The laundry is a high activity part of the home, especially if you have lots of young kids who seem to attract dirt and grime. Costs can add up pretty quick, but there are a number of easy ways to save money in the laundry.
1 Use cold water most of the time
The vast majority of laundry detergents on the market today are formulated to clean in cold water. So unless you’re washing very dirty/greasy items or towels, make your load a cold one. You save on energy costs around 60 cents a load – which adds up over time! Plus cold washing also prevents fading and reduces the likelihood of clothes bleeding on each other.
2 Check washer hoses for signs of wear
Leaks and cracks can increase water usage and potentially damage walls and floors. If you have a rubber house, look to swap it for a stainless steel braided hose. Use a strainer on the washer hose. Bunnings and similar stores have strainers designed specficially to fit laundry hoses.
3 Buy generic laundry products
A large number of the generic store brand detergents and fabric softeners are produced by top manufacturers still. Find a cheap one that works for you and go with it! You can also add half a cup of baking soda to each wash which enhances the cleaning power of the detergent and allows you to use less. Baking soda also helps regulate the acidity of the water and controls perspiration odour.
4 Avoid fabric softener or switch it with vinegar
Fabric softener can build up on your clothes and in your washer, and most mainstream brands contain ingredients that are endocrine disrupters. If you stop using fabric softener you will likely not even notice a difference. Alternatively, adding half a cup of white distilled vinegar to the final rinse can also do the trick. It’s cheaper, helps loosen detergent clinging to the clothes (ensuring they remain soft) and leaves you with a fresh smelling washer.
5 – Only wash when you have a full load
This can seem like a no brainer but it’s amazing how often people do a wash with a half empty machine. Utilising a full load saves on water, electricity and detergent. The more people in your household the easier this is, as long as you are organised!
6 Air dry your clothes outside
Each load you do in a dryer costs around 50 cents in terms of energy usage. Drying your clothes on a line outside not only saves you money but fresh air drying can even prevent wrinkles and reduce the need for ironing. And we all hate ironing!
7 Avoid ironing your clothes
If you follow the previous suggestion, you will minimise the amount of clothes that need ironing. And for that ones that still do, we have another tip. Decide in advance what you’re going to wear, and hang the item up in the bathroom as you shower. The steam will smooth out the wrinkles. It’s that simple!
If you have any other money saving tips in the laundry, we’d love to hear them.