Laundry is one of those chores that can really drain the bank account, sometimes a quarter at a time. With some planning and foresight you can save some money at the laundromat or save some on your electric or gas bill as well.Laundromat or common laundry facility:
RUN FULL LOADS: Prices don’t change for washing less so running a full load is the most cost-effective.
DRY CLOTHS ON RACK OR CLOTHS LINE: This may take longer, but it will save the extra quarters to run the dryer.
SHOP AROUND: Sometimes the cheapest option isn’t the one in the building or just down the street. Shopping for a cheaper laundromat may require some looking but will save you money in the long run.
CLEAN LINT SCREEN REGULARLY: By keeping the lint screen clean air flows easier and it allows your dryer to dry faster and more efficiently.
Personal Washer/Dryer:
WASH IN COLD WATER: If you pay for your water heater either through an electricity bill or gas bill this will save money. There are certain detergents that are designed to work with cold-water washing and they typically cost the same as the standard detergents.
DRY CLOTHS ON RACK OR CLOTHS LINE: This saves money just like if you were to wash at a laundromat.
SET LOAD SIZE: This helps conserve water and lower your water bill and it also allows you to use less detergent to match the load size.
USE EFFICIENT WASHER: This also helps save water and keep your water bill (and water heater bill) lower.
KEEP LINT SCREEN CLEAN: By keeping the lint screen clean air flows easier and it allows your dryer to dry faster. This also helps extend the life of your dryer since it doesn’t need to work as hard.
These simple steps can help make your laundry day a little more affordable. The fewer loads you do and the more conscious you are about water temperature and the lint screen the easier the machines run and the less you pay in the long run. You may also want to try saving your quarters and dollar bills in a jar or something so you don’t have to get cash to do laundry you will simply have it ready to go.
Do you have any other ideas to help save money on laundry day? Leave us your hints in the comments below.
Also see our article on Saving Energy and our other Tips for Renters!
