Comments on: Should This Post Have Been Labeled PSYCHIC Shopper?

By: nil zed

nil zed — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:48:56 +0000

When you’ve been used to line drying with no fabric softener because of the greasy feel, then the softness supplied by tumble drying is pretty impressive! However, the static electricity build up was pretty impressive too, so I got the cheapest unscented dryer sheets and cut them in half.

NOW, I live in the UK, and have a weird machine that both washes and dries the clothes. I have gone back to hanging laundry out to dry, but, that whole stereotype about it raining quite often is very true, meaning sometimes, I do have to use the dryer function. Dryer sheets can’t go through the wash first, so, I dilute the fabric softener by 3/4. Works for Me.

By: CreditBoy

CreditBoy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:09:28 +0000

)) so buying dryer sheets more profitable than bank deposit ))

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:39:57 +0000

In fourths? HAH! I cut mine to infinity, and my clothes smell great. NYAH NYAH NYAH!!!!

By: K

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:26:58 +0000

Ditto on cutting them in half. It has been working fine for me on full loads. I also save them if they still feel a little ‘firm’ and reuse a couple of used ones for the next load. Once those are done they get shoved into an empty paper towel roll and I use them to clean in the kitchen then toss.

I tried using vinegar and it just didn’t work for me. Perhaps if you only owned cotton items. It does nothing for the static in synthetic fibers.

Next I want to try where you dilute liquid fabric softener with water, saturate and then ring out a washcloth and put it in like a dryer sheet.

And I never put fabric softener sheets or otherwise in a load of towels.

The fab softener sheets have also been down-sized over the years. I have some older used sheets that I had ironed and used for interfacing on sewn crafts. The sheets were much sturdier and much larger than they are now and I used to be able to use a sheet for several loads.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:59:12 +0000

Great job!! I’m glad to see that I’m not the only person that does this, although since I signed up at the GroceryGame I think my stockpiling may have gotten worse. We’ve currently got enough razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc, etc to last until the second quarter of next year I think. All for half off or more. It’s addictive.

By: Christina @ Northern Cheapskate

Christina @ Northern Cheapskate — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:09:14 +0000

I cut my dryer sheets into FOURTHs and they work just fine!! I can make a whole box last a year that way!

I love that you nailed the timeline exactly… that’s a great skill!

By: Amphritrite

Amphritrite — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:11:57 +0000

Paige is right; my mother did this for years to save money on laundry. Another quick fix is to make your own! Centsible Shopper has a good recipe: http://centsibleshopper.blogspot.com/2008/03/make-it-yourself-monday-fabric-softener.html <– It’s good for that leftover conditioner

By: Paige

Paige — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:21:59 +0000

If you feel that you need to use the dryer sheets, you could cut them in half- they seem to work just as well.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:26:55 +0000

Imagine how much I have saved over the years by NOT EVER buying dryer sheets. We just don’t use them – don’t like to go around smelling like ‘eau de downy’.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:25:28 +0000

Hello, longtime reader, first time commenter.

I’d be interested in finding out if, given the price inflation, if you went out and got another year or two’s worth of dryer sheets. I mean, since the price has increased markedly in a relatively short time, would it not be time now to consider whether using dryer sheets is even necessary? Perhaps you could even consider making your own dryer sheets or using something less chemical-laden like scented vinegar?

Anyway, just some thoughts. Thanks for all the good work!