There are so many great ways to save money and cut costs on laundry.
One simple way is to cut your dryer sheets in half….
Now I know several of you are already doing this little trick, but for those of you that aren’t… give it a try and see what you think!
It just takes a minute to cut them in half, and the box will last twice as long!
Once I’ve cut them, I just insert them back into the box, like this…
I’ve been doing this for many years, and love how long 1 box of dryer sheets can last.
I even sometimes use the half sheets twice! 
Other thrifty options are to use reusable dryer sheets or dryer balls.
Don’t forget… you can save even more $$ by making Homemade Laundry Detergent and Homemade Fabric Softener!
What are some of your favorite ways for saving money on laundry??
Leave a comment & share!
See Also:
Homemade Cleaner Recipes
Fun & Thrifty Craft Projects!
I use dryer balls, too. First I got the ones as seen on TV, and then I ordered some wool dryer balls on Etsy. They seem to work really well, and there are only a few loads that I still use dryer sheets for. 1/2 sheets would probably work just fine for that – just enough to cut the static.
I air dry clothes and we even have a line in the basement for the winter months.
We do laundry after 8 p.m. Our electric bill is typically $71-$77 per month.
what does drying after 8 pm have to do with your bill?
the rate they charge for electricity is cheaper at night!! i do laundry at night as well!!
I have a wooden drying rack I use in the winter, which holds a complete load of clothes. In the summer, I hang clothes outside. I use cold water in the washer, and I use only half as much fabric softener and dilute it with water which seems to work as well. Seldom use our dryer, unless I need something in a hurry or am washing sheets or blankets in the winter.
Thank you for all of these tips! I usually use liquid fabric softener and I hadn't thought about these tips. I appreciate them!
We started using dryer balls when we began using cloth diapers (which saves a TON of money). We now use them for all of our laundry as they separate the clothes which makes them dry faster. We also have an auto-moisture setting which automatically shuts the dryer off when the clothes are dry. Both methods save on electricity. We also use only half of the laundry detergent and liquid fabric softener as suggested by the manufacturer.
I also cut up my Brillo since I only use them once in a while and you really only need 1/4 of one to clean a pan. I cut the entire box up when I purchase them and a box can last me 6 months plus!
Joyce
Great idea! I have never thought of that as a way to make them last longer.
I add 1/4 c. white vinegar to the washer in a Downy ball and that does the job for me, for WAY cheaper than sheets.
I've also seen people use felted wool balls in place of the PVC version in the dryer. I'll have to give that a try.
what a great trick thanks for sharing
As for the dryer sheets that have already been used, I re-use them to pick up hair and dust from the bathroom floors. Works just like a Swiffer.
I was given a box of 200 dryer sheets and I have always tore them in half because that’s what my mom does. Two years later… I still have half of the box left!
I have been making my own laundry detergent for over two years now and I will never go back. It has saved my family of six a ton of money. I also make my own dryers sheets. I take a third of a bottle of your favorite fabric softner and pour it into an empty gallon jug. (cleaned milk jug works great!) Fill the rest of the way with tap water and shake. Pour some into a small open plastic container. Take two new (plain cheap) sponges and cut them in half. Place cut sponges in softner mix and then pull one out, ringing it slightly and add to your dryer. These work great and you can just keep using the sponges again and again. :>)
oh great tip…thanks a ton!
I made a mixture of 2 cups of cheep suave hair conditioner and 4 cups of water. Pour the conditioner in a pot on low heat add water and pour it into any container you can seal I used an old icecream bucket, I bought a pack of 6 sponges and cut them in half throw them in the bucket and when you need a dryer sheet wring out excess liquid from one sponge so it isn’t dripping wet when it goes in the dryer and you can re use these over and over and the liquid mixture will last a long time I have laundry for 7 people and it works great to save money.
I was having problems with my softner dispenser in my washer constantly clogging. I called the store where it was purchased, and they told me that most fabric softeners are too thick to use without diluting. So, I now pour half of my softner into the leftover bottle, and then I fill the remainder of each bottle with hot water and shake. Now it lasts twice as long.
I have a question about the homemade dryer sheets commented by Beth Feeny. Doesnt the liquid fabric softner get on the clothes during the drying process? It sounds like an awesome idea just wanting more info before I try it
I use an old washcloth: pour just a small amount of liquid fabric softener on it and toss it in the dryer. It works fantastic! It’s way more economical than adding the liquid to the washing machine.
I have used tennis balls in the dryer which end up costing less than the dryer balls that I originally got advertised on TV. They last longer too. My other dryer balls from TV only lasted about a year & they cracked open.
When you use the vinegar instead of fabric softner, I have a he machine,do you just put it in the softner dispenser? Or with the soap?
This is in answer to Karina’s Question. Yes, the diluted fabric softner gets on the clothes but it mostly evaporates as the clothes dry. I don’t use fabric softner in the wash, so the dryer is where it gets soft, static free and comes out fabulous. Because it is so diluted and you ring it before placing it in the dryer, not much gets on the clothes. I have been doing it for over two years and love it! Works great and for a fraction of the cost. Gotta love that! :>)
thank you much for all the helpful hints on dryer, and washer usage.
I like to clean my dryer filter off with a used dryer sheet, also wipe the TV screens and “presto no dust on the screen”. Thank you, very much,mary ann
thanks for the cost cutting tips !
I have cut the dryer sheets in half, also. It works just as good!
Also, a tip for your used dryer sheets: save them to soak dirty pots, baking pans, and dried-on food off of dishes. Just put one in a dirty, sticky pot and add warm water. Let it soak a little while, then use the sheet to scrub around inside of pot. the dried stuck on food comes right off! Try it…you’ll be amazed!
I think it’s amazing that a used dryer sheet can remove dried on foods from dishes/pans. I’ll have to try that one. I’ve diluted my fabric softener over the years as well. It is very cost effective. I also throw a “clean” small blanket into the dryer. This just helps speed up drying somehow. I read about it & then tried it. And, darned if it doesn’t work. These are all great ideas.
What kind of fabric is the small blanket? Cotton? Wool?
just a little note here: I use a cotton towel instead of a blanket. it really speeds the drying up imho.
I do not cut the dryer sheets in half but I do continue to use them several times over. They are good for a lot of loads before getting worn. I rarely buy dryer sheets.
We do do not use laundry soap, bleach or hot water for washing our laundry. We have a laundry Pure Unit! Check out this link to see results of a test done by Fox News 13, Tampa Bay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIU2hOm4uhY
I have purchased two different sets of dryer balls from the stores. The first was the “as seen on TV” pair, they have been working great. The second pair was from Target… while they do work great I have noticed that on they are leaving marks on my sheets. I would advise not using them on fabrics that are more delicate/prone to stretching.
I was wondering if anyone has a Receipe for HE laundry soap? We have a front load washer and the regular soaps suds too much and can damage it
. Thanks for any help
You can use the regular homemade laundry detergent recipes. The homemade stuff doesn’t sud as much (hardly at all, actually!) which is the problem with the store bought non-he stuff.
If you wash the dryer sheets, they work great at taking off nail polish. You could probably use them without washing, but I would rather be safe when applying polish. My manicurist does this and it is alot easier and faster!