Tips to Save Money on Laundry

Laundry is a never-ending chore in most households. We don’t typically think about how much it costs to do laundry at home, nor do we worry about the impact of washing our clothes has on the environment. But we should concern ourselves with doing laundry as efficiently as possible.

Here are some tips for a more efficient wash day.

• Clean the lint trap every time you use the washer or dryer. This not only improves the efficiency of laundry machines, but also can help prevent dryer fires.

• Do full loads. Don’t overstuff the washer or dryer, but wait to clean clothes or bedding or towels until you have a full load, to make maximum use of the machines.

• Use cold water. Most modern detergents are formulated to work well in cold water. Cold water is less hard on cloth, so your clothes will last longer. And you won’t use (and pay for) the energy required to heat a laundry tub full of hot water.

• Use high spin speeds. This removes more water from the clean laundry before it goes into the dryer. The time wet clothes spend in the dryer is reduced, saving you additional money on your energy bills.

• If you will be buying a new washer or dryer, look for a certified Energy Star model. These machines use less water and less energy, which will save you money over the worklife of the new machines.