by Angie Pollock

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: August 24, 2008

Being frugal on laundry day can not only save your family money but can help save the environment. With just a few tips, you can cut back on energy usage and you will purchase less laundry products which mean less packages and containers in our landfills.

*If you are in the market for a new washer, consider a front loading washing machine. The front loaders can use up to 40 percent less water than a traditional top loading washer.

*When doing laundry, do a full load. Doing small or partial loads uses the same amount of time and energy as doing a full load.

*Consider using cold water only. While hot or warm water works best for greasy or heavily soiled clothing, cold water can be used for most loads and cold water can be used for all rinses. The water temperature does not affect the rinsing of clothes. You can also save energy by setting your hot water heater to a lower heat temperature.

*When loading the laundry into the washer, load with like items that dry similarly. Lighter items will dry quicker thus taking less drying time and use less energy.

*When taking a load from the dryer, immediately put in another load. Taking advantage of the dryer still being hot will dry clothes quicker.

*Clean dryer filters and vents including the vents on the outside of your home regularly.

*When the weather permits, consider line drying. While many don't like the stiffness that line drying causes to items like jeans and towels, line drying is an alternative for items such as socks, sheets and lighter fabrics. To shorten drying time and prevent stiffness in items like jeans and towels, remove them from the dryer while still damp and then hang to dry. This can be done in reverse also by hanging the items until almost dry and then placing in the dryer to take out any roughness and creases in the items. By hanging your laundry out to dry, you can cut your electric bill by up to $50 per month.

*Save money on dryer sheets by cutting the sheet in half. Consider using white vinegar instead of liquid fabric softener. Using approximately one-quarter cup per load will help keep items soft and static-free. White vinegar is also less harsh on your washing machine and fabrics than liquid fabric softener.

*Make your own pre-wash or stain treatments. Dawn dish liquid is an effective stain removal alternative.

*The amount of laundry detergent that is recommended on products can be excessive. Try cutting back on the amount depending upon what is being washed or how soiled the laundry is. If you are loyal to an expensive brand of laundry detergent, try using a less expensive brand when washing items such as the kids' playclothes.

*The biggest savings is by having less laundry. There are items that can be worn more than once like pajamas and consider using towels twice. By washing items less not only saves on energy but the items will last longer since washing causes fading and wear.

Consumers spend more hard-earned money on laundry products than is needed and we waste water and electricity doing that laundry for the ease and convenience that a washer and dryer provide. Taking the extra time to think about how we do our laundry not only will save us money but will extend the life of our appliances and clothes.

"A penny saved is a penny earned."-Benjamin Franklin

Sources:
http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/20 07/03/20/save-money-on-laundry-day/
http://personal-f inance.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/03/save_on_laundry_ day.php
http://www.mysavings.com/blog/newsletter.asp? ID=59
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf587636.tip.html

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