Save Money on Laundry

You'll save water and energy, too.

Photo: IStock

By Brian Clark Howard

Save significant amounts of water and energy (read: money) at home by only doing laundry when you have a full load. It's easy: just put off doing laundry as long as possible!

But seriously, about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water, so by doing full loads you'll be using less water per item. Of course, you can save even more if you opt to do all your loads (or at least the ones that aren't heavily soiled or contaminated with germs) in cold water -- and upgrade to Energy Star machines when you get the chance. Then you'll save 50% on energy and water, keeping $110 a year.

Many washing machines also have an auto water-level setting, which is handy because the appliance will measure the size of your load and choose the most efficient water level for you, so you don't even have to think about it.

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