Simple DIY Dryer Sheet Sponges

I love the smell of freshly cleaned laundry.  Whether dried on the line, or in my machine - there is the scent of one particular type of fabric softener which I can't get enough of.  (Oddly, it's the brand which actually advertises that people will become addicted to the scent.  Score one for truth in advertising.) 

I have to admit though - there is also a part of me that cringes at the cost of dryer sheets when it's a use it once and throw it away item.  (That would be the cheapskate side of me.

But no more!  I have finally figured out a way to DIY my own dryer sheets!  OK... they're not exactly sheets.  They're sponges.  But it works the same way as a sheet. 

It uses liquid fabric softener, and stretches it out with water.  Saving me money. And if (unlike myself) you are happy with an inexpensive brand of liquid fabric softener, rather than being picky about using one particular name brand - even better! 

You will need:

    

• Liquid fabric softener of your choice
• Water
• A plastic container with a lid (I used an old one which was headed for the donate pile as part of my recent decluttering)
• Ordinary cleaning sponges

To Prepare Fabric Softener Sheet Sponges:

1.  Mix equal parts liquid fabric softener and water.  The amount you use will depend on the size of your plastic container and the number of sponges you have.  I used 2 cups of each, which might have been a tad bit much.

2.  Place sponges into plastic container.

3.  Pour fabric softener/water mixture over sponges.

4.  Cover plastic container with lid.  Allow sponges to absorb as much liquid as they will hold.

Store until ready to use

To Use Dryer Sheet Sponges:  Remove one sponge.  Squeeze out excess liquid into plastic container.  Toss sponge into dryer with wet laundry.   When you remove the clothes from the dryer, the sponge will be dry also.  Just pop it back into the plastic container to absorb more liquid for the next use!

After trying these on every type of laundry, except delicates - I have been very happy so far. 

And my wastebasket is no longer overflowing with used dryer sheets!  Yah! 

Now, if I could just find a solution for all that lint...

Saving Money and Reducing Waste

I never considered myself one of those people who would make the switch from paper to cloth napkins.  Cloth napkins were for special occasions and restaurants - not every day use.  Right?  Right! 

That is, until I recently started thinking about all the trash we dispose of over the course of a week.  And how much we spend on all those cloth napkins over the weeks, months, and years.  YIKES!  Suddenly, cloth napkins seemed not only doable - but quite reasonable. 

I found a good deal on some nice simple white napkins through Amazon.  Which will pay for themselves pretty quickly, considering the cost of paper napkins!

I keep a few folded in the napkin holder on the table, where I used to keep paper napkins.  And now some also live in a little wooden box on the kitchen counter where I can grab one instead of always reaching for the paper towels.

I put a special little basket under the sink for the used napkins - which I take to the laundry room every other day or so when I do a load of whites. 

So far it's working out perfectly! Despite the male offspring constantly informing at first that "this is just a bad idea". 

Now, I'm thinking about "unpaper towels"...

Children's Catalogues: How to Save Money

There are a number of ways you can save money when shopping from children's catalogues.


1. Sign up to social media
Many catalogue brands have their own social media accounts where you find the latest company news and information. This is also a great way to save money; many catalogues post promotion codes and up-to-the-minute discounts that you can't find anyone else. From Facebook to Twitter, social media lets you bag a considerable bargain when shopping for children's clothes and toys, and you can redeem your code when you pay for your item.


2. Look for introductory offers
Signing up for a new credit account could save you lots of cash, especially when many retailers have introductory offers that entitle you to money off your first order or free delivery. Look for the catalogues that have the best introductory discounts and you could save a great deal of money.

3. Look for the best interest rates
When you apply for a catalogue credit account, you can spread the cost of your payments over time and make repayments in instalments. This can be a fantastic way to budget more effectively and control your finances. However, you will usually have to pay interest on your items. Use a price comparison website to find the catalogues that offer the lowest interest rates. Some catalogues, like Very, won't charge you any interest if you pay for your item by a certain date. These interest-free credit options let you choose from thousands of items and have your order delivered to your door.


4. Check clearance stock
Catalogue retailers often have a clearance section on their website with children's clothes and toys that have been heavily discounted. Some of these items might be old stock or have minor imperfections or defects. You could save money, however, and take home a product that's much cheaper than you would find elsewhere.



*This is a sponsored post.  Compensation was provided by www.approvedcatalogues.co.uk and the post contains links to their website. Opinions expressed here may not be those of  My Really Real Reality or the blog owner.

4 Tips for Saving Money When Online Shopping

Catalogues let you spread the cost of payments over time and you can have your items delivered directly to your door. But there is a whole heap of ways you can save money, too. Here are just some of them.

1. Sign up to loyalty schemes

You could get loyalty points for every purchase you make with an online catalogue. Not every retailer offers this service, but if they do, it can be a great way to save money. You can redeem your points on future purchases, so you could make a considerable saving. Head over to catalogue sites to find out more about their loyalty schemes. See here for a full list of catalogues with loyalty schemes.

2. Use a discount code

Discount codes are one of the most popular ways to save cash on your purchases. Use these codes when paying for your items on a catalogue website and you could make a considerable saving on the total cost of your order or delivery. There are a number of ways you can find these promotion codes. You may even receive a code when you sign up as a new customer for a credit account. Some retailers offer 20 or 30 percent off your first order, as well as free delivery.

3. Sign up to mailing lists

When you sign up to a company's mailing list, you could receive offers and promotions in your inbox on a regular basis, saving you a great deal of cash in the long run. You'll also be the first to hear about the latest company news and industry developments. You can always unsubscribe from an email list, but this could be a fantastic way to save money when shopping online.

4. Wait until the sales

Have you eye on something online? Waiting until the sales start could save you money. Many websites, including online catalogues, reduce their stock at particular times of the year, including in the run-up to Christmas and just after the New Year.






*This is a sponsored post.  Compensation was provided by catalogues247.co.uk and the post contains links to their website. Opinions expressed here may not be those of  My Really Real Reality or the blog owner.