Be Efficient When Washing Laundry

Quick Facts Affordability Cost Savings CO2 Reduction		Using cold water is the single most important way to reduce the energy consumption of your washing machine. The next most important step is to use an energy-efficient machine. A front-loading, ENERGY STAR®-approved washing machine will save both water and energy. Affordability About 90% of the energy consumption of washing machines [PDF, 160 Kb] is for heating water. If you wash and rinse your laundry with cold water, you’ll save this energy and most fabrics will last longer.    Cost savings By switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week, you could save up to $27 per year on your energy bill. Health & comfort Unlike dishwashers, washing machines can wash with great results in cold water. In fact, many fabrics last longer and fade less when washed cold and hung to dry. Front-load washers can save you time as they hold larger loads. They will also keep your clothes looking better longer. Environmental considerations In addition to minimizing energy use, protecting fresh water resources is a key concern. Choose detergents that are biodegradable and avoid using chlorine bleach. If you need to whiten your whites, there are natural bleaches available that work well without polluting the water. Look for them in your local health food or natural products stores.

What you need to know

• Load the washer to capacity when possible. Most people tend to under-load their washing machines. One large load of laundry will use less energy than two small or medium loads.
• For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load.
• The permanent press wash cycle uses extra water, as much as 20 litres for the additional rinse.
• The amount of detergent you require depends on the kind of detergent you are using and the mineral make up (hardness or softness) of your water. Too much detergent makes your machine work harder and uses more energy. The manual for your washing machine should indicate the amount of soap to use in hard or soft water. Contact your local water utility to find out how hard or soft your water is.
• With heavy loads, adding an extra spin cycle can reduce dry times.

Taking it further

• If you're in the market for a new washing machine, purchase a front-loading washer to save water and energy.
• Front-load washing machines do not have agitators, the large paddle-devices in the centre of top loaders. This gives them on average 30% more capacity for clothes. The extra space also improves washing of bulky items like sleeping bags, bedspreads and throw rugs.
• Front loaders spin more rapidly than top loaders, so clothes come out drier, which reduces drying time and protects fabrics. As of 2007, ENERGY STAR-rated washing machines use 35–50% less water and at least 36% less energy per load than standard machines.
• If you don’t have an efficient machine and aren’t in a position to buy one, find a local laundry that has energy-efficient front loading machines, many of them do. Doing laundry could become a social occasion.
• Make your machine run on pedal power. With a little tinkering, old washing machines can be made to run on calories instead of electricity. You can also make one using bicycle parts and barrels or large tubs. Make a portable one so you can wash outside in the summertime.
• Put a timer on the outlet for the washer and dryer to reduce phantom loads when not in use.

FAQ

ENERGY STAR appliances usually cost more than others. Would I save money if I don’t buy an ENERGY STAR washing machine but I keep it well maintained?
No. It is always a good idea to keep any appliance well maintained for optimum performance, but even so, ENERGY STAR-rated washing machines are so much more efficient than other models – 36% more efficient than government standards – that they generally pay for themselves in just a few years. Think of an appliance as having two prices: the cost to buy it and the cost to run it. The higher cost of running less energy-efficient appliances quickly cancels out the lower purchase price.

If I only wash in cold water, will my clothes still get as clean?
Yes. Clothes can come out just as clean in cold water, even whites. If you have hard water, try adding some borax to your laundry to brighten whites and colours. You can also add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle for fresh bright laundry, or use natural biodegradable, non chlorinated bleach on your whites if you find they are not bright enough. Hanging your laundry in the sun to dry it will also act as a brightener. Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent. You can also spot clean stains that come out more easily in hot water before you launder them. The stains will likely come out more readily and you will use less energy than you would by heating a whole load of hot water.