If you’re interested in developing environmentally-friendly habits, then you may want to consider picking up a few efficiency tips to make running things around the house cheaper. There are a couple of excellent ways to do this, and we’ll be covering four ways you can make your laundry days more efficient.
Understand your washing machine’s settings
Your washing machine probably has a number of different settings to pick from. The energy-efficient options are generally quick washes that use less water. You should also aim to heat the water to a lower temperature if possible and use a shorter spin cycle. This does mean that your clothes will be wetter when they come out of the wash, but it’ll ensure they last longer. Hang them up to dry afterwards or put them into your dryer if you’re sure the fabric won’t be damaged. Just make sure they’re being washed long enough to clean out any stains.
Keep your washer and dryer well-maintained
If your washer and dryer are fairly old then you’ll want to consider regular maintenance to ensure they’re running correctly. A dryer vent cleaning service will help ensure that your dryer can dry your clothes efficiently and will also solve any efficiency issues you’re running into. In some cases, washing machines can start smelling bad due to mold buildup, so it’s a good idea to wash it every month. You may need to use some kind of solution to remove heavy mold buildup or strange smells.
Save higher temperatures and longer washes for deep stains
Try and save any clothes with deep stains for a different wash cycle. For caked-in mud and stubborn stains, you should wash at a higher temperature for a little longer. This will take a bit of trial and error to see how far you can push it. If you’re facing some serious stains that won’t come out even with a longer wash cycle, you may need to start hand washing those clothes to remove stubborn dirt and grime.
Pre-soak your clothes before washing
If you find that washing on lower temperatures and for shorter durations isn’t giving your clothes a good clean, then you may want to consider pre-soaking them before placing them in the washer. Pre-soaking involves adding detergent or stain remover to a large bucket or tub, filling it with warm water and then soaking your clothes in it. In most cases, you should only do this for clothes that have heavy or stubborn stains. However, doing it for all of your clothes means you can set your washer on a much shorter cycle which means less energy and water spent. It’ll also help your clothes last longer.
Between carrying out home fixes and changing the way you wash your clothes, there are a number of ways to ensure that your laundry days stay energy efficient. While it does require a slight change in the way you clean your clothes, it’s well worth the improved longevity of your clothes and the cost savings of running your washer and dryer less.
