# Energy Saving Laundry Tips

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/05/energy-saving-laundry-tips/
- Published: 2025-05-02T19:48:40-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Cutting energy waste in the home is not only good for the environment, it can also
save you money. Most people wouldn’t expect it but washing machines and dryers are
some of the biggest energy wasters in homes. One study estimated the nation’s residential
laundry carbon dioxide emissions at 179 million metric tons per year. That’s equal
to the total annual [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/08/save-green-energy-at-home-game-changing-insights/)
use of more than 21 million homes. 

## More than just a high efficiency machine

While high efficiency machines use less [water](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/contamination-of-puerto-rican-drinking-water-in-aftermath-of-hurricane-maria-alert-fromualbany-school-of-public-health-professor/)
and electricity than other models, there is more that can be done to reduce the 
environmental impact of doing laundry. Especially when it comes to cumbersome items
like bedsheets.

The first step is to take a minute to know your machines. Most people never take
the time to read the owner’s manual for their washer and dryer, which could lead
to [missed maintenance](https://wadfree.com/pages/our-story) and not fully understanding
what the various cycles and settings mean. It’s also important to check the care
labels on garments, towels, and sheets.

![Energy saving washer and dryer](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2025/05/img_1466-1-400x400.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 "img_1466-1 - The 
Green Living Guy")

Many people will be surprised to learn that laundry advice passed down from parents
and grandparents may conflict with manufacturer recommendations. 

These [tips can also help save](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/09/save-sustainably-by-reducing-your-utility-bills/)
time, energy, water, and even money when doing laundry:

## Give Your Dryer a Clean Slate: 

Make it a habit to check and empty the lint trap before each load. A full lint trap
reduces efficiency and becomes a fire hazard. A clogged lint trapprevents the dryer
from being able to exhaust hot air, causing it to overheat. 

## Try Washing on Cold:

Washing on cold eliminates the need to [use energy to heat the water](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/amazing-tips-for-an-environmentally-friendly-hair-care-routine/)
used in the washer and it is also gentler on fabrics. Heating water uses the most
[energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/02/energy-system-save-combined-cooling-heat-pump/)
where the washer is concerned. 

## Wash Full, Mixed Loads: 

When you wash everything on cold you eliminate the need to separate towels and sheets
from clothing. Fill the washing machine up with a full load to [save time and again energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2009/08/a-bright-idea-led-light-bulbs-yield-big-savings-in-energy-mcclatchy/)
and money. 

## Use the Right Tools:

When washing and drying sheets, use Wad-Free® for Bed Sheets which prevents them
from tangling, twisting and balling-up in both the washing machine and the dryer,
and dries loads up to 75% faster. 

## Keep Dryers on Low: 

Even though it will take longer for clothing, towels and bedding to dry, using a
low heat cycle on the dryer will still use less [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/01/home-heat-energy-tips-to-cut-your-bills/)
than a medium or high heat setting.

By Cyndi Bray, inventor of [Wad-Free](https://wadfree.com/). It’s a viral laundry
tool. Most notably, with over 13 million views on TikTok and 7,000+ reviews on Amazon.
It offers practical [tips to make laundry](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/10/improving-efficiency-in-grain-storage-tips-and-practices/)
day more efficient. Her hacks help reduce water consumption, lower energy usage,
and cut drying times by up to 75%. That’s clearly making it easier for people to
live frugally. Moreover, lighten their footprint on the [planet](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/03/how-much-work-is-needed-to-make-recycling-economically-sustainable/).

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)