3 Steps to Save Money, Save Energy, and Reduce CO2, Doing Your Laundry

I’ve been pondering ways to save money and reduce my energy consumption around the house and I stumbled upon interesting ways to save money doing my laundry.

First a few facts:
1) According to a laundry article I found on the City of Concord’s website, doing your laundry has a significant impact on our environment. Did you know that over the lifetime of a T-shirt up to 9 lbs of carbon dioxide can be release in the air just through washing and drying?

These are general usage cost for a family of 4 for a washer and dryer

Clothes washer (with hot water)  -

Electricity kWh/yr -    1,080

Cost /Year - $86

CO2 emitted/yr  1,544

Clothes washer (minus hot water)

Electricity kWh/yr  - 99

Cost /Year $8

CO2 emitted/yr 142

Clothes dryer

Electricity kWh/yr - 1,060  -

Cost /Year  $85 -

CO2 emitted/yr-  1,516

Surprising huh?

So what is my plan? Well, I have a few obstacles but I can still make a difference. First the simple fix……

1) Wash my clothes in cold water. I had no idea that the hot water consumed 90 percent of a washers energy usage.

Second fix a little more challenging but doable……

2) Line dry my clothes. This is FREE SOLAR ENERGY and another big way to save on energy, laundry supplies and to preserve the longevity of your clothing. Have you ever smelled line dried sheets and towels? They are the best! Did you know the sun is a natural whitener as well as a natural antibacterial? A couple of challenges are living in a community that doesn’t let you hang your laundry as mine doesn’t allow you to hand your laundry outside. I’m thinking about hanging my laundry in the garage or  you can watch this funny video clip that is trying to get a petition signed so it is a right to hang your laundry. Check it out here.

Another advantage to line drying is you don’t need to use bleach or fabric softener, just shake, snap and hang your clothes upside down. If you really don’t like the stiffness of your jeans just toss them in the dryer for a couple of minute on wrinkle release.

3) Finally, use a really good biodegradable phosphate free laundry soap.

Here’s a link to some laundry soap options to get you thinking about some eco-friendly brands thank goodness the stores like Walmart, CVS, Target and Safeway are starting to stock eco-friendly laundry products.