DIY Laundry Projects

How To Make Wool Dryer Balls

How do they work?
Wool dryer balls are an eco-friendly way to reduce the time needed to dry laundry and also great for eliminating static in your clothes.   They bounce around in the dryer separating clothes, allowing more hot air to circulate through all the garments. As they tumble, the wool balls fluff your laundry, reduce wrinkles, and basically pummel the laundry to make it softer. 

What are the benefits of using wool balls in your dryer?

v They decrease drying time, saving you money on utility bills. (Especially helpful in the winter months!)
v  Commercial dryer sheets can be costly, and are thrown away after use. Wool dryer balls can be re-used for years, saving you hundreds of dollars.
v Wool dryer balls won’t affect the absorbency of your towels, kitchen cloths, or cloth diapers – commercial softeners will.

References:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK4M2LEhZbQ

http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls

How To Make Homemade Fabric Softener

Ingredients:

6 cups hot water

1.5 cups white vinegar

2 cups hair conditioner

Directions:

1. Mix water, vinegar, and hair conditioner in a 1 gallon container; stir. Do not shake it; it will cause foaming.

2. Use the same amount you normally use in a rinse cycle or spritz it on a wash cloth, hang dry and throw it in the dryer.

References:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz_1xjY14BY

How To Make Homemade Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

1 sunlight bar grated into a medium saucepan

4 cups hot tap water

1 cup Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

1 five gallon pail

Directions:

1.        Melt the Sunlight bar over medium heat while stirring the whole time.

2.        Dump it into a 5 gallon pail and add the Washing Soda and the Borax.  Stir well.

3.        Add hot water to the pail to come to a few inches to the top of the pail.

4.        Stir well. 

5.        Let sit overnight and give it a good stir.  It will jell a bit.

6.        Fill empty laundry soap containers. 

7.        For front load washers use 1/4 cup.

8.        For top load washers use 1/2 cup.

You will need to experiment with your loads.  Dirty loads need more detergent than light loads.

You will need to experiment with your loads.  Dirty loads need more detergent than light loads.

Reference:

http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2010/08/homemade-laundry-soap.html