Washer
Dryer
- Wash in cold water instead of warm. Cold water washes just as effectively and costs less.
- Wash with hot water sparingly.
- Eliminate warm rinse cycles altogether. This saves $25 per year with electric washers, $10 with gas.
- Wait until you have a full load to wash. Your washer uses the same amount of energy regardless of the size of the load.
- Adjust the water level in your washer to the lowest feasible setting.
- Use shorter wash cycles for lightly soiled and delicate clothes. Presoak dirtier clothes, then use a shorter wash cycle for them as well.
- Consider buying a front-loading washer. These reduce energy use by 50%, use less water, and require less detergent. Front-loaders handle clothes more gently and spin them drier.
- Use only as much detergent as you need. Over-sudsing causes your washer to work harder and use more energy.
- Use the suds-saver option, if you have one, when washing lightly soiled or delicate clothes. This saves rinse water for the next cycle.
Dryer
- Line-dry clothes whenever possible. It's free, it's environmentally friendly, and it leaves your clothes freshened by the wind and sun.
- Clean the lint filter after every load. Lint reduces airflow to the dryer and causes it to work harder.
- Your dryer is more efficient when full. Combine loads to optimize its energy use.
