poor
quality garments just won't last no matter how
carefully you care for them.
- Wash as directed on the
label. If it says wash in cold water, then be
sure you do. One sure way to ruin an article of
clothing is to use an improper cleaning
method.
- Wash everything you can in
cold water. Most experts say clothes get just as
clean in cold water as in warm or hot. For sure,
there will be less shrinkage. And if there's a
stain you didn't see and pre-treat, it won't be
set in by hot water and maybe you can still get
it out!
- Always rinse in cold water;
hot water sets wrinkles.
- Turn T-shirts and
sweatshirts inside out before washing. This will
cut down on the "pilling" on the fabric caused
by the clothes rubbing together during the wash
cycle.
- Hang those T-shirts and
sweatshirts to dry instead of throwing them in
the dryer. The decals or printing on the front
and back will stay looking nice much
longer.
- In fact, hang dry everything
you can. Especially if it's 100% cotton. Heat
sets wrinkles and shrinks cotton. Smooth the
garments out as you hang them, whether you're
hanging them directly on a hanger or on the
clothesline outdoors.
- If you accidentally leave a
load of clothes in your washer overnight and
they have that sour smell, just add about 1/2
cup white vinegar and run through a rinse cycle.
They'll smell sweet again!
- Here's a recipe for homemade
pre-treatment that will remove almost any stain:
mix equal parts of water, ammonia ( maybe lemon-
scented), Wisk and water. Put in a spray bottle
and keep it handy in your laundry room. Spray on
spots just like you would the expensive
kind!
- Instead of buying an
expensive specialty product for your fine
washables--try using a small amount of baby
shampoo. Works just as good!
But,
of all the things you wear, your expression is the
most important.
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Cyndi
Roberts' website, "1 Frugal Friend 2
Another" will show you ways to save money
everyday. Receive a free e-course on
saving money at the supermarket! To learn
more, visit http://www.cynroberts.com
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