Laundry

Graphic that says "Laundry"
  • Clean your dryer's lint filter after every load to improve air circulation.
  • Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
  • If you're drying multiple loads, dry them one right after the other - you'll use less energy since the dryer is already heated.
  • If you're on the market for a new clothes washer, consider buying an Energy Star labeled model. It will use up to 50% less energy and 40% less water.
  • Make sure you don't waste energy by over-drying your clothes. If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it; it detects when clothes are dry and shuts the dryer off automatically.
  • New microwave clothes dryers dry clothes in about 15% less time and use 15% less energy than typical dryers.
  • A new technology called Horizontal Axis Washing Machines (HWMs) use less energy and water than regular machines - and with the money you save, an HWM can pay for itself in 3 to 3 1/2 years.
  • Periodically check your dryer vent to make sure it's not blocked - this saves energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents, which can collapse and cause blockages.
  • To save energy, wash full loads in the coolest water possible, and always rinse clothes in cold water.
  • Using your dryer's cool-down cycle will allow clothes to finish drying with the lingering heat.
  • When washing clothes, always run a full load for maximum savings, or set the controls for smaller loads.