10 Laundry Tips that Will Save you the Most Money

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Laundry isn’t exactly something we can ignore. We do need our clothing most days. It is, after all, completely illegal to go out and about while in the nude – in most places. However, that doesn’t mean we have to waste a ton of money doing laundry. Many people are unaware that they can save significantly on their laundry when they have to do it. There is a misconception that doing laundry is a killer when it comes to the utility bill, and while this is true, it’s not the worst thing you pay for. In fact, it’s not even something you have to pay for as much as you currently do. We have some tips and tricks that will save you substantially on your laundry efforts, which is going to make your life a lot easier and more manageable. Read on to find out how you can save on your laundry with a few simple tips.

Don’t do Small Loads

The simplest way to save money on your laundry is to do big loads. Don’t do laundry if you can’t fill that machine up to the full capacity. The more you wash at one time, the fewer loads you have to wash in general. When you wash fewer loads, you use less energy and you have less to pay for in terms of water and energy used to wash a load of laundry.

Don’t Dry Small Loads

The same goes for drying as it does washing. If you want to dry something, do your best to ensure you are drying a full load of laundry. It uses a lot of energy to dry clothes and accessories, and the more you dry at one time, the less energy you have to use in the future. The less energy you use, the less you have to pay for.

Skip the Electric Machines

Did you know it uses far less energy to use gas-powered machines than it does electric machines? For this reason, you should look into changing up what you have and making this change so that you can get things done at a less expensive pace. An electric washer and dryer are nice, but if you’re in the market of saving money, it is not the most efficient method of doing so.

Keep the Dryer Warm

This might sound counter-productive, but you should keep the dryer warm. I know, I know; you’re asking yourself why the dryer doesn’t keep itself warm when it’s hot and warming clothing, right? Well, if the dryer is in a warm place (as opposed to a cold garage or basement) it uses less energy to warm itself up enough to dry your laundry appropriately. When the dryer does not have to work hard to make this happen, it’s much easier for the dryer to get your clothes as dry as possible without wasting energy or efficiency.

Hang Your Clothes to Dry

Why not hang the clothes outside when the day is beautiful? I mean, I don’t do this and I know that I’m far too lazy ever to try, but it’s something that many people do rely on when it comes to making their utility bill smaller. Hanging your clothes outside to air dry not only makes them smell lovely, but it also helps you save some energy when you in the laundry place in your life.

Hand Wash Clothes

Some clothes are actually better off when they are hand washed, which is why we recommend this method of doing your laundry. You’re going to find it much easier to wash your clothing by hand than you are in the washing machine in many instances. Some clothes are a bit more delicate than others from the start, and they deserve a little bit of additional care. It doesn’t take much to hand wash clothing and hang it up to dry, and it does save a bit on electricity and water.

Use Cold Water

The more you washing machine has to work, the more it costs you. If you use cold water instead of hot water when washing clothes, you will find that it’s much easier for you to save money on your laundry. The cold cycle uses so much less energy than the hot cycle, and that saves significantly on energy. Put the water on cold. Even if certain items state that they require hot water, they really do not.

Use the Fastest Spin Cycle on the Dryer

Drying your clothes slowly is completely pointless, to be honest. You want them dry, the dryer is using a lot of energy and no one wins in this situation. The only person who wins here is the person looking to drag out the drying process as long as possible so that he or she does not have to fold and put away laundry in the near future. The faster the drying cycle, the better for all involved, especially your wallet.

Get a Front Loading Machine

A front loading machine uses far less energy than a top loading machine, even though most people are torn between the two. I, for one, have never enjoyed the front loader and just cannot see myself ever going back to one. It felt a bit mildew-y and gross. I love my top loader and will never exchange that for one that loads from the front again. Other people feel very differently about their own front loading machines. The truth of the matter, however, is that the front loader is far more energy efficient than the top.

Go Energy-Efficient

If you don’t already have an energy efficient washer or dryer, now is the time to go ahead and get one. These are far more productive, less expensive and much more energy-efficient (haha) than other machines. You’re going to appreciate the savings that go along with a machine of this nature, and we highly recommend making the switch as soon as possible to maximize your savings when it comes to doing your laundry. Go ahead; you’ll thank us for this decision.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

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