I’m a creature of habit. I get into a routine and like to do things the same way. That’s true when it comes to my laundry habits. Aside from the water temperature, I typically always wash our clothes on the same cycle, regardless of how dirty they are. That is a big waste of energy and water costs.
The next time you go to wash a load, take a good look at your cycle options. If the load you are washing isn’t grimy, grass-stained baseball uniforms, adjust the cycle length accordingly. If it’s a normal load with little hard stains, a light wash cycle is probably all you need. My washing machine has a “rapid wash” setting that cleans my everyday loads perfectly fine in about half the time.
Simply taking a few seconds to determine the level of dirtiness of your clothes and then adjusting your settings accordingly will save you on your electricity bills! You can apply this same thing to the dish washer and avoid a full wash cycle if the dishes don’t require it. You probably have a quick wash setting on the dishwasher as well!
Do you adjust your wash cycle every time or are you a creature of habit like me?
~Mavis
Eileen says
Definitely a creature of habit! I hadn’t really given the savings much thought but I’ll be checking the washing machine settings and the dishwasher too. And now that you mention it, maybe I’ll take a look at the settings for the dryer, as well. Thanks, Mavis-a lower electric bill would be awesome!
Debi says
I used to be a creature of habit but I have changed my ways! It started when we had to purchase a new washer and it had a special cycle for washing sheets and towels. I started there and now I always use the appropriate setting. I can’t say that I noticed a difference in my electric bill though.
VickiBee says
When we moved this past spring, our new landlord had just installed brand new appliances. I’d love to say I change the settings with each load in order to save money/energy, but I really do it just to play with the buttons …
Jamie says
I have a double hamper with a white liner on one side and a blue on the other in the laundry room. Not having hampers in the kids rooms helps keep their rooms stinky free, and frees up floor space. Also helps keep the temptation of throwing clean clothes in with the dirty when they’re lazy and don’t want to put them away. I do a load of laundry as soon as I have a full load, average 1.5 loads a day. I usually start a load in the morning and change it after breakfast, or before I go to bed and put it in the dryer in the morning. Kids have to collect their clothes and put away from the sofa. If they can’t find something and they didn’t wear it within the last day or two, they misplaced it and it’s not my problem. Less lost socks too!
An added benefit is stains don’t have time to set in, or bacteria to grow and smell. I leave the washer door ajar and have never had any smelly problems. I also can keep a smaller wardrobe.
I do change my cycles on my washer, dryer, and dishwasher. Not something I have always done, but I realized shorter cycle times and warm or cold water mean less wear/tare/shrinkage and keep clothes looking new longer.
I do love the long/hot/sanitary cycles when I have raw meat cutting boards in the dishwasher, or the boys have been camping and their clothes smell like a campfire!
I’m a little obsessive with laundry! I think I enjoy it more because I don’t have a laundry day! Last year we had some power outages from storms and it was nice to know we had clean clothes to wear. I had some friends who had to go buy some because they missed laundry day.
I know you love to ask questions and read comments. I’m surprised you didn’t ask how much sugar people bought last week and where they’re storing it. So many people have referenced it in comments!
Heather says
We change with every load. And we air dry as much as possible. I added a bathroom fan to a coat closet, we crack the door, and hang clothes to dry there. Then they are already hung and ready to move to the bedroom closet
Speaking of penny pinching- I went to a bar that has specials on taco Tuesday. If you order in the bar, tacos are $1. If you order them to go, they are $2.99 a piece. I took my lunch bag in, ordered six tacos. I drank two beers and two tacos, put the other 4 in my lunch bag to take home for my family. My friends say it’s cheating, I say I purchased beer and tacos, ate at the business and the others are my leftovers. I didn’t ask for any extra boxes. What do there think?
Jamie says
We just got back from Europe. Everything was £1 more to eat in the restaurants than take away and said it right on the menu. So funny it is completely opposite over here!
I would assume they are hoping people will buy other higher priced items eating in the store which it sounds like you do. You also order 6 which I know a teenager could down in one sitting no problem. Sounds like you are a regular and I think if the restaurant had a problem with your method they would let you know 🙂 Just my opinion.
pamela says
I am partly both a creature of habit and I change settings. I wash several different types of loads throughout the month so I adjust accordingly. Even if I change the cycle type I might also change the temp or soil type. For example I wear uniform shirts to work and always wash them on “delicate” (or whatever that setting is called on my machine) and warmer water with a heavier soil selection. I also wash my jeans on “delicate” but cold-lowest soil selection- and longest spin time because I air dry them.
Kirsten G says
We’re on Time Of Use billing for our hydro bill. TOU pricing reflects the cost of producing electricity at different times of day based on demand. TOU pricing has three periods: on peak, when energy demand and cost is high, mid-peak, when energy demand and cost is moderate, and off-peak, when energy demand and cost is low.
TOU pricing ultimately gives you more control over your electricity bill. By adjusting your usage habits, TOU pricing enables you to save money during hours when electricity is more expensive.
May 1 – October 31: In summer, electricity use peaks during the hottest part of the afternoon, when air conditioners are running on high. On-peak hours are mid-day.
November 1 – April 30: In winter, less daylight means electricity use peaks twice: once in the morning when people wake up and turn on their lights and appliances, then again when people get home from work. There are two sets of on-peak hours to reflect this.
No matter which season, on weekends and holidays the cheapest rates are in effect all day.
I’m pretty good about doing laundry and running the dishwasher during the off-peak times, 7pm to 7am on weekdays, or I wait until the weekend to do the laundry.
Off-peak
6.5 ¢/kWh
Mid-peak
9.5 ¢/kWh
On-peak
13.2 ¢/kWh