11 Quick Ways To Save Money In The Laundry Room
Saving money is important to almost everyone. And if there are quick and easy ways to do it - sign me up! When thinking of saving money around the house, the laundry room isn't a room that comes to mind first...or even second.
Not only will I show you how to save money in the kitchen and how to build your credit score, but with these 11 simple money-saving hacks, I'll teach you how to whip the laundry room into shape and shave a few dollars off your monthly expenses.
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11 Quick Ways To Save Money In The Laundry Room
1. Only Wash Clothes and Linens that are Dirty
There are a few rules you can follow here:
Do a sniff test. If it smells fresh, don't wash it.
If you wore something for a few hours, hang it up to air it out and re-wear it.
If you wore a sweater over a shirt, don't wash the sweater.
Jeans, bras, and pajamas can be worn several times before they need to be washed.
Hang your towels and kitchen cloths up correctly so they can be reused for several days.
2. Wash Full Loads
Your washer will use about the same amount of energy no matter the size of the load, so fill it up.
Running a half-empty machine wastes water, energy, and detergent.
By waiting until you have a full load, you can maximize the efficiency of your machine and reduce the number of loads you need to do each week.
Don't overfill it; read the instructions and stick to the advised capacity.
If you're in a rush and need to wash a smaller load, adjust the water level settings on your machine to match the load size.
3. Use Cold Water
Unless you have extremely dirty/ greasy clothes, washing in cold water gets your clothes clean all the same.
Heating water accounts for a significant portion of your energy bill, so use cold water to cut the load's energy consumption in half.
Are you worried that your detergent won't work as well in cold water? Then, pre-treat your clothes and check out these cold water detergent options to put your mind at ease.
4. Buy Generic Laundry Products
Generic store brands perform just as well as big brands.
Don't let clever marketing fool you into spending more money than necessary.
Give generic brands a chance.
5. Use Less Detergent
You don't need to use excessive amounts of detergent per load. Instead, use half the recommended dose and add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your load for added cleaning power.
Even better, decant your washing powder into a bigger container and add baking soda. Mix, and voila! You have a pre-mix ready to go!
See how else you can use baking soda in and around your house.
You can also opt to make your own laundry detergent and save a lot of money in the long run. Not only is it cheaper than buying store-bought detergent, but it's also better for the environment since you can control the ingredients and reduce packaging waste.
6. Wash and Dry your Clothes for Less Time
I cannot, for the life of me, wash anything for more than 40 minutes.
Most washing machines have a "quick" setting. USE IT.
The same rule applies to the dryer.
If you pre-treat stains and very dirty clothes, the quick setting will work perfectly to clean your clothes.
7. Dry Right-Sized Loads for your Machine
Before putting your laundry in the dryer - separate towels and heavier items from lighter-weight clothes.
The light weights will dry faster on their own than being thrown around with water-heavy towels.
If your dryer is too full, it will take longer for the clothes to dry.
Read the instructions and stick to the recommended load size.
8. Use Fresh Air
Air dry when you can. It's free! Get out in the sunshine and start hanging.
Hang your wet laundry correctly; the breeze might even iron out some wrinkles!
If you have non-washable items, like blazers or winter coats, hang them outside to remove any odors.
9. Don't Iron
Some materials are very forgiving. For example, you won't need to iron it if you give it a good shake before hanging it neatly.
Likewise, when your clothes are dry - fold them neatly before your pack them away, and your iron will never need to see the light of day.
10. Take Care of your Washer and Dryer
Leave the lid/ door open after every load so it can dry.
Leave the soap dispenser open as well.
Don't use fabric softener.
Clean the lint filter on your dryer regularly.
Wipe dust and grime from your appliances after every use.
Listen for any weird sounds and have it checked out and repaired before it becomes a more expensive problem.
Take care of your appliances, and you won't need to spend money on repairs or buying new ones.
11. Use an Energy-Saving Washer and Dryer
Energy-saving appliances tend to be slightly more expensive up front, but energy saving = paying less on utility bills.
These machines use less water and energy than traditional machines, which can significantly reduce your utility bills. Plus, they often have larger capacities, allowing you to wash more clothes at once and save time.
In the long run, it's better for your wallet and the environment - hooray!
The Bottom Line
Doing laundry can be costly, but it doesn't have to be. With a few simple changes to your laundry routine, you can save money on energy, water, and detergent without sacrificing cleanliness or convenience. The best thing about these tips? You can start doing them TODAY to help you save money in your laundry room. Try them and be thankful for your extra dollars at the end of every month.