Water Saving Laundry Tips

Laundry can waste a lot of water but you can lessen the water flow and save money on water costs by following these tips:

Upgrade smart: You may not need an efficient washing machine this very second, but the next time you upgrade make sure to choose a water efficient washing machine. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers come in front-load or redesigned top-load designs. Both include innovations that help save substantial amounts of water. For example, look for a No Central Agitator front-loader washing machine model that tumbles clothes through a small amount of water instead of rubbing clothes in a full tub of water. Advanced top loaders use wash systems that either flip or spin clothes through a reduced stream of water. Both designs dramatically reduce the amount of hot water used in the wash cycle. Visit ENERGY STAR to learn more.

Separating laundry is overrated: Of course throwing a red shirt in with white towels is nuts but many people wash half loads simply because they don't have enough of one sort of laundry. It's not water efficient to be so picky all the time. Bedding, baby items, clothing, cloth napkins, jeans and more can all be washed together (minus odd colors). Beyond colors divide laundry into delicate and not delicate. 

Buy stuff you can actually wash: Buying hard to wash items or items that do absolutely need to be washed alone, will waste water. When purchasing clothing, bedding, and other textiles, base part of your decision on ease of care.

Babies aren’t that sensitive: Pediatrician usually note that so long as you use a fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent you can wash baby items with adult items. Very tiny baby items take up little space and may equal small, inefficient loads. The only time to wash baby’s clothing in a separate load is if he happens to have seriously sensitive skin and a more delicate baby wash is needed, or if he’s a preemie, which may make him more sensitive (ask your pediatrician).

Hand washing can save water on super dedicates… but: Only if you fill a basin, or the sink, then turn the water off. Lots of folks tend to wash as the water runs, but it’s unnecessary.

Don’t be so fresh: Towels and bedding can be used a lot. Most clothing can be worn more than once. Cloth napkins in a fairly tidy meal environment can be used for the next meal too.