Do you know how to save money on your laundry cycles?
Whether you work a demanding 9-to-5, you’re a busy parent juggling a million tasks, or you’re a retiree enjoying a more relaxed pace, one thing’s for sure: laundry is a universal chore. We all need to wash and launder our clothes, towels, and bedding so that they’re clean, hygienic, and fresh the next time we use them. It’s a fundamental part of maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment, but it’s also a recurring task that comes with a recurring cost.
But although this is a mandatory and basic necessity, your laundry cycles can be pretty expensive, almost as much as heating and cooling your home. Generally speaking, washers and dryers are responsible for roughly 5 percent of a household’s annual electricity usage. To put that in perspective, if your annual energy bill is $2,000, that’s $100 spent just on doing laundry. And that figure doesn’t even include the cost of water or, for those with gas dryers, the natural gas bill. While that might not seem like a huge deal at first glance, I don’t think anyone would mind saving up those extra bucks over the course of a year. Those savings could mean an extra nice dinner out, a small contribution to your savings account, or simply less financial pressure at the end of the month.
Moreover, your laundry cycle habits can have a major impact on how much money you spend on electricity and water, but don’t worry, I have some surprisingly simple tips for you. The great news is that you don’t need to buy a brand-new, hyper-efficient machine to see a difference. By making a few small adjustments to your routine, you can significantly cut down on these expenses. If you don’t want to allow your laundry cycles to eat away at your finances, keep reading, because you’ll love these practical and easy-to-implement suggestions!
1. Water settings
People are creatures of habit, which means that they might do something and think that it will work in many other situations too. It’s easy to fall into a routine of just turning the dial to the same setting every single time. For example, you might automatically select the “large load” setting for every laundry cycle out of habit, but this seemingly innocent action might be costing you serious bucks. You’re essentially paying for water that you aren’t even using.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to lower your utility bill is by consciously changing the water level setting on your trusted appliance to match the appropriate load size. If you’re only washing a few items, choose the “small” or “low” setting. This tiny change is going to cause major results in the long run, meaning lower water usage and costs. Many modern washing machines even have an “auto-sensing” feature that automatically adjusts the water level to the amount of laundry in the drum. If your machine has this option, use it! It takes the guesswork out of the equation and ensures you’re using the optimal amount of water every time.
2. Non-peak hours
If you’ve thought that peak hours for energy usage were only in people’s imagination, you’re wrong, and you could use this information to your benefit. Many utility providers have what’s called “time-of-use” (TOU) pricing plans, where the price of electricity changes throughout the day based on demand. When it’s peak hours and you set a laundry cycle, you might pay significantly more for the same amount of electricity, and that’s because the consumption is higher in that period as more people are using power.
Of course, the schedule for these peak and off-peak hours depends entirely from one company and state to another, so the best way to get more insights on this one is by calling your utility company or checking their website. Ask them directly when electricity use is lowest and therefore cheapest, and then make an effort to do your laundry during these off-peak time frames. Typically, peak hours are in the late afternoon and early evening, when people come home from work and school, start making dinner, and turn on lights and electronics.
If you don’t want to ask them that, a good rule of thumb is to do your things in the time frames when the majority of people are at work or asleep. This often means running the washer and dryer late at night or very early in the morning. By shifting your laundry schedule, you can save a couple of bucks on every single load, which adds up to a considerable amount over a year.
Keep reading to discover all the tips and tricks on how to save money on your laundry cycles!
3. Don’t wash too much
Don’t get this the wrong way, because it’s obviously important to wash dirty laundry and maintain good hygiene. However, knowing *when* you should run a laundry cycle is going to help you save money and use your appliances more efficiently. Not every piece of clothing needs to be washed after a single, brief use. Over-washing not only costs you money but also causes unnecessary wear and tear on your clothes, shortening their lifespan.
For instance, particular items, such as sturdy sweaters, sleepwear you’ve only worn for one night, jeans, and jackets, can often be worn plenty of times before needing a good refresh. Jeans can go 5-10 wears between washes, while sweaters and hoodies might only need washing every 4-5 wears, assuming no spills. A great alternative for items that aren’t truly dirty but just need a little reviving is spot-cleaning. If you get a small stain, treat just that spot instead of tossing the whole garment in the hamper. Moreover, if you’re lucky to have a dryer that has a steam cycle option, you can skip a laundry cycle entirely and quickly steam your clothing pieces using this function instead. This will de-wrinkle them, remove light odors, give them a fresh feel, and they’ll be as good as washed for another wear.
4. Air dry laundry
Many years ago, when electric dryers weren’t yet invented to make people’s lives easier, air-drying laundry was the way to go. This old-fashioned method is making a huge comeback for good reason. Your clothes dryer is one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home. If you want to save a substantial amount of money on your energy bill, you should take notice of this because skipping the dryer is going to help you immensely.
Besides saving money, air-drying your laundry is going to keep it in good condition for much longer, considering that the high temperature in the dryer can cause fabrics to shrink, fade, or get damaged over time. The tumbling action can be harsh on delicate items and can cause elastic to break down. By air-drying, you preserve the color and integrity of your favorite clothes.
Whether you hang your clothes outside on a clothesline, under the sun, or on a simple indoor drying rack, this tip is going to be a lifesaver. Drying clothes outside has the added benefit of the sun’s natural UV rays, which can help to disinfect and brighten your whites. If you’re drying indoors, place the rack in a well-ventilated area or near a window, and consider using a fan to speed up the process. Of course, this method is best for when you don’t need those items ASAP, but planning ahead can make it a regular part of your routine.
Do you know any other tips on how to lower the costs of your laundry cycles?
