Cheap & Green Fabric Softener

Winter always makes me sad.  One of my favorite things is hanging clothes on my clothesline.  In the Midwest, it gets tough to do when the wind is bitter and the snow is flying.  So, I switch to drying racks.

But they are not nearly as much fun.  I don't get the same feeling of relaxation.  It takes a couple of days to get the clothes dry, even with them sitting on the heat vents. 

So, for things like blankets and towels, I am often forced to use the dryer.  However, buying fabric softener  sheets is one of my least favorite things to spend money on.  When every dime matters, I really don't want to have the extra cost.

Occasionally I have bought the liquid.  I will mix it with water and throw in cut up sponges.  This works very well at keeping the clothes soft and static free.

Lately I have been trying to eliminate some chemicals.  As I am eating more naturally, less processed foods, I don't want to have strong chemicals in everything I clean with.

I stumbled on the aluminum foil ball trick online.  I have been using vinegar as a fabric softener for awhile.  It didn't seem to do much to control static for the few things I dry in the cold months.  I had ran out of my fabric softener and water mixture (you can only water down the fabric softener so much before it's watering down water).  So... I tried the aluminum foil balls.  

Yes, my husband thought I was nuts.  However, he's been through my years of playing mad scientist, making homemade products.  He just goes with the flow now.

Anyway, it worked as I had read.  While it doesn't soften clothes like my fabric softener sponges, the static was gone.  And it cost....Pennies?  Plus, I can reuse the aluminum balls for months.  (I say balls because my dryer is extra-large capacity...so I made two.)

If you are looking for a way to save some money, then give this a try.  After all, being a good steward of our resources, including our cash, is important.