Laundry is one of the most maddening jobs around the house...the repetition, the nastiness and even the expense can drive a person mad over time. If you have a large family and do copious amounts of laundry, you are spending a small fortune in all probability.
It is no small wonder that people just like you are constantly looking for ways to save on laundry. It can make a huge difference in the budget!
Here are seven powerful tips that will make a marked difference for your laundry budget over time:
Switch Laundry Detergents - the most popular laundry detergent in this country also happens to be about 2 to 3 times as expensive as many other brands out there that work just as well. With a sale at the grocery store, I can usually get brands like Purex and Arm & Hammer for about $2.50 or less - and that is without using coupons!
Look I get it - you may have been raised that a certain "orange bottle brand" is considered the "gold standard" of laundry detergents. Get over it and start checking out other brands and stock up when it is on sale and you will save a ton of money!
Wash in Cold or Warm Water - Although simple, switching to mostly cold or warm water washes is a powerful way to save money. Hot water is a bit more expensive because of the energy required to get it hot. Why spend the extra money when your clothes will be just as clean? Use cold or warm water and you will save a good deal of cash over time (of course, if you have babies, I would still wash any clothes that survived an "accident" in hot water!)
Make Sure Every Load is Full - Washing half loads of laundry wastes water and laundry detergent all in one fell swoop. If you want to toss the cash down the drain, why not play the lottery? At least you have a tiny chance of a return on your investment. Fill that washing machine up before you press the start button!
Upgrade Your Washer - Today’s models of washing machines are incredibly efficient and can save you tons of cash simply by upgrading (as well as help your laundry routine be better for the environment!). When your budget allows, spend a few bucks and upgrade to one of these models.
Use Less Detergent - The average person uses far more detergent than is necessary for their laundry. In fact, some say that you can use half of the recommended amount on the labels. The best way to figure out what works for you is to wash several loads with varying amounts of detergent and find the sweet spot. The detergent companies have a vested interest in wanting you to use more of their product, so why just blindly trust them?
Air Dry Your Laundry - The clothes line is still a wonderful way to save money and it is absolutely free. Clothes that dry on the line are so clean and fresh smelling when they are done...why even fire up that expensive dryer when you don’t have to? If you live in an area that doesn't allow clotheslines, you can always buy a folding drying rack and use it on your patio or even a well-ventilated spot in your home!
Get Rid of the Iron - Irons are really no longer needed in the modern world. Simply use the settings correctly on your dryer, or hang them outside your bathroom as you shower to get the clothes wrinkle free. If you have sensitive garments, take them to the dry cleaners. Irons end up ruining your clothes and shortening their lives anyway.
What other tips are you aware of for saving money on laundry?
Dean
This was a wonderful article outlining how to save on your laundry. For those that are looking to save, these 7 tidbits will dramatically cut the cost of your clothes cleaning. The first tip alone on choosing less popular brands is already saving you $2.50. Imagine what all of these tips put together would save. Thanks for sharing this valuable resource with us!