As more people become unemployed, begin retirement or fall into other circumstances with reduced incomes, the idea of saving money gains momentum. Yet, while many people would like to save a buck or two here and there, they don't really know how to live more economically. Laundry tips that could save you a lot of money are a good place to begin.
Cold water
By doing your laundry in cold water, you will see an immediate savings in your utility bill. During the heating cycle, a washing machine requires a lot of power. By eliminating hot water, less power is required. Cold water also will do your laundry a favor. Clothes will last longer and are less likely to shrink or fade.
Wait for a full load
Unless you have a washing machine that can operate on a half cycle, it's always wise to wait until you have a full load to start the washer. Front-loading machines use about 10 to 24 gallons of water, while top-loading machines go through 40 gallons. With these figures in mind, washing just a few items clearly is a waste of energy, water and soap.
Separate colors
Washing whites, blacks and colors together is asking for trouble. Putting whites and blacks together will make the whites go grey, while by putting whites and bright colors, such as red, together, you could end up pink underwear. By separating colors, you will save money because you won't have to replace any mistakes.
Use a stain remover
If clothes are badly stained, rather than washing them over and over again -- or worse, discarding them -- treat the areas with a stain remover. Read the directions carefully. Be sure to test the product first on a less visible area of the garment to avoid fading the fabric you are trying to clean.
Re-wear and re-use
One of the easiest laundry tips that could save you a lot of money is simply stretching out the time between washings. While a change of underwear and socks is a daily necessity, you may not need to throw a skirt or pants in the wash if you have only worn it for a few hours.
The same goes for sheets and towels. A hotel provides you with a change of sheets and towels every day, but is this really necessary at home? In most cases, you can go at least a week before throwing any of them in the wash.
Drying your laundry
If you are able to air-dry laundry, you can save more money. Smaller items can be placed on a drying rack placed on a patio or balcony, for example. This habit will help lower your electric bill.
If you have to use a tumble dryer, try to dry items of the same materials at the same time. Drying a load of shirts with one or two bath towels will prolong the drying process versus shirts dried alone.
Read the label
You also can save money simply by reading the care label on your clothes. If the label states "hand wash only" or "wash in cold water," adhere to these instructions. Ignoring the label or taking chances could damage your garments.
New clothes
Take new clothes to the dry cleaner. By having them dry cleaned before washing them, they will keep their shape and colors longer. If possible, avoid buying anything new that requires dry cleaning. You may fall in love with that beautiful silk blouse, but dry cleaning it will cost you money over and over again.
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