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Reduce washing cost and reduce clothes drying energy use


Washing uses 1% of US residential electrical energy, clothes dryers use 6%.

US residential electricity use
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Clothes dryers waste energy, they increase the cost of washing by 5 times. You can reduce your clothes drying energy use, and the global warming threat, by minimizing your use of the clothes drier and using either an indoor or outdoor clothes line instead.

Clothes dryers also subject clothes to mechanical and thermal stress, this can lead to pilling, shrinkage and damage to fibers, reducing the life of the dried articles.

What can I do to reduce washing cost and clothes drying energy use?
  •   Wash full loads when ever possible, full loads are more economical than partial loads, but don’t overload the machine.
  •   Buy an outdoor clothes line, use it on dry days and take advantage of the suns energy, additionally your clothes will last longer.
  •   Buy an indoor clothes drying rack, floor or ceiling mounted racks can be obtained or made, use them on wet or very cold days.


    • Indoor clothes drying rack
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  •   Consider purchasing a new clothes washer that is water- and energy- efficient. Rebates are available for qualified models. See Clothes Washer Rebates from the Saving Water Partnership.
    • If you must use a clothes dryer reduce clothes drying energy:
  •   Don’t over dry clothes.
  •   In winter vent it inside your home if the home humidity is not too high. DO NOT VENT NATURAL GAS DRIERS INTO YOUR HOME, THEY PRODUCE DANGEROUS GASES.
  •   Dry full loads, they are more economical than small loads, but do not overload the dryer.
  •   Dry two or more loads in a row, taking advantage of the dryer's retained heat.
  •   Make sure your dryer is operating efficiently – regularly remove lint, lint build up wastes energy.
  •   Separate your clothes and dry similar types together. Lightweight synthetics dry much more quickly than natural fiber clothes, and these dry more quickly than bath towels.


    • indoor clothes drying mechanism

  •   Use the cool-down cycle (perma-press cycle) to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
  •   Locate your clothes dryer in a heated space. Putting it in a cold or damp basement or an unheated garage will make the dryer work harder and less efficiently.
  •   Make sure your clothes dryer is vented properly. If you vent the exhaust outside, use the straightest and shortest metal duct available. Flexible vinyl duct is not recommended as it restricts airflow, can be crushed, and may not withstand the high drier temperatures.
  •   Get a clothes dryer with a humidity detector – this can reduce drying costs by 10 to 15%.
Better still, use an indoor or outdoor clothes line.

If you find the information on this web site helpful please pass it on to friends and relatives.

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