Laundry Week- Fabric Dryer Sheets

Fabric Dryer Sheets

These little babies are awesome
Everyone uses dryer sheets right? But they can get pretty pricey since you throw them away after every load or two in the dryer. (some people use two in a large load).


So, here is the eco-friendly and pocket-friendly version of the dryer sheet.  




The first step is to get some scrap flannel. I had some laying around. The best part about these is that you can make them any shape or size. Don't think square just because that is what is used currently. Rectangles work just as well.  I cut out 8 x 8 squares and was able to get a lot out of my fabric. 


There are two ways to make these. The first is to sew all the way around the square, and then use pinking shears to cut all the way around. Done.  The second way is to cut out two of the same size sheets, sew them right sides together, turn and to sew them closed. Done.

Easy right?  But now how do you use it?

This is the method that I am currently using. I made a Fabric Dryer Solution Concoction. :D  I mixed equal parts of fabric softener and water and put it into a spray bottle.  I spray 3-4 sprays on a dryer sheet and throw it in with my load.  The ones that I use are bright and cheery and easy to find in the dryer.  

Here is another solution.  Pour Fabric softener into a dish.

Dip the dryer sheets completely in the fabric softener.  Wring out any excess

Make a make-shift clothesline in the kitchen at midnight and hang to dry. I let mine dry overnight.

These fabric dryer sheets will last about 20-30 dryer loads before you need to refresh them with more fabric softener.


Tomorrow I will announce the winner of the Stain be gone giveaway.


Make sure to enter both of our current giveaways here and here. 


To end the week we will give you some laundry tips that we have collected from readers. Hope you have enjoyed Laundry Week as much as we have!

Dryer Sheet Giveaway!!!!

Another laundry themed giveaway.  Three homemade dryer sheets!  Made from flannel, there are two squares and one rectangle.  The fabric is bright and distinctive, making it easier for you to find it and sort it from your clothes.  Also included with these sheets is a spray bottle half full of fabric softener.  Simply add water, spray on your dryer sheets, and use!

I use these, and I love them.  I wash them every so often, so they don't cake on softener.  It's a great alternative to buying dryer sheets you have to throw away!

To enter:
1. Leave a comment that you are a follower of our blog for one entry.
2. Blog about this post, or tweet of FB about it, and leave a comment and link, for one entry.
3. Leave a comment on any of the other of this weeks laundry posts for additional entries
4. Leave a laundry tip comment for others to read, and that counts as another entry!
*Giveaway will close Monday 12pm PST.  The winner will be randomly chosen from random.org, and announced Tuesday morning.*
Good luck to everyone!  It's been great so far to read all your tips and tricks!!!

Laundry Week - Homemade Wool Dryer Balls

Here is an easy tutorial to make your own homemade wool dryer balls. These are great to throw in your dryer because they help dry your clothes faster by lifting and separating them, and they decrease the amount of static electricity!

The first step is to buy 100% Wool Yarn

Start by looping the yarn around two fingers for 5 or 6 turns

Pull it off your fingers and pinch it together so it doesnt unravel. Then wrap the yarn around going the opposite way to keep it together.

From here you will need to start your ball forming.  Pinch it and wrap it to start to form a small ball. Continue to wrap around until your ball starts to take form and gets larger.

Continue to wind the ball. You will need to wrap it tight so that it won't fall apart in the wash (like one of my did -- horrible mess).  I made mine to about 2 or 3 inches in diameter. I made 4 of these size balls out of the yarn that I bought.

Once you have finished wrapping and have a good size, then you will need to "tie it off" so to speak.  Take a crochet hook and push it through the ball as far as it will let you, and pull the string into the middle of the dryer ball

You will then need to felt your dryer balls.  Stick them into a nylon or pantyhose leg and tie them off in between.

Run them through the washer and the dryer with a load.  Then, pop them out of the nylon sock and they are ready to use. I use 3 of my balls in a dryer load and then just keep them in the dryer in between the loads that I am doing.  They work great and they really help to save energy and time!  They could replace dryer sheets!

