This week I cut two dozen green wipes and two dozen blue wipes from old sets of knit sheets. (Knit doesn’t ravel, so after cutting the squares it’s done–no sewing required.) We decided to color code the wipes per bathroom so we were sure to get the right number of wipes back to each room. Currently they all end up in the bathroom closest to the laundry room (#wearelazy) and the other rooms are out of luck. They are 9 inches square before shrinking. They could be smaller though if it fits better on whatever you are cutting them out of or the container they will be stored in.
(These were more of a turquoise blue but the camera got it all wrong. Interesting that the toilet and wall colors are very close to true life. We have a lot of spaces in this house that need attention, lol.)
A reader asked me last week if the cost of washing the wipes counteracted the savings from using them. That’s a great question and definitely worth looking at. I figure there are 4 costs to a load of laundry: detergent; water; electricity; and gas to heat the water (or for dryer).
There’s a handy calculator that allows you to plug in your rates and type of machine etc and estimate the cost of your laundry. I have a Fisher and Paykel high efficiency washer; use Arm and Hammer powdered detergent (cheap and works great–I don’t like homemade detergent–I used it for 6 months before I figured that out.); we have a gas water heater but electric dryer. I line dry in the summer.
When putting my info into the calculator I found that one load of laundry costs me $.21 to wash and $.50 to dry. I wash a load of wipes once a week. We definitely use more than $.70 worth of toilet paper per week, so the savings is worth it for me. The savings for cloth diapers is even greater and wipes and diapers can be washed in the same load for more savings. Too bad Grant is so huge and can’t wear our one size diapers anymore. Definitely time to potty train. The potty training is not going very well. I think I forgot how to do it.
Just for giggles here’s a calculator to compare whether buying appliances and washing at home or going to a laundromat is more affordable.
So anyhoo, even figuring in the cost of washing the wipes, I save about $18 a month on toilet paper. We have a big family so our savings is higher than average.
I don’t think I will ever need to save money this badly!
That’s what I was thinking Teresa!
We don’t do family cloth, but do cloth diapering and commend anyone going beyond that. Not only are you saving money, you are helping the environment 🙂
Your wipes are much prettier than mine! I’ve cut up everything from Larry’s old undershirts to holey socks and underwear. I keep them in a basket under sink except for enough to fill a large old wet-wipe box that I keep right by the toilet. I’m the only one in the house that uses them, but I’m also the one who uses the most toilet paper. Anyway, I’m glad for you to post the savings. I suppose I don’t safe THAT much per month, but it’s something anyway. 🙂
Interested in this, however I had read somewhere that the storing of them until you wash is completely unsanitary, and hugely spreads all kinds of germs. How do you store them until wash day? Thanks so much for the great info, especially the caluculator!
Lol- “I forgot how to do it”. I’m doubting this somehow 😉
Here in the UK we had aTV series “Victorian Farm” with associated book and DVD set, I don’t know if it got to the States. Three historians/archeaologists lived for a year as Victorian farm workers, absolutely fascinating! Ruth Goodman as the farmers wife took away from the experience some insights she has applied to her own life. If you are brave enough you may follow her example and SAVE MONEY! She says –
“Soap is just for dissolving grease, the actual cleaning is done by your washing machine bashing the clothes around in water…. In fact you may want to be brave like me. When I am not living on a Victorian farm, I put no powder or liquid in my wash at all. You will be amazed at how clean everything comes out…. three and a half years on , it’s all still coming out clean…. a handy side effect. Softer clothes….A couple of soap free washes and everything begins to soften.”
I tried this on my thick tights and yes they look/smell Ok and are softer. Next I will experiment with my ‘darks’. The process is to check for needed repairs (do them! stitch in time etc.) spot clean any areas that need treatment, soaking if necessary then just wash.
The reasons behind how the laundry powder/liquid industry started are another story. Victorian housewives were frugal and using a stain removal product in the whole wash would have horrified them! You benefit, your health benefits, your budget benefits and the environment benefits. Nothing to lose for trying it out!
Hi, sorry I had left a question but was away and when I went to check they’re closed. So hope you don’t mind I’m leaving again but I am interested in this. I had read that the storing until washing spreads all sorts of germs, do you store them a certain way? Thanks for all the great info!!!! I have picked up so many useful lifestyle changes.
Theresa, I keep them in an open trash can. It only spreads germs if you touch them and touch other things. We never handle them and just pour them into the washer straight from the container. You can wash out the container between uses if it bothers you.