Today, I want to talk about something that might not seem like a big deal at first and that’s water usage when doing laundry. Now, we all know washing machines use water but have you ever stopped to think about just how much it uses.
The water a machine uses, depends on both the model and cycle, a single load can use anywhere from 15 to 45 gallons. It’s a lot of water, especially when you’re running multiple loads a week. And with water shortages becoming more of a concern in many places, it just makes sense to be a little more mindful of how we use it.
Laundry is actually responsible for around 16 to 22 percent of household water use in the U.S., which is a lot. I never really thought about it before but once I did, I realized I could make a few small changes to cut back on water wastage. It’s nothing too complicated, just simple habits that can help without making laundry any harder.
So, I’ll share some easy ways to save water while still getting your clothes clean. We’ll talk about things like washing full loads, using the right settings, and even choosing the best machine. Let’s not wait any more and get right into it.
Also read: Criterion Washer Reviews
Strategies To Save Water During Washing Machine Usage
There are plenty of ways to cut back on water while doing laundry, and most of them take almost no effort. We’ll talk about simple habits like washing full loads, using the right settings, and keeping your machine in top shape.
We’ll also share a few tricks that go beyond just pressing a button, like reusing water and picking a washer that won’t drain your wallet or harm the planet.
Wash full loads
Washing a full load is one of the easiest ways to save water. Your machine uses nearly the same amount whether it’s half full or packed, so might as well make it count.
But wait there’s something to consider and that’s overloading, it’s a problem. If clothes are crammed in too tight, water and detergent will not be able to circulate properly, leaving them less clean.
Aim for full but don’t stuff it, so everything is able to move freely. A simple change like this can help you save thousands of gallons of water over time without changing your routine much at all.
Use cold water
Hot water used to be the go-to, but honestly, it’s not necessary most of the time. Cold water works just as well for everyday laundry and saves a ton of energy.
About 90% of the energy a washing machine uses goes to heating water. So, to save that, I switched to cold water, and my clothes are just as clean. Plus, they last longer since heat wears fabric out faster. Unless you’re washing something really gross, cold water is the way to go.
Use the “eco” setting
Choosing the right cycle makes a big difference in how much water does a washing machine use during each load.
Most washing machines today come with an “eco” setting, but I used to ignore it, thinking it’s not that important. Once I figured it just made the cycle longer without actually doing much.
But then I found out, it can cut water use by up to 50%, and that’s a lot over time. I started using this setting for regular loads, and honestly, my clothes still come out fresh.
If something’s really dirty, I just make adjustments in the settings, like hotter water for towels, shorter cycle for delicates, and that’s it. With these few small changes, you save water without even trying.
Choose the Right Detergent
I used to think more detergent meant cleaner clothes, but it’s not like that. Too much soap actually does the opposite and high-efficiency washers don’t use a lot of water. So that extra detergent just sits there, making clothes feel stiff or even smell funky.
This is not good because the machine might add extra rinse cycles which then wastes more water. I then decided to switch to a concentrated, low-suds detergent, and suddenly everything felt cleaner, and that too without all that extra rinsing.
If your clothes ever come out feeling soapy, you might be using too much, try to use less detergent.
Regular Maintenance for Efficiency
If your washer smells weird or takes on forever to drain, that’s usually a clogged filter. I got to know this when my machine started leaving clothes soaking wet. But then I checked and realized there’s lint, stray socks, and who-knows-what, building up inside and slowing everything down.
A quick clean-out every month keeps water flowing right. While you’re at it, check for leaks too, whether they are tiny drips or just a small crack, seal it.
And if you’ve got hard water, descaling every few months helps keep things running like they should. You can also call a professional to help you out if you are unsure about something.
Choose an efficient machine
If you’re looking to save water and energy, a high-efficiency (HE) washer is the way to go. And if it’s ENERGY STAR certified, that’s even better because it uses about 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard models.
Now, the big debate, should you go for front-load or top-load? Front-loaders generally win in water savings since they don’t need to fill up as much. But if you prefer a top-loader, pick one without an agitator, it’ll still get the job done without wasting extra water.
Pre-Treat Stains to reduce the need for heavy-duty wash cycle
Stains have a way of showing up at the worst times, whether it’s coffee on a white shirt, ketchup on jeans, it’s like they aim for the most visible spots. The best way to remove those stains is by pre-treating them, this saves you from running a heavy-duty wash.
I’ve learned that rubbing in some liquid detergent or baking soda paste on stains right away makes a huge difference. Studies say stains set in as fast as 5 minutes, so acting fast matters. This means you will have to do less scrubbing, there’ll be less water wasted, and your favorite clothes can last longer.
Plus, if you’re washing a shirt custom print, pre-treating stains can prevent excessive washing that might fade the design over time.
Conclusion
Saving water while doing laundry isn’t hard. Small changes like washing full loads, using cold water, and pre-treating stains can make a real difference. That you can use less water, less energy, lower your energy bills. These small steps really help and soon you will start seeing differences too.
I used to run extra rinse cycles, thinking my clothes needed it, but they really didn’t. Cutting that out saved me gallons of water every week, now imagine if we all did that.
This way we can save our planet, also help you save up money on those energy and water bills, and honestly, your clothes will last longer too. It’s the best decision to make this habit.
