Money Saving Laundry Tips (2024)

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I’m participating in The Switch & Save Challenge, trying a variety of Arm & Hammer products and sharing my experiences with you!

Last week I shared my tiger sized stains with you. This week, as part of the Arm & Hammer Switch and Save Challenge, I want to talk about how to trim a little fat in the laundry room.

Most of us are feeling the pinch of the economy and I’m not always the best at being ultra frugal, at least not with coupons. But I will change my habits if the changes are easy and can save me a few bucks over time.

So when it comes to laundry, here are a few things I do to save a little time and money, without feeling like I’m sacrificing anything!

Laundry Tip #1 – Do Full Loads

It takes about the same amount of power, energy and MY time to run a small load of laundry as it does a full load. Given that, if I only have enough laundry for a small load, I wait until I have enough to run a full load.

Laundry Tip #2- Lighten your load

Some people think that they save time and money by cramming as many clothes as possible into the washer and dryer. It actually decreases both machines efficiency, and causes it to work harder, which could lead to an early breakdown.

Laundry Tip #3 – Re-wear Clothes

Why wash something you only had on for a few hours (of course I’m not talking underwear)? or wore as an outer layer? If I didn’t do anything to get sweaty or dirty I have no problem with wearing it a few times before I wash it. Saves me time and a few extra loads of laundry each week.

Laundry Tip #4- Use Cold Water

Did you know that up to 90% of the cost of washing a load of laundry comes from heating the water? Just flipping the switch to cold from warm or hot makes a big difference. Washing with hot water uses more electricity than leaving the refrigerator door open 24 hours a day! Unless you have some really tough stains, cold should work for most loads. BIG bonus, your shirts and towels wont fade as quickly either!

Laundry Tip #5- Don’t use too much Laundry Detergent

Don’t put in more laundry detergent than you need. While the commercials make it look like you need a full cup to do your wash, many times you can get clothes perfectly clean with a fraction of the recommended amount of washing detergent. For most loads, I only use 1/2 of a cap full.

Laundry Tip #6- Use a Good Laundry Detergent

By using a laundry detergent with stain fighting agents and pre soaking heavily soiled clothing, you can avoid rewashing and prolong the life of your clothing. I’ve been using Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Power Gel laundry detergent, it contains Oxi Clean Stain Fighters which has been working wonders on the stains in our laundry.

Laundry Tip #7 – Clean your Dryer Lint

Clean your dryer lint after every load. Your dryer takes longer to dry when it’s trying to push air through lint. A dirty lint screen can mean 30% more energy use. If you use fabric softener sheets, occasionally clean your lint screen with a toothbrush and water, to remove the build up the softener sheets can leave behind.

Laundry Tip #8- Don’t Over Dry

If you are using a dryer, don’t over dry your clothes, and remove promptly to avoid wrinkles. If you do need to “fluff” a load, toss in a damp towel to help remove wrinkles and cut down on ironing.

Laundry Tip #9- Double Spin Clothes

Before tossing a load in the dryer or on the line, turn the knob to “Spin only” and spin the clothes a second time. The centrifugal motion (spinning) helps to get extra water out of the clothes, which in turn take less time to dry in the dryer.

Laundry Tip #10 – Use Fresh Air

Running an electric dryer is expensive and uses a lot of energy. The sun and air are free. Perk – sheets and towels will smell fresher when line dried. You can add half a cup of white vinegar to your wash to improved softness when line drying. Short on space? Try using a retractable clothes line or drying rack.

These laundry tips may not make you rich, but they are easy to do and well, saving a few bucks every month is just a big bonus in my book too.

Like to save money with coupons too? You can head over here to get printable coupons on any Arm & Hammer laundry detergent and other products.

Do you line dry your clothes? I’d love to hear your money saving tips for the laundry room.

This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is compensating me to try different products. Save $1 on any 2 ARM &HAMMER Laundry Detergents. And be sure and head over to The Switch & Save Challenge for the chance to win $25,000.

Steps to successful Laundry
Tiger Sized Stains
How To Remove Mildew Smell From Laundry

FAQs

Is it cheaper to wash clothes after 7pm? ›

If you want to save the most money, read your plan's Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to figure out when your energy rates are cheapest. For instance, a common range for peak hours is between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cheapest time to do laundry for an energy plan with these higher TOU rates is before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m.

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What's the cheapest time to put on a washing machine? ›

Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation. In order to get the best possible wash, you also need to use top-quality products.

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How many dryer sheets per load? ›

Use the product as directed, which generally entails using one sheet for a small to average sized load. You can also reduce usage by throwing a dryer sheet into the laundry once every one to two loads.

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Do dryer balls save money? ›

Yes! Wool dryer balls can help cut down on drying time and energy costs, allowing you to save money while still getting perfectly dried clothing.

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How to save electricity when drying clothes? ›

Use low heat – You'll use less energy with a longer dry cycle at a lower heat setting than with a shorter cycle at a higher temperature. Play ball – Wool or rubber dryer balls help keep your clothes separated, which increases air circulation and reduces static.

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What is the cheapest day to do laundry? ›

Because it's not just about fresh and clean clothes but it is for outsmarting those electricity bills too. Get your laundry done on Sundays or special days. That is because, on these special days, the unit has lower consumption rates, giving your wallet a much-needed break.

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Is it better to do large or small loads of laundry? ›

Always run a full load of laundry

Washers and dryers use about the same amount of electricity to wash a small load as they do a full load. So, it's more efficient to wait to do laundry until you have a full load, but remember -- don't over-stuff your dryer.

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What is the best day of the week to do laundry? ›

After collecting over 60,000 data points over several months, he discovered that Fridays and Sundays are the best days for students to do their laundry. In fact, students are most likely to find open machines on Friday mornings roughly between 10 and 11 a.m. And the worst days to do laundry?

Keep Reading ›

What time of day is electricity most expensive? ›

Time-of-Use Peak Pricing 4-9 p.m. Every Day (E-TOU-C)

4-9 p.m. are higher-priced (peak) times.
All other times are lower-priced (off-peak).

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Is it cheaper to wash clothes on the weekend? ›

Weekends can offer a bit more flexibility, and energy rates may be lower overall. However, many people also have other chores and social plans, so fitting laundry in requires some scheduling. If possible, the same principles of avoiding peak hours still apply.