5. Wait to have a full load
Don’t overrun your appliances by starting a cycle each time there are just a couple of dirty items in your laundry basket. It might be tempting to wash that one specific shirt you want to wear tomorrow, but it’s much better to wait until you have a full load to wash. This way, you don’t double (or triple!) up on cycles and waste money on water and electricity bills, as well as on your detergent.
It doesn’t matter how many items you put in, because your trusted appliance will need between 14 and 20 gallons of water per cycle, depending on the type and age of the machine. Running a half-empty machine uses nearly the same amount of energy and water as a full one. So make sure to load your washing machine as full as possible to get the most out of its capacity, but don’t forget to not overcrowd it, because that’s not good either.
If you get too excited and pack your washer too tightly, your laundry won’t have enough room to move around, which means water and detergent can’t circulate properly. As a result, you won’t enjoy clean items and might even find dry patches or soap residue on your clothes, forcing you to re-wash them. You have to find that sweet spot between too empty and too full. A good rule of thumb for a top-loader is to fill it loosely, and for a front-loader, you should be able to place your hand vertically between the top of the clothes and the drum. It’s not hard at all once you get the hang of it.
6. Choose the right wash cycle
Another smart tip to lower your energy consumption on your laundry cycles is to choose the right cycle for the load that you want to clean. Modern washing machines come with a variety of settings designed for different fabric types and soil levels. It might sound hard to believe, but you can save a lot of water and energy by simply adjusting your settings as necessary instead of relying on the default “normal” cycle for everything.
Sometimes you don’t need to run a complete, hour-long laundry cycle because all you might need is a quick express rinse for lightly soiled clothes. Don’t forget to skip the heavy-duty settings unless absolutely necessary, because they use extra water, higher temperatures, and longer agitation times, consuming a ton of energy. That setting is best reserved for things like extremely muddy work clothes. Moreover, trust me when I tell you that you won’t need to increase the setting or use more water to give a load of towels a good wash; a normal or towels cycle is perfectly designed for the job.
Besides that, some appliances might have a rapid wash cycle that uses less water and energy than longer ones, and these are fantastic for cleaning small, lightly dirty loads in just 15 to 40 minutes. This is perfect for a last-minute outfit you need for the evening. The “delicate” or “hand wash” cycle uses a gentle, slow spin and cool water, which is perfect for protecting sensitive fabrics and saving energy. The “permanent press” cycle uses warm water and a slow spin to help prevent wrinkles. Understanding these settings allows you to customize each wash for maximum efficiency. However, if you plan on washing a larger load of heavily soiled clothing, you will still need more water and a longer cycle to properly soak those items so that they can be clean and fresh at the end of the process.
7. Use cold water
One pervasive myth that might make you waste lots of money on your laundry cycles is the idea that you always have to use hot water; otherwise, you won’t get clean things. Nothing could be further from the truth! An astonishing 75-90% of the energy your washing machine uses goes toward simply heating the water. Switching to cold water is an excellent way to save a significant amount of money on electricity as well as clean your items efficiently. Today’s advanced detergents are specifically formulated with enzymes that work powerfully in cold temperatures.
However, if you aren’t ready to fully commit and don’t want to wash your belongings with cold water, you can try a combination that will still help you save a couple of bucks in the long run. Try washing your clothes on a “warm/cold” cycle, where the wash cycle uses warm water but the rinse cycle uses cold water. This can still cut your energy use for that load by about half.
Instead of using hot water to rinse your things, you can set your machine to use cold water instead. Rinsing with cold water is effective for all types of loads, as its main purpose is to simply wash away the soap. It might not seem much at first, but given that heating water is the biggest energy draw, switching from a hot/hot to a warm/cold or even a cold/cold cycle over time can add up, and you’ll definitely notice the difference in your pocket.
8. Routine maintenance
I’m a strong believer that prevention is better than treatment in every case possible, and saving money on your laundry cycles is no exception. Taking care of your appliances ensures they run efficiently and last longer, saving you from costly repairs or replacements. One important thing you should never neglect is cleaning your trusted appliances after you’re done cleaning your clothing and bedding.
Moreover, for the best dryer performance ever, you should clean your lint filter before or after each and every load. This takes only a few seconds. A messy, clogged lint filter restricts airflow, which might cause your dryer to not do its best job. To compensate for the lack of airflow, it will use more energy and require a longer drying time to get your clothes dry. A clogged lint screen is also a serious fire hazard, so this is a crucial safety step as well.
But your dryer is not the only one that deserves your attention, so don’t neglect your washing machine because it does the hard job for you. Over time, soap scum and mineral deposits can build up. You can clean your dear appliance with some good-quality washer-cleaning tablets because they help you get rid of any unwanted odors, and they can also help you remove grime residues that might build up in there. A monthly cleaning cycle, either with a tablet or by running an empty hot cycle with two cups of white vinegar, will keep it running smoothly.
Another thing you shouldn’t neglect is leaving the washing machine door open after cycles, especially for front-loading models. This allows air to circulate and the interior to dry out, which helps to avoid musty odors and the growth of mildew on the rubber gasket. This simple habit can extend the duration between expensive gasket replacements.
If you’re looking for some tablets that will keep your washing machine healthy and fresh, try these ones from Amazon. I tested them for a couple of months, and let me tell you that they work like magic, keeping my machine smelling great and performing at its best.
What do you think about these tips on how to lower your bills on your laundry cycles? Making these small changes can lead to big savings on your water and energy bills without much effort. Do you have any other suggestions for us, perhaps a secret family trick for stain removal or a favorite eco-friendly detergent?
Leave them in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. If you find this article helpful and you want to read something else from The Price Makers, here’s another fantastic post for you: Never Buy These 10 Things at Gas Stations
