Save More—and Waste Less—in the Laundry Room

Live greener and spend less by trying these easy tactics.

• Run full loads. It may seem obvious, but given that the Energy Star program has found the average household does 300 loads of laundry a year, many of us may be guilty of doing energy-wasting mini-loads.

• Be stingy with detergent. Consumer Reports’ testing reveals that 1.5 ounces are plenty for an average load. Use more and you’re washing money down the drain. Plus, excess detergent could leave residue on your clothes (and chemicals can escape into soil and water).

Consumer Reports’ testing has found cold water to be as effective at cleaning as warmer water. (Note that liquid detergents dissolve more easily in colder water than powder types; see a top-rated liquid detergent from CR’s testing, below.) Also, set your water heater to 120° F instead of 140° F. Doing so may help you save over $400 per year.

Your washer and dryer are undoubtedly household MVPs, destaining your favorite shirt and fluffing up your softest towels. Here’s how to keep these appliances in top condition.

• Even things up. Make sure your washing machine is level. During the spin cycle, it can hit 1,600 rpm; if the appliance is off-kilter, that velocity can cause damage. If yours is wobbly, extend the feet individually to adjust. Use a level to evaluate on all sides, then tighten the lock nuts on the feet into place.

• Minimize mold. If your washer has a self-clean feature, use it as recommended to prevent mold. If not, run an empty load on hot with a cup of bleach (and an extra rinse cycle to remove bleach residue), then wipe down, clean, and dry the gaskets, and dry the door and detergent tray. Also, leave the door ajar on front-loaders after use (unless little kids are around) or open the lid on a top-loader to help moisture evaporate.

• Don’t overload the tub. To avoid overtaxing your washer, fill front-loaders to the top, with the drum lightly packed. The door should close easily. For top-loaders, fill just to the maximum fill line or up to the plastic ring.

• Examine water intake hoses. If they’re brittle or cracking, replace them. Not doing so could lead to a flood.

• Clean lint filters diligently. If your dryer filter is clogged, it may run longer to dry clothes, which could wear it out faster.

• Swap out all accordion-style ducts for rigid metal ones. The accordion ones can allow lint buildup, decreasing efficiency and increasing the risk of a fire.

• Brush well. With a vacuum and special brush, clean the duct annually to remove lint. You may need to take it apart in sections to do so.

If your laundry machines aren’t working, you may think you have to start shopping. But repairs can often be made for (much) less, so consider these out-of-pocket repair costs for common problems from Consumer Reports’ recent member surveys:

Dryers’ Median Out-of-Pocket Repair Costs: $133-$215
Most common problems: Clothes not drying, tangled or balled-up clothes, problems with the dryer’s drum (rollers, belt, motor, unusual noise while operating).

Washers’ Median Out-of-Pocket Repair Costs: $155
Most common problems: Tangled or balled-up clothes, odor.

Take your electric dryer. Whether you should repair or replace it depends on how much it will cost you, its age, and its potential repair cost vs. the cost of a new dryer. Our interactive tool, below, takes this information into account to help you figure out whether it’s worth paying a pro to repair your dryer or if you’re better off buying a new one.

As an example, if the electric dryer you spent $700 on 9 years ago breaks down and it’s going to cost $200 to fix, a new dryer purchase may be worth it. If the machine is 3 years old and you spent $1,100 on it, making that $200 repair is more logical.

Who cares when you do your laundry? Your utility company might. Some charge more for electricity at peak hours, usually weekday working hours (check with your provider). If yours does this, you can save a bit by doing laundry and other energy-intensive chores in the evenings or on weekends. For example, PSEG Long Island in New York discounts standard rates by 40 percent during what it calls “super off-peak” hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily). For six loads a week, if you put two in the dryer before going to bed (after 10 p.m.), you’ll save $21.48 per year, depending on the size of your dryer.

What makes CR’s Green Choice washers different from other models? Our environmental assessments include water efficiency, energy efficiency, brand reliability, gentleness, weight, and volume. Green Choice models are easier on your clothes and use fewer natural resources. Here are four of CR’s top-rated Green Choice front-load, top-load HE, and top-load agitator washers.

Need a new washer or dryer? Go with Energy Star certified appliances. These washers use 25 percent less energy (saving you about $38 a year) and 40 percent less water than conventional ones, and the dryers use 20 percent less energy, saving you about $16 (electric) or $5.41 (natural gas) per year. You may also be able to snag a rebate.

The CR Recommended electric dryers below earned our top score for reliability in our annual member surveys.