A Laundry List of Helpful Clothes Washing Tips

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Posted June 1, 2017

We may not be able to do your laundry for you, but we can make the experience less expensive and more energy-efficient. We can’t help you separate your colors, but we can give you advice on going green.

It’s estimated that your washing machine makes up about 7% of your energy bill. A higher percentage than you thought? As the washer is cleaning your clothes, it’s also cleaning out your wallet. Keep your loads and your energy bill light with this Laundry List of Helpful Clothes Washing Tips from Hiller.

Get Clean, Go Green

Our tips will help you reduce energy costs and be more environmentally conscious. Your clothes will be just as clean, but without the waste. And with that extra money you save on energy, you can go out and get some new clothes! It’s a win for your washing machine and for your wallet.

1. Cold Water Wash – According to Energy Star, 90% of energy used by the washing machine is for heating water and only 10% goes to powering the motor. Lower your temperature settings for a more efficient wash. Whenever you can use cold water for your load, do it. Unless you need to run a hot water cycle to remove grease stains or wash whites, pick the warm or cold option. You can also consider cold-water detergents specifically designed for lower temperatures. Additionally, always turn the washing machine on cold-water rinse.
2. Turn Down Thermostat – Head to your water heater and turn down the thermostat for energy savings. Most homes are set to around 140-degrees. Setting the thermostat to 120-degrees, if adequate for your home’s needs, is recommended to help with energy savings when running hot water loads. Reducing your hot water heater temperature is another helpful tip for energy conscious clothes washing.
3. Maximize your machine – Maximize the space in your washer by washing full-size loads. Washing smaller loads uses unnecessary water and excess energy. Separate your colors and wait to do the load until there are enough clothing items of a particular kind. Regardless of how many clothing items you put in, the machine will use the same amount of water. Save time, water, and energy with this simple tip.
4. When it’s dry, it’s dry – There’s no need to over-dry your clothes. Auto-dry your clothing so that it doesn’t run over. Drying uses excessive energy, especially if you’re used to doing things like adding wet items halfway through a load.
5. Always clean the dryer filter – A clogged filter makes it so your dryer cannot perform at its peak. After every drying session, remove the filter and clear it for the next load. A film can build up if you use dryer sheets, so lightly scrub your filter when needed.

An earth-friendly laundry routine is beneficial for your home and our planet. Energy Star estimates that the average household does 400 loads of laundry annually. This uses 13,500 gallons of water! Operating costs, energy consumption, and water usage are all addressed by following some of Hiller’s helpful clothing tips.

Check out these laundry-related statistics:

For more on best clothes washing practices, visit Energy Star and check out these additional statistics compiled by Treehugger:  

• 90 percent: Amount of total of energy used by a typical washing machine to heat the water; only 10 percent is used to power the motor.
• 34 million tons: Amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be saved if every U.S. household used only cold water for washing clothes–that’s nearly 8 percent of the Kyoto target for the U.S.
• 99 pounds: Amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved per household each year by running only full loads of laundry.
• 700 pounds: Amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved each year by line-drying your family’s laundry. You’d save 75 bucks, too.
• 7,000 gallons: Amount of water saved per year by a typical front-loading washing machine compared to a top-loading washing machine.
• 88 percent: Average increase in energy efficiency for a washing machine between 1981 and 2003.
• 49: Percentage of laundry loads run with warm water in the U.S. 37 percent are run with cold water and 14 percent with hot.

Sources: StopGlobalWarming.org, Ready, Set, Green, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, U.S. Department of Energy & Energy Star

Dedicated Circuits for Your Laundry Room

Your washer and dryer needs a dedicated 20-amp circuit according to the National Electrical Code. This circuit can power both your washer and dryer.

Other appliances that need dedicated circuits include:

• Ovens and Electric Ranges
• Refrigerators and Freezers
• Dishwashers
• Garbage Disposals
• HVAC units
• Water Heaters
• Sump Pumps
• Hot Tubs and Saunas
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Since large appliances normally draw more power than a circuit can handle, dedicated circuits are needed to prevent frequently tripping breakers and potential overheating.

The National Electrical Code also requires all outlets in the laundry room to be GFCI-protected.

Contact the electrical experts at Hiller to ensure that all of your large appliances are wired properly with the correct amperage for their needs.

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