i found "mrs. stewart's concentrated liquid bluing" at the grocery today, $2.49 for 8 oz.  since you only need a few drops, i think i have a lifetime supply!  my bras have only been line-dried (cause i'm too cheap to use the clothes dryer!), and they're sort of gray-ish.  i figure the $2.49 is a lot ...

 thanks, ladies!

the 2 oldest are adults.  they're done.  the younger kids need to know there are limits, so make some.  i had/have a pack of in-laws who will never get enough, no matter how much you give them.  when my husband and i know we're about to get the pathetic stories about how broke/desperate someone is, we pick one number, ...

 i have some bras that are in good condition, but dingy.  what can i use to make them white again without damaging the fabric?

 rats!  guess my box has been hanging around the basement for while!

 the active ingredient in *** and span was trisodium phosphate.  you may be able to find a box labeled "tsp"  at the hardware, with the paint prep stuff.

 re: earmites.  at least for cats, i know this works!  years ago, i got talked into expensive antibiotic/pesticde eardrops for my indoor/outdoor kitty.  after i thought about how the little beggers live in the ear canal- they have to breathe, don't they?- i started this method.  baby oil!  a couple drops as deep ...

 re: cost/savings with grey water and rain barrels- i don't do as many things as cheap yankee does, but combined with rain barrels for outside watering, i pay only the minimun charge for city water.  i have septic, so no sewer charge.  also, you get a discount if you pay early, so you know i get that!

 the best "base" for costume making is a graduation gown!  mine is black (this year) and i made a little bib thingy with some white eyelet ruffle sewn on a scrap of interfacing.  guess which supreme court justice i'm going to be??  if you get a red gown, be a devil.  if you get a green gown, glue on leaves ...

 okay, this is another record cheapo use-what-you've-got....i recovered my old square potholders (made from sewing scrap and old mattress cover padding a million years ago!) with kitchen towels to match the kitchen!