Is doing laundry anyone’s favorite activity? Probably not. And as far as household appliances go, your washer and dryer are two of the costliest to run. In fact your dryer is most likely the costliest appliance to run in your whole house. Here are a few ways you can save energy and money in your laundry room.
Wash With Cold Water
Heating water uses up a lot of energy so washing your clothes in warm or cold water instead of hot can cut your energy usage in half. Plus, many high efficiency (HE) detergents are specifically designed to perform in cooler water temperatures so you can ensure your clothes and linens get clean while you save energy and money.
Only Wash Full Loads
Washing a small load and washing a large load take the same amount of energy for your washer to operate so always ensure you are washing a full load of clothes.
Air Dry When Possible
Using a drying rack or hanging up certain items to dry can help you save money on the energy costs required to heat up your clothes dryer.
Take Advantage of A Hot Dryer
Transfer clothes from your washing machine to the dryer immediately following your dryer’s cycle to take advantage of the heat in the dryer. Doing this can also help you save time when drying your clothes.
Use Dryer Balls
Using dryer balls, usually made of rubber or wool, helps to separate your clothes and linens, adding more hot air to the mix. This cuts down on the time it takes to get your items completely dry. Plus, dryer balls can help cut down on the amount of static electricity that is created in the dryer cycle.
Fill Your Dryer
Fill, but don’t overfill, your dryer. Loads that are too small or too large can take extra time and additional cycles to get completely dry. Filling your dryer the appropriate amount helps your machine run most efficiently.
Separate Your Towels
Wash and dry your heavier items like towels and bedding, separately from lighter weight clothing. These heavier items will prevent your lighter items from drying efficiently and require more time in the dryer.
Shop For Energy Efficient Appliances
When replacing your old washer and dryer, shop for energy efficient appliances that are EnergyStar approved. These appliances can help you save money and energy for years to come.
