Did you know that making one simple change can save both energy and save you money? A push of a button or a twist of a dial on your washing machine could save you as much as $250 a year. Washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm water takes very little effort but can have a big impact (especially if we all do it). In addition to saving you up to $250/yr, making the change to cold water wash can save you even more in the long-run because cold water doesn’t wear your clothes out as fast or cause them to fade. This means that your clothes last longer and you replace them less often.
Check out this infographic from Huntsville Utilities and remember that Cool is Clean & Clean is Cool!
Here are a few other tips you can use to save energy & money when doing your laundry.
- Choose an ENERGY STAR rated washer and dryer system
- Make sure you choose settings that use the right amount of water for your load size
- Clean the lint trap in your dryer after every load
- Choose a dryer with a dampness sensor. It will stop running when the clothes are dry.
- Wash and dry full loads of laundry rather than partial loads.
- Wash and dry towels and heavier items separately.
- Have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned regularly.
- Air-dry your clothes on a line or rack to save energy and prolong the life of your clothes.
- Use the nozzle on your vacuum to clean any lint that collects just below the lint filter.
- Use the right detergent for your machine. If you have a high efficiency machine use He detergent. If not, choose detergents that are made for cold water wash.
- Use ECO wash detergents and get more for your money. One small bottle of ECO detergent will last longer than a larger bottle of regular detergent.
Do you normally wash in cold water? If so, leave a comment below to tell us why you feel it’s important?
If you liked this post you should check out 10 Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency in Your Home