Homemade Laundry Soap part 2

Don't forget to enter the giveaway here and we have added a way to enter: Any comment that you leave on any of our Laundry Week posts will give you an extra entry into the giveaways this week!

Here is another "recipe" for homemade laundry soap. It is easy to make and SUPER cost effective.  Just like the powdered, you will need to buy a laundry soap bar. My local walmart has Zote. My local Food 4 less has Zote and another.  My 99 cent store has 5 or 6 diferent scents. I bought another one from here and I will make a different "flavor" next time.

The items you will need:

 

Borax: $2.99 at Wal-Mart

Zote: $.99 at Wal-Mart

Super WASHING Soda: $3.50 at Ace Hardware (call around to your local grocery store, ace hardware, or walmart to see who has this BEFORE you go searching. There isnt always a market for it).

Grate the laundry soap.  You could also throw it in your food processor.

Put 5 cups of hot water onto a pot on the stove. Add your grated soap

Melt all of the soap and keep stirring it.

Grab a bucket. I used my old Laundry bucket

Add 3 gallons of HOT tap water. I used an old milk jug to get easy measurements.

Add 1 cup washing soda and 3/4 cups borax to the hot water and stir.  All of the recipes out there have had different amounts of washing soda and borax to water ratio. Find what works for your and your loads!

Mix in the melted laundry bar and water from the stove.  I added maye 3 or 4 cups of water afterwards and I had a full bucket.  Let sit overnight. It will be goopy, kind of thick:

I have my old measuring scoop from the bucket and throw in two of the 4 oz measuring scoops. I like the way that my laundry feels and smells now. The clothes get clean and its great.  Let Tiffany or I know if you have any questions about making your own soap!

Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent

Morning Kiddos!

It's laundry week! I know most of you aren't excited by the prospect of laundry (who is?) but I'm excited about this week!  I love getting new tips of better, quicker, greener, cheaper ways to do laundry!

I tried this new "recipe" for Powdered Laundry Detergent.  I think it works really well.  It was super easy, super quick, and will last a long time.  So, if you want to make your own..keep reading!!



Here are your ingredients and equipment: Food processor, Borax, Baking soda (yes, baking soda not washing soda for this), Ivory soap (you could also use Zote, homemade soap, or other old fashioned soap) and Oxi Clean.

You will need:
1 cup soap (about 2 Ivory bars)
1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/4 cup Oxi Clean
(you can vary this recipe to how you like it, and what you think works best for your laundry needs)

Step one: Grate your bars of soap.

Step two: Put your chopping blade in and chop the soap finely.

(Looks like cottage cheese right? But it's not.  So don't eat it. :o )

Step three: Mix your soap with your other ingredients.

Step Four: Put 1 Tbsp for a regular load or 2 Tbsp in a very dirty load.  

A few tips : Washing in cold water DOESN'T work, because the soap doesn't dissolved.  I learned this the hard way and had to rewash a load.  Oops.  

Also, make sure you put the soap and let the water fill the washer before you put your clothes in.

End result - cheaper laundry detergent.  I think it works really well, I've been using it for about a week now, and with a baby in the house, you know there can be some nasty dirty clothes in your piles!  All the mushed bananas and crackers have come out, and the laundry always smells fresh!  I hope this inspires you to try this recipe, or another homemade recipe.  You won't regret it!

Stains? GIVEAWAY with Stain be Gone - CLOSED

Have you ever been busy, not separated the laundry, and then realize that your new red shirt just turned everything a slight pink color?  Two lucky readers will be able to combat dye stains with Stain Be Gone.  This little sheets get tossed into the washer with your new red shirt, and grabs the red dye that floats around trying to attach itself to your very adorable white jeans.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Leave a comment on this post with a Laundry Tip, secret, or simplifying technique

2. Follow HoneyBeeBzz and let us know you do

3. Spread the word about Laundry Week: Facebook, Blog, and/or Twitter about it and let us know

Each thing you do can count for one entry.  Leave a separate comment for each thing you do. (one entry for tweeting, one for blogging, etc.) 

