I just received my electric bill and OUCH! It had jumped way up from where it was last month.  I’ve already turned down the thermostat a notch or two (as I sit here with a sweater and blanket writing this article). So now I’m finding other little ways to lower the heating bill and save money too.

According to the US Department of Energy, about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating water. To cut your energy use and save money, use cold water for everyday washing and reserve hot water for loads with oily stains. The Department of  Energy has dozens of other energy-saving tips for the laundry room.

Did you know that every load of laundry that you wash in cold water saves 25 cents? Now that doesn’t sound like much until you do some simple math.  I have a family of five, so let’s use my family as an example.

After reading about all the toxic chemicals that are added to commercial laundry detergent, I began making my own homemade version.  This is the recipe that I’ve used with great success.  It’s easy to make, has no harmful chemical additives, inexpensive, and leaves my clothes fresh and clean.

You can easily make your own homemade laundry detergent using a few simple ingredients – soap, borax and washing soda. This recipe makes almost 2 gallons, and depending on the soap you use, for well under $1.00. This recipe makes enough for around 65 loads of laundry.

Ready to trade your over-priced and chemical-laden dishwasher detergent for something better? Then, try this simple recipe for homemade detergent. I have made many batches of this myself. It’s easy to make, saves so much money, cleans very well, and leaves no residue on the dishes.

You can get both of these ingredients at most local grocery stores in the laundry aisle.

Not only is this recipe frugal, it is good for the environment by being a green product and avoiding the chemical-laden store brands.  Why flush harsh chemicals into our water treatment system where it ends back in our tap water.