Tricks For Getting Cleaner Clothes With Less Money
You might not consider laundry as a place where you can cut costs, but you absolutely can! Read on for money-saving laundry tips and ideas that will help reduce your expenses.
Properly caring for your (and your family’s) clothes can make them last longer, which alone helps your budget. But the actual process of washing and drying clothes can drain your wallet. These money-saving laundry tips are easy to incorporate into your routine and can make a significant difference in what you spend on laundry.
Use (and choose) your detergent wisely
First, skip the expensive name-brand detergents. Generic or store-brand detergents (like Member’s Mark laundry soap from Sam’s Club) work just as well as the big brands, often for half the price. Also, read the label carefully and use only the recommended amount of detergent – many people use more than they need. If you use dryer sheets, try cutting them in half to get double the usage from each package.
Use cold water
While warm water works best for items like towels and bedsheets, today’s detergents and fabrics clean just as effectively with cold water, saving you money on water heating costs.
Choose the shortest washing cycle possible
Unless your clothes are extremely dirty, you don’t need to use the normal or heavy wash cycles. Shorter cycles use less energy because the machine runs for less time.
Select the right washer and dryer
There’s a reason Maytag’s slogan is ‘The Power to Clean, the Power to Save’ – their new Bravos line is designed to do both exceptionally well. Their high-efficiency washer uses 70% less water and 70% less energy than conventional washers, and its capacity for larger loads means you can wash more laundry at once. The Bravos dryer dries clothes quickly and efficiently, with five temperature settings to prevent over-drying.
Air-dry clothing when possible
The less time your clothes spend in the dryer, the lower your gas or electric bill will be. On warm, sunny days, dry clothing outside on a clothesline, or use a drying rack (like the Whitmor Drying Rack from Target) that folds up easily for convenient indoor use.
Find alternatives for dry-clean-only clothing
Unless your item is made of wool or silk (which should go to the cleaners), many “dry-clean-only” pieces can be washed by hand or on your washer’s delicate cycle, then air-dried. You can also place items in the dryer with a dryer sheet and a damp towel to gently steam them, or use a commercial in-dryer cleaning product like Dryel.
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