Doing the laundry, especially when measured by the time in which the washing machine and dryer are in use, is one of the most energy and water intensive activities that take place around the house. With the release of soap and dirt filled water throughout the wash cycle, this chore effects the environment negatively as well. Fortunately, there are several ways you can reduce your utility bills related to doing your laundry while also lessening the effects on the environment.
These steps include:
* Upgrading – If you have a washing machine with an agitator in the middle of the basin, you are using a traditional style machine that probably uses over 40 gallons of water per load. At 300 to 400 wash loads per year, the average amount for a household, that adds up to between 12,000 and 16,000 gallons of water per year. New models, whether front loading or top loading, use less than half of the water required by older machines. You can also cut your energy use by heating less water per load.
* Going cold – Cold water is effective on most stains, with the exceptions being oily or greasy ones. Using cold water washes drastically reduces energy usage as heating water creates the biggest demand for electricity during each cycle.
* Experimenting with drying times – One of the most common energy wasters in drying clothes is using default settings that continue the cycle well after clothes are dry. Test your drying times to see how long different materials take to dry and use timed drying to end the cycle when the load is dry.
It’s not often that saving money and helping the environment go together. By following these tips you can do both while saving time as well.
These steps include:
* Upgrading – If you have a washing machine with an agitator in the middle of the basin, you are using a traditional style machine that probably uses over 40 gallons of water per load. At 300 to 400 wash loads per year, the average amount for a household, that adds up to between 12,000 and 16,000 gallons of water per year. New models, whether front loading or top loading, use less than half of the water required by older machines. You can also cut your energy use by heating less water per load.
* Going cold – Cold water is effective on most stains, with the exceptions being oily or greasy ones. Using cold water washes drastically reduces energy usage as heating water creates the biggest demand for electricity during each cycle.
* Experimenting with drying times – One of the most common energy wasters in drying clothes is using default settings that continue the cycle well after clothes are dry. Test your drying times to see how long different materials take to dry and use timed drying to end the cycle when the load is dry.
It’s not often that saving money and helping the environment go together. By following these tips you can do both while saving time as well.
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