Energy-Saving Tips
Just because you have an Energy Star labeled washer and dryer doesn’t mean that’s all you can do to ensure you’re using less energy. Energy.gov has some great tips for saving energy while you’re doing laundry, which boil down to: use less water and use cooler water.
Here are some great energy saving recommendations from Energy.gov:
- Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.
- Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
- Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
- Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
- Clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation and prevent fire hazards.
- Periodically, use the long nozzle tip on your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint that collects below the lint screen in the lint screen slot of your clothes dryer.
- Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the heat remaining in the dryer.
- Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material — not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
- Consider air-drying clothes on clothes lines or drying racks. Air drying is recommended by clothing manufacturers for some fabrics.
You can learn more ways to save energy in your home at Energy.gov or visit EnergyStar.gov to learn more.
Resources:
Energy.gov Laundry Tips
EnergyStar.gov – Clothes Washers for Consumers
SFGate – How to Save the Most Electricity When Doing the Laundry
EcoLife – Save Energy While Doing Laundry
We’d love to hear from you! Just leave a comment below.
One of the best things about drying clothes on the line is the smell. Yum. It’s just a nice bonus that’s its also helping to save energy!
I always wash in cold water & use an HE machine with Norwex detergent! I love it and the dryer balls definitely help with drying time & static!
White clothes stay whiter if they are air dried.
Love the Norwex detergent and dryer balls!! Just started with them..and can see a difference!
How do I train my hubby into not over drying everything? It drives me insane!
Washing in cold water definitely helps cut down on your energy cost. Moreover, I make sure to do my laundry on a sunny day. That way, I don’t have to tumble dry my clothes.
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I LOVE drying on the line!! Even in the winter air dryed clothes inside is wonderful. Norwex laundry soap has turned into my favorite detergent ever.
I wash all of my clothing, except for Norwex, in cold water. Not only that, but since I got my new dryer this Spring, my loads are dried on the low heat setting in 1/2 of the cycle as a result of using my wood dryer balls.
Hello.This post was extremely motivating, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it and hope you will consider becoming a Norwex Movement member!
I love drying clothes outside on the clothesline, especially sheets, the smell is wonderful.
I always wanted a clothes line but we’ve never had enough room. Then it dawned on me that there were the umbrella style clothes “lines”. Found a great company and ordered one. I love going out to hang or bring in the loads. Just like grandma used to do.
Great tips, I am trying to air dry more often! <3
I always hang all my laundry to dry. With Norwex’s Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent all my clothes are naturally soft as there is no build up of detergent residue. I have not persoanlly used the dryer balls, however all my customers love them, including my parents who are well into their 80s and making the switch from dryer sheets was not easy for them. One of my customer works in a wood prcessing plant where there are a lot of chemials around, the UPP gets his clothes so clean and fresh that you would never know how much they smell at the end of each shft.
I agree nothing like hanging your clothes out to dry. They smell fabulous, plus the savings is unreal.