How to Save Money on Your Laundry
An easy way to get some extra money to pay off debt faster and save more money is by reducing your household expenses.
Washing your clothing may not seem like a huge expense, but according to PureWash, if you do 8 loads of laundry per week, you spend approximately $665.66 per year doing laundry!
This cost includes money spent on detergent, heating water, bleach, and fabric softener.
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If you have kids, do more loads of laundry per week, or buy more expensive brands, your expense could easily be over $1,000 a year.
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Here are many easy ways to save money on laundry you haven’t thought of.
#1 USE WOOL DRYER BALLS
Wool dryer balls are used to reduce clothing drying time, naturally soften your clothes, and eliminate the need for dryer sheets AND fabric softener.
They last 2 to 4 YEARS!
These wool dryer balls have been reviewed by over 20,000 people on Amazon and have a 4.5 star rating because of their quality.
Click photo to read reviews
An added bonus is it helps remove pet hair and reduces the need for ironing.
#2 BUY GENERIC
An easy way to save money on laundry is by stocking up on detergent when it’s on sale.
Because we aren’t loyal to any specific brand, we save the most money buying generic brands or we buy brand names when they’re on sale.
#3 USE LESS
I am guilty of having a heavy hand when it comes to laundry detergent.
Keep in mind, detergent is concentrated, which means you can actually use less than the recommended amount. Using less laundry detergent will save you money and unless your clothing is extremely soiled, it shouldn’t have any effect on cleanliness because the agitation from the water alone removes the majority of the dirt.
#4 WASH USING COLD WATER
Not only is using cold water gentler on your clothing, but it’s cheaper too.
Unless your clothing is greasy of very dirty, try to use cold water.
#5 WASH FULL LOADS
Use less water and energy by doing full loads.
If you don’t have enough laundry for a full load either hold off or see if you can set the water level to be lower for that particular load.
#6 DRY LAUNDRY OUTSIDE
I love drying my laundry outside, weather permitting.
My mom bought me this foldable clothing rack to dry my clothes and I love it.
Drying your clothes outside will save you money and I love the fresh smell it gives my clothes.
Growing up my mom always dried our clothes outside because we didn’t have much money. One time she had them outside and they literally froze solid!
I don’t recommend putting them out in the winter even if it is sunny out lol.
#7 SEPARATE LOADS FOR DRYING
Jeans, towels and comforters take a long time to dry while t-shirts, pillowcases and underwear dry faster.
Separate your loads for the dryer by weight/fabric type so the articles of clothing dry in roughly the same amount of time.
#8 CLEAN MACHINES REGULARLY
I clean my lint collector every time I run my dryer.
We just recently had the vent professionally cleaned. You’d be amazed at how much dust and lint collects in your dryer vent. I even noticed that our dryer worked a lot faster after having it cleaned.
Regularly cleaning your machines ensure you’re doing your laundry more efficiently.
#9 DO LAUNDRY BACK-TO-BACK
When you put your clothing in the dryer, try to do loads back to back.
The next load will be able to use the residual heat left in the machine from the previous load.
#10 USE ENERGY EFFICIENT MACHINES
Newer model machines tend to use less water, making them cheaper to use.
Check to see if your washing machine has the option to use less water for your smaller loads.
Energy efficient machines are usually front loading and cost slightly more than standard machines. If you do a lot of loads of laundry, it will pay for itself in under 6 years.
#11 MAKE YOUR OWN DETERGENT
The Spruce has 10 DIY laundry product recipes from powdered detergent, to liquid detergent, to gentle wool wash.
Not only is is cheaper making your own laundry products, but you also have control over the kinds of ingredients you add in if you want a specific scent or something natural.
#12 OFF PEAK HOURS
This laundry money saving tip is one you probably haven’t heard of.
Some utility companies offer cheaper rates during their non-peak hours, which can save you several hundred dollars a year.
Call your utility company to see if they offer a program or just cheaper time periods when you can do your laundry and save money.
#13 DON’T OVER DRY CLOTHES
My dryer has a moisture sensor, which means once my laundry is dry the dryer will turn off.
Sometimes my clothes are still a little moist and I have to run the dryer a little bit longer. This is fine because I still save electricity without running the dryer for a longer time that necessary.
#14 AVOID BUYING DRY CLEAN ONLY CLOTHING
Dry cleaning expenses can add up very quickly.
Just because a garment tag says dry clean only, it doesn’t mean you have to. Things you need to consider are fabric, can it be hand washed, will it shrink, etc.
My daughter’s school uniform is labeled dry clean only, but I am able to gently wash them in cold water and air dry with zero troubles.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy dry clean only clothing, but just be mindful when you’re spending a lot of money. I wouldn’t risk washing a dry clean item myself if I spent a pretty penny on it.
#15 LONGER SPIN CYCLE
If you’re washing heavy knit items, jackets or comforters, consider running your washer on a longer spin cycle. This will help wring out the excess water so your clothing can dry faster.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Saving money washing and drying your clothes won’t make you rich, but the savings can add up fast.
Since writing this post I have significantly cut back on the amount of detergent I use and don’t notice any difference in cleanliness or smell.
Start off by doing full loads of laundry, reducing the amount of cleaning supplies you use per load, and drying your clothing outside on a nice day.
Once you start seeing some savings from your monthly laundry bill, take the difference and sock it away. At the end of the year you’ll have some extra cash to pay a bill or just have fun!
How else do you save money doing your laundry? Share in the comments.
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