I am determined to do every possible way to cut down our electricity bill. Last time, I posted energy-saving tips for refrigerators. Today, I looked up for practical ways to reduce a washing machine's energy consumption and how to save money on laundry.
1. Wash with cold water. According to EnergySavers.gov, 90% of the energy used by a conventional top-load washing machine is for heating the water.
2. Wash in full load. The washer uses the same of energy when washing a half load or a full load so you save more time energy if you choose the latter.
3. Remove lint. Regularly clean the dryer and washer to remove lint. Lint
gets in the way of the airflow and causes the dryer to work harder and
consume more energy. (Check out Cloth Diaper Nation for ideas on how to recycle lint)
4. Shorten the wash cycle. If clothes are not that dirty, you can reduce the "wash" minutes.
5. Measure the detergent you use. Use a cup to make sure that you don’t put in too much than what is needed for the load.
6. Shorten spin drying. For light clothes, a short spin in the dryer should be enough to remove excess water so they can be hung to dry.
7. Hang to dry. On sunny days, skip the dryer and hang clothes in a clothes line or a drying rack to reduce energy consumption.
7. Hang to dry. On sunny days, skip the dryer and hang clothes in a clothes line or a drying rack to reduce energy consumption.
8. Know when it’s time to wash. Some clothing pieces such as jackets and sweaters can be worn a couple of times before they need washing. Don’t toss it in the hamper right away. Instead, hang it neatly on a hanger or a clothing rack. (Read "The When-to-Wash-It Handbook" by Real Simple)
9. Check the ENERGY STAR label. If you live in the US and you plan to buy a washing machine, make sure it has the ENERGY STAR label. Use the EnergyGuide to compare which machine will enable you to conserve energy.
What energy-saving and money-saving tips can you share?
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