CasaSugar

DIY: Dryer Balls

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:15:32 -0700

My eyes are always peeled for alternatives to chemical cleaning solutions. So, when I came across a DIY for making dryer balls from wool yarn rather than the blue plastic PVC alternative, I had to share. If you've got some spare yarn in the house, you'll likely have all the ingredients necessary to rid your garb of static cling, so check it out!

Supplies:

100 percent wool yarn (use scraps!)
Old pantyhose or a sock
Cotton or acrylic yarn, or string
Scissors
Small crochet hook
Measuring tape

To learn the steps, read more.

Here are the steps, from Good Mama:

Winding the core. Start by wrapping yarn a few times around two fingers. Then, take your fingers out and wrap more yarn around the bit of yarn. Continue wrapping until you have a small ball. Then, cut the yarn and tuck it under itself using the crochet hook, so it doesn't come loose.
Felting the core. Put the ball in your pantyhose or sock, and secure it closed with a piece of cotton or acrylic yarn, or string. Toss it in the washer and then dryer on high heat. Once complete, cut the strings and take out your core ball. It should be slightly felted.
Winding the dryer ball. Wind the ball with more wool yarn until it about the size you want. 10-10.5 inches in circumference is good. Then, tuck the end into itself using the crochet hook.
Felting the dryer ball. Again, put the ball in your pantyhose or sock, and secure it closed with a piece of cotton or acrylic yarn, or string. Toss it in the washer and then dryer on high heat. Once complete, cut the strings and take out your dryer ball. They should be at least slightly felted, if not completely.
Use it!. The dryer bell will felt more with use. Toss it in the dryer with your laundry to eliminate static cling without the use of chemicals!

Source

Casa Quickie: TP For Your Tech

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:16 -0800

I just spied this inventive idea on Real Simple and couldn't help but pass it along, considering that my gadget cords all look like a messy ball of yarn. If you're anything like me, and you've got cords for your camera, iPod, computer, BlackBerry, blow-dryer, speakers, television, DVD player, etc. clogging up your outlets, God bless you. No really, if that's the case, then here's a trick for you. When you've finished a roll of toilet paper, just slide it over a collection of your cords to keep them contained and untangled. Or, you can use it to keep a single cord from coming unwound once you've folded it up for storage. This is particularly a great idea to keep in mind come Dec. 26 when you've got tree lights to store!
Source

Casa Quickie: Fluffy Laundry

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:00:14 -0700

To help dry your clothes quicker, and to make your laundry fluffier, throw a couple of tennis balls in with your drying clothes. The balls will create air pockets in the dryer, which will speed up the drying process and fluff up your drying garments.