How to Do Energy Efficient Laundry

From heating the water to turning the dryer, automated laundry is a major energy sucker and a big contributor to our monthly electric and water bills. To learn how to save money and energy on your laundry bills, keep reading for 9 great tips.

1. Air-dry.

Whenever possible, air-dry your clothes. You'll save about $1 per load in energy costs and if you're a big family that $1 could add up fast. If you like the "softness" of dryer-tossed clothes provide, simply throw your air-dried clothing in the dryer for 5 minutes.

2. Put a racquet ball or two in the dryer.

They'll bounce around and make a bit of noise, but throwing a couple of racquet or tennis balls in the dryer with your load will help your clothes dry faster and come out with less wrinkles. The balls act as a counter-weight and will give your clothes a good toss, rather than having them bunch together in a dripping wet mass.

3. Make your own dryer sheets.

Instead of shelling out for expensive dryer sheets, save money by dampening a washcloth or old sock with a bit of water and some baking soda or liquid fabric softener. Throw it in the dryer and you'll end up with static-free and soft laundry.

4. Use cold water to save money.

Unless your clothes are heavily soiled, you can get away with just using cold water. Not only will your colors last longer, but you can save a couple hundred dollars a year just by switching from hot to cold laundry.

5. Go for an extra spin cycle.

If you've got a heavy load, like jeans or towels, run it through an extra spin cycle. You'll cut your drying time almost in half in exchange for a process that uses about a tenth of the energy.

6. Prolong the life of your washing machine.

Save big money by properly maintaining your washing machine and extending its lifespan. A few times a year, unclog your machine's hoses and clean out all the backlog and buildup by running the machine with an empty load of hot water and about a gallon of distilled white vinegar.

7. Use shampoo instead of Woolite.
When washing delicate items like sweaters or undergarments skip the expensive Woolite and reach for the shampoo instead. It's light enough not to cause any damage, but you should stick to products for normal hair and avoid specialty formulas.

8. Speed up your drying time with a dry towel.

If racquetballs aren't your thing, you can still save money and drying time by throwing a dry towel in the dryer with your next load. The towel will absorb a lot of the extra moisture and speed up the cycle.

9. Take care of your dryer and it will take care of you.

If your dryer seems to be taking longer than normal, it may be time for a quick tune-up. First, go outside and clean out any lint or built up debris inside the outdoor vent cover. Next, pull the dryer out from the wall and check that the accordion tubing isn't twisted or kinked. Finally, clean out your lint trap after every load.