Urban Blog

There are so many choices of detergents, softeners, bleaches and more that it can leave you feeling confused about which products will best serve your unique laundry needs.  There are also many tips and tricks out there that promise to give you the sweet-smelling, bright white and softer laundry that we all want.  The laundry product manufacturers keep putting out “new and improved” solutions and we keep buying them. Maybe there is an easier, and more affordable way…

We are all probably guilty of thinking that adding more detergent to the wash will mean cleaner clothes.  While adding dish soap means more suds, adding extra laundry detergent can actually make things worse. Too much soap can wear out your clothes faster and it can also make your washing machine have to work harder which means a shorter life.  Here is a trick to knowing if you are overdoing it on the soap: check your lint trap.  There is a direct correlation between the amount of soap and the amount of lint.  If you are removing lint after every load then try reducing the amount of detergent you are using and you should see an immediate reduction in lint.

Have you noticed how some of our clothes can look washed out or dull?  Oftentimes the culprit is a hard water issue.  If you are like most of us you will throw all your colors and whites into one load now and then.  Unfortunately, the result can be dingy and drab looking laundry. The best brightening agent that we have found is common table salt.  It does not take much, just a big pinch in the wash water with your detergent, making sure to dissolve it as much as possible before adding your clothes, and the difference in the brightness of your colors will amaze you.

How many times have you purchased a fabric softener only to find the scent overpowering or not at all what you were hoping for?  Sometimes a great coupon will mean the difference between brand A and brand B in our house but that can mean some clothes feel less soft than others. The secret to perfectly soft clothes, with less static and for much less money is the humble, but oh so powerful, white vinegar.  Really.  Just a cup in the wash water (no waiting for the rinse cycle) will give you fabulous results.  It also reduces fading in darker clothing.

So, once you have achieved laundry nirvana, it is time to find the perfect clothesline which is another money saving laundry solution.  We all know the amount of energy required to power that dryer so it is only logical that we practice “dryerless” days as often as we can.  Here at Urban Clotheslines the choices of clotheslines are many and you are sure to find the perfect one for your unique space and situation. From rotary styles to retractable lines and from wall-mounted systems to indoor racks of all sizes, you will find the perfect solution to your indoor or outdoor drying needs. &nbs p;We would love to discuss the perfect clothesline for you so please contact us for more information.