This giveaway will be closing on Friday April 30th at Midnight so be sure to enter! 

Get the Buzz on Laundry Week

Welcome to:

Laundry Week

This week we have some really exciting things going on.  We have tutorials, money saving tips, giveaways, and great Laundry ideas!  We ALL do laundry. Never Ending! Hopefully you will enjoy this week as much as we are going to because it is going to be great! So sit back, grab a notepad to take notes, and enjoy it as we air out all of our laundry.

To start off this great week, we are taking you into the life of Shelley from House of Smiths

This past week she was on her local morning show to talk about "Ways to freshen up your Laundry Room"

Here is the wonderful segment about Shelley's Laundry Room

Okay, I am only linking up to her blog post that has the video because after 15 minutes (or as my boss would say-- literally an hour) of trying to cop the embed video into my html post, it wouldnt work. Maybe I need to practice with adding videos to my blog. Forgive!

Here are some of her tutorials for great laundry room decor and ideas:

Ironing Board Hanger

Missing Socks "Wanted" Board

So now that you have some great ideas to make your Laundry Space a little more cheerful, let's get to the rest of the week to make doing the laundry easier!

Prom?

After helping my brother by decorating a box of Goldfish, I was excited to see if he asked her today or if he was going to wait till the end of the week. He asked. She said yes. I jumped up and down.

Wordless Wednesday- Helping a brother out.

Upcoming- Laundry Week

(picture from http://www.boomerangguesthouse.com/facilities.php?dept=7&alt_style)

Next week, starting Monday April 26th, we are going to have a Laundry Week.  We have a lot in mind that we think you will love! Tutorials, Giveaways, Guest Posts!  Come check us out! 

Everyone does Laundry, might as well spice it up a bit!

We would like to add more giveaways and/or guest posters to participate.  If you would like to contribue to Laundry week, please email Melissa and Tiffany at honeybeebzz@gmail.com

We would also ask everyone for a big help by asking you to spread the word about Laundry Week. 

~Melissa and Tiffany

I love mail!!!

So - my package from Joann's finally arrived this weekend!!!  I now have a lot of clips, and can whip out more suspenders!  I will make sure and take a lot of pictures and try and make a tutorial for you, my lovely readers.
Don't you just love mail with goodies in it?!? :D

Tie Onsie

So - I made this this weekend for the little one!

  Isn't he a doll?  I used the tutorial from HERE if you are interested.  It was seriously a 10 minute project!  I think I will make another soon, but make a bigger "knot" at the top.  Here is a before and after.

And here is another of my son on his new monkey bean bag chair.  What a ham, eh?? :D

See's anyone?

So, I have to pick a new winner becuase we havent heard at all yet from anyone. So from random.org, our new winner is:

katie.floyd

Congrats Katie!  I know you will respond :) so just email me your address and you will be in mini chocolate heaven in a bit.

Baby Food - Cooked Apples

So - I recently bought chunked apple baby food - the stage 3 I believe it was.  Everett loved it.  Then I thought, why am I buying this?  I can cook apples!  It was apples in white grape juice concentrate.

So...I decided I would attempt it!  I didn't have white grape juice, so I used cranberry apple juice concentrate.  (Yes, it did turn pink.  Weird, but delicious!)

All I did was peel 4 Granny Smith apples, cube them, and put them in a saucepan with about 1/4 cup of water, and 6 Tbsp. of thawed cranberry apple concentrate.  I let the apples cook for a bit, and when they were soft, done!  Some of them were too small and turned to mush.  You do not want this stage, unless you want applesauce :(  So, hopefully, if you have kiddos and need a meal, you can use this and make something yummy! And learn from my mistake, and don't let them cook to mush! :D