Want to start saving some money on your laundry? Then get ready for today’s two-part Dryer Challenge. This week’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to implement safe fabric softeners and reduce the amount of energy used when drying your clothes. Ready to get started?
Fabric softeners
This week we’ve talked about the health ratings of fabric softeners and how to bypass fabric softeners altogether by making your own felted wool dryer balls. If you completed last week’s laundry challenge, you should already know how safe – or unsafe – your laundry products are, including your fabric softeners.
If you’re ready to ditch liquid softener or dryer sheets, then find some wool yarn, wool roving, or get ready to recycle a wool sweater. Find 30 minutes to create your dyer balls, then wash and dry them with your laundry.
Use the wool dryer balls in your dryer to reduce wrinkles and dry time.
De-linting the dryer
The best way to save energy and money on your electric and/or gas bill is to clean your dryer. There are three cleaning tasks to remember:
1. Every load – Clean out the dryer’s lint trap.
2. Every three to six months – Wash the dryer’s lint trap. Once you’ve removed the lint, simply wash with mild soap and warm water.
3. Every year – Clean out the dryer’s exhaust duct. Even if you clean the lint trap after every load of laundry, lint still will accumulate in the exhaust duct. Removing the trapped lint with a cleaning brush will help increase energy efficiency, reduce drying time, and prevent a potential fire.
If you’re really feeling green, add all of that dryer lint to your compost pile – it’s completely compostable.
Talk back
How did your Dryer Challenge go? Please let me know by commenting below. Or, share your experience on Facebook.
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Today I’m linking up with:
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