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13 Ways to Save on Laundry Costs
Thursday June 26, 2008 by Danelle Ice13 Ways to Save on Laundry Costs
Laundry is one of those chores that must be done. This task can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want it to be, depending on what measures you take to cut the costs. Here are 13 different ways to save on the cost of doing laundry, ranging from quick and easy to long-term solutions. Not all tips are right for every family; just choose the ones you can work into your current system today and enjoy lower utility and laundry supply bills!
1. Buy Energy Star rated appliances. That Energy Star emblem means they use less energy in a more efficient manner and will cost you less to use. When replacing old or worn out appliances, check first for the Energy Star on your replacement choices.
2. Cut dryer sheets in half. One box lasts twice as long when you cut the sheets in half. As soon as you open the box, break out the scissors and enjoy cutting your dryer sheet expenses in half!
3. Dilute laundry detergent in the bottle with water. Save your empty laundry detergent bottles. When you open a fresh one, pour half into the empty bottle. You now have 2 bottles half full of detergent waiting to be filled with water. You can fill water all the way to the top or 2/3 full, depending on the savings you want. Diluted detergent will get your clothing just as clean, and if you’re used to filling the cap (or your family members are), this trick will save you. Most of us use more detergent than recommended or necessary anyway.
4. Use less detergent and liquid fabric softener. Are you strong enough to skip the diluting and just use less? More power to you!
5. Clean the lint trap before every load of laundry. A clean lint trap lets your dryer work more efficiently and dry clothes faster. Spend the extra 20 seconds and empty it before you start the dryer.
6. Line dry your clothes. String up a line, buy some cheap wooden clothes pins, and you’re in business. Zero energy use and it costs exactly $0 to use.
7. Create a hybrid drying routine. Maybe you don’t like line drying because of the possible clothing stiffness. Maybe you can’t use a clothesline because of space limitations, like living in an apartment with no yard. If you can’t convert wholly to the clothesline method for whatever reason, create a hybrid routine that still has you using your electric dryer, but only half as much. Hang items to dry over shower curtain rods, hang from ceiling fans, or clothesline for part of the time, dryer for the rest. Get soft clothes with half the energy use.
8. Do less laundry. Wear jeans more than once, use bath towels more than once. Make sure you hang up clothes that can be worn again so that they’re not washed by mistake.
9. Double up 1/2 loads of laundry and only dry full loads. Put your half load of washed whites in the dryer and let them wait until your next half load is complete. Dry as one full load and cut the energy cost in half!
10. Dry loads back to back if possible to keep the dryer from heating up again (save time and energy).
11. Double spin clothes in the washer. After your washer is done, turn the knob to “Spin only” and spin the clothes a second time. This helps to get extra water out of the clothes and then they take less time to dry.
12. Use vinegar in the wash instead of fabric softener (1/4 cup). Smaller loads need smaller amounts, unless you want to smell vinegar on your clean clothes! This cheap alternative to liquid fabric softener will save money on your laundry supply budget for certain.
13. Wash in the coldest temperature recommended for your clothes. Save your water heater from firing up to heat the water if possible.
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3 Comments:
Some Frugal link love! « God, Family, Rants, and… WhatEver! said on July 10th, 2008 @ 7:06 am:
[...] http://www.homemakerbarbi.com/13-ways-to-save-on-laundry-costs/ [...]
admin said on July 10th, 2008 @ 10:35 am:
@CL: Awesome tip on washing the lint filter! Very good info which I’ll be adding to laundry articles in the future. Thank you.
@WhatEver Page: Thanks for the link love!
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CL said on July 1st, 2008 @ 6:32 pm:
WASH your lint filter! I thought our dryer needed replacing because it took longer and longer to dry the same old clothes. I scrubbed the filter with a drop of dish soap and a nail brush, rinsed really well, let air dry, and popped it back in. Cut drying time by more than half! Fabric softener and dryer sheets both cause build-up that clogs the filter, impeding air-flow and extending drying time.