When it comes to doing your laundry, the less you spend, the more money you save. Well, hopefully. Not to say that you shouldn’t do some laundry to save money, but let’s be realistic. Most of us don’t want to do it every day, so we’re just going to forgo doing it until it’s just full of bugs and dirt. Then, we rewash everything and end up spending more money than we would have if we had just thrown everything in the washer and thrown it in the dryer and called it a day.
Laundry is a chore, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can save time, money, and energy when you know how to make it less expensive.
By following these nine tips, you’ll learn how to save money doing the laundry.
Save on fabric softener
Laundry can be the biggest household expense, and making it more efficient is important. Learning how to save money on laundry will help you avoid spending a lot of money on cleaning supplies, as well as prevent unnecessary wear and tear on clothes and machines. For example, fabric softener is a big expense, and you can make your own less expensive version at home.
Save on dryer sheets
To save on dryer sheets, use white vinegar. Alternatively, save money by buying cloth towels instead of disposable sheets or making your own homemade dryer sheets with essential oils. Another money-saving laundry tip is to purchase fabric softener sheets in bulk and keep some on hand so that you do not have to run to the store every time you run out of softener. Since dryer sheets can only be used once, they are also not an environmentally friendly option. An alternative could be wool dryer balls, which are multi-use and come with the added bonus of reducing the drying time by up to 50%.
Wash in cold water
Washing clothes in cold water saves money in many ways, perhaps the biggest of which is energy. Cold water uses less energy than hot water, meaning your water heater doesn’t have to work nearly as hard. That’s good for the environment and also for your wallet since your energy bills will go down.
Buy bundle deals
Saving money on laundry bills may rank up there with saving gas money-the two go hand in hand. Living in a low- or zero-income household, finding the extra cash for laundry products is often difficult. But it’s possible to save plenty of money by bundling your laundry products.
Make more heat
Add a piece of aluminium foil under your ironing board cover to make ironing easier and more energy-efficient. The foil will help to retain heat, allowing you to iron faster or at a lower temperature.
Iron inside-out
Did you know you can cut your laundry costs simply by ironing your laundry inside-out? Make sure you iron on the inside out with the underside facing you rather than the top. By doing so, your clothes will be pressed properly on both sides, cutting down on wrinkles and cutting down on drying times. Don’t let your iron get rusty – wash it regularly and clean the steam holes. Also, remember that the surface you iron on should be clean and suitable for ironing as it could stain your clothes. The best option here would be to use an ironing board (click here to find some good options) to get the desired results.
Wash only full loads
With laundry detergent prices continuing to skyrocket, more people are looking for ways to save money on household products. Most people know that washing only full loads is the best way to save money with laundry.
Buy store brand
Saving money on the laundry is easier than you may think. Start by switching to store-brand detergent, laundry soap, and softener. Brand name products have a lot in common, and for the most part, the only price difference is the name. Many of the name-brand products even use the same packaging. When you compare the price per ounce, you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save.
Quick drying
Laundry is a chore no one wants to do. Yet it has to be done. So, even if you desperately need to fold that load of laundry, don’t do it. Just hang it on the line. If you want your clothes to dry quickly, maybe invest in a tumble dryer (called wasdroger in Dutch) or a 2-in-1 washing machine that comes with an inbuilt dryer setting. It could be a one-time expense and can last for years while reducing the time and energy required in drying soaking wet clothes.
After reading this article, take the following tips to heart. When doing laundry, use cold water. Many washers and dryers have a cold-water setting. You can also save money by using bleach tablets in your washing machine rather than buying liquid bleach.
