Frugal Laundry Tips to Help You Save Money & Go Green!

You’re going to love this collection of frugal laundry tips to help you save money and go green! Because let’s face it. Laundry products can be expensive. This is especially true when you’re skin can’t handle the cheaper, synthetic and highly fragranced detergents and fabric softeners. So how can you save money and go green with naturally derived laundry products?

Keep reading to learn how to get my favorite green laundry solution for yourself absolutely free! Plus discover 12+ of my favorite frugal laundry tips including how to make your own 3-ingredient, all natural linen spray.

Why I decided to go green.

I had super sensitive skin growing up. As a result my mother would rinse our family’s laundry twice. She wanted to be sure we wouldn’t have a reaction to the combination of laundry detergent, bleach and fabric softener she used.

As a Gen-Xer, unscented laundry products were mostly unheard of when I was growing up. We used the staple laundry products – Tide laundry detergent, Clorox bleach and Downy fabric softener. Even with a second rinse, I still remember having very itchy skin.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still in LOVE with the smell of original Downy fabric softener to this day. Unfortunately my skin hates it. As for dryer sheets? Well, they’d make my brother and I break out in hives. Looking back on how we used to wash and dry laundry, I’m a little bit terrified by the ingredients and synthetic fragrances that were used.

I’ve since switched to more naturally derived laundry products like Method’s Free + Clear Laundry Detergent Packs. These laundry packs are not only hypoallergenic, they also contain tough stain fighters to tackle life’s unexpected spills and splatters, all while keeping colors and whites bright. And I love that they’re both biodegradable and effective even in cold water.

However, as I’m currently on a budget, I’m trying to cut as many unnecessary products from my life as possible. That includes paper towels and, of course, fabric softener. Both of these products are easily replaced with reusable, eco-friendly options.

Discover my collection of frugal laundry tips and green cleaning solutions below.

Green Friendly, Frugal Laundry Tips

This leads to the revelation of my favorite frugal laundry product. What is it? Wool dryer balls.

I first learned of wool dryer balls many years ago, but was always hesitant to give them a try. When I finally decided to bite the bullet and give them a try, I was sold.

Wool dryer balls can seem expensive at first. Especially if you’re using the store brand box of $1.99 dryer sheets. However if you use fabric softener or dryer sheets on a regular basis, wool dryer balls quickly pay for themselves in just a few shopping trips.

So what are some of the other perks of tossing your fabric softener and dryer sheets for good? Wool dryer balls not only help your clothing dry faster, therefore using less energy, but they effectively tackle static. They can also easily be scented, if desired, with your favorite natural essential oils and won’t irritate sensitive skin. Good for about 1000 uses, wool dryer balls also cut down on waste.

Lately I’ve been using the new Grove Wool Dryer Balls. They run around $16 for a set of three. However, you can grab a free set of wool dryer balls from Grove for a limited time, while supplies last. Not only will you receive a free set of Grove wood dryer balls, you’ll also get a free package of (my favorite!) Method free + clear laundry packs along with free shipping and 60 day VIP trial with your first order of $20 from Grove Collaborative.

(If you’re already a Grove customer, you’ll receive free Grove walnut scrubber sponges with your next order. They’re perfect for wiping down your laundry room sink, and the soft side is great at erasing grass stains from sneakers before you toss them in the wash!)

More eco-friendly, frugal laundry tips that are perfect for summer.

Following are a few more great frugal laundry tips to help you go green and save money this summer. There’s even a quick and easy 3-ingredient recipe for making your own natural linen spray!

• The lazy days of summer are here, so I appreciate anything that makes my life easier. Laundry packs are truly effortless — no drips, no spills, no measuring. Toss a few in your suitcase for doing laundry on summer road trips instead of lugging around a bottle of detergent.
• Soaking clothes overnight can help loosen grass stains and popsicle drips. Simply fill your washing machine with water, add your detergent and clothes, and let everything soak overnight while you sleep. In the morning, hit “start” and say goodbye to stains. (I also love Seventh Generation’s Natural Stain Remover Spray. It not only works miracles on my laundry, it’s also a great choice when deciding what to buy for your first Grove order.)
• White-on-white looks great with a tan — not so good with deodorant and sunblock stains. Chlorine-free bleach is a great way to keep whites fresh without the “bleachy” smell.
• Take advantage of breezy days and line dry your laundry. Instead of rushing, savor the small moments: the feel of sunshine on your face, the sight of laundry flapping in the breeze, and the smell of sun-dried clothing.
• For those items that still need to go in the dryer, using wool dryer balls can cut down on waste (no more dryer sheets!), make your laundry softer, and speed up drying time. Your clothes and your energy bill will thank you!
• Customize a laundry scent that will make you smile every time you get a whiff of your clothing. Just pick your favorite essential oil and apply a few dabs to your wool dryer balls for a fresh load of laundry.

• Mix up your own natural linen spray by combining 1 oz. witch hazel with 10 drops of your favorite Grove essential oil and 3 oz. of water in a spray bottle. Spritz onto freshly laundered sheets, towels, and clothing.
• If you don’t have an HE washing machine, skip the small laundry loads. Instead wait until you have a large load before doing laundry. This will not only save money and water, but it also means less wear and tear on your washing machine.
• Washing your clothing in cold water saves energy and cuts down on your electric bill. You can get most of your family’s laundry clean without using any hot water. And because Method’s laundry packs work in cold water, you never have to worry about your laundry detergent getting the job done.
• Be sure to clean out your lint trap after drying every load of clothes. A clogged lint trap or vent lowers the efficiency of your dryer and can also create a fire hazard.
• Clean out your washer in regular intervals. All washers, not just newer HE washer, can develop odor over time that can transfer to your clothes. Rather than using chlorine bleach to clean your washer, try vinegar instead. Or give Real Simple Clean’s green friendly washing machine cleaner & deodorizer a try!
• Do less laundry. Jeans are designed to be worn multiple times before being washed. So you can hold off on washing jeans until after they’ve been worn a few times. However, if your jeans start to smell sooner than you’d like, simply freeze them before wearing them the next time to tackle odors caused by bacteria from skin. (Seriously.)
• Make your own homemade laundry detergent for a frugal, eco-friendly approach to cleaning. Discover a simple laundry detergent recipe here. Or make your own natural laundry & stain remover soap with this soapmaking tutorial.
• Never run out of detergent again! Grove Collaborative delivers all your favorite natural household and personal care products to your doorstep, on your schedule. Once you’ve submitted your first order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, you’ll get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. Sign up here now.

For more eco-friendly cleaning solutions, be sure to check out my Eco-Friendly Homemaking Ideas on Pinterest as well as my Lifestyle + Living board.

Do you have any green-friendly, frugal laundry tips that have helped you save money? I’d love to hear your own tried and true ideas. Simply share your eco-friendly laundry tips and tricks in the comments!

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