Dirty Laundry, Final Chapter (maybe)

I hope you've been enjoying hearing about my dirty laundry. Today I just want to add a few more quick tips.

1) Have you seen those spiky rubber balls that are made to go in your dryer? Well, they really do come in handy when you don't have a full load. They fluff the clothes up and help keep them from getting as wrinkled as they normally would. They're probably available at a lot of places, but I've seen them at Walgreens. I bought mine a long time ago, and keep them in the dryer all the time.

2) The permanent press cycle on the washing machine uses a lot more water than the normal cycle. To save water, use the normal wash cycle for most everything.

3) Those dryer sheets are great, but they leave a film on the lint screen. In addition to cleaning the lint filter at least every wash day, you need to occasionally wash it with soapy water to remove the film. Dry thoroughly before placing it back into the dryer. Also, make sure your dryer is vented to the outside, not into the attic -- lint buildup in your attic is definitely a fire hazard.

4) Speaking of dryer sheets -- keep unused ones in a plastic baby wipe container to keep them fresh. The used ones are good for wiping the lint filter and any residue that falls off while you're cleaning it. New ones are good for placing in stored suitcases or trunks to help keep them from smelling musty. I've also heard they're good to wipe on yourself to repel mosquitoes, but I haven't been able to prove that. If you do know of a good mosquito repellant -- please let me know!!

5) I keep a little bucket of clothespins in the laundry room to hang things, but I also keep clean ones in the kitchen to clip things shut -- bags of chips, salad bags, frozen veggie bags, whatever.

6) Dear hubby was able to hang a rod in the small space over the top of our washer and dryer. The space is not large enough to hang clothes, but is perfect for storing the empty hangers. Are the hangers multiplying when you're not looking? Most dry cleaners will recycle them.

Well, there it is. The laundry's finally done and ready to put away. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that never STAYS done. *Sigh*