Earthly TasteHaving trouble making ends meet because of the cost of living crisis? If you’re like most people, the cost of laundry and cleaning can really add up. But with a little bit of effort, you can slash those costs and save yourself a lot of money in the process. These 14 tips will help you save money without hurting your health or sacrificing comfort.
1. Wash clothes at a lower temperature
There’s no denying that doing laundry is a necessary evil. We all have to wash our clothes at some point, but it can be a real drain on our finances. The average person spends about £80 a month on their laundry, and that number only goes up if you have a family. Washing your clothes at a lower temperature is one of the easiest ways to save money on your monthly bills. Your clothes will come out just as clean, and you’ll save money on your energy bill. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to save the planet by using less energy. So next time you do laundry, turn down the dial and save yourself some money. Every little bit helps!
Top tip: put your washing machine on eco mode; it’s there for a reason
Most people probably don’t give much thought to their washing machine, but there are a few things you can do to save money and energy. One of the easiest things to do is to put your washing machine in eco mode. This will lower water and energy usage, which can save you money on your bills. It’s also better for the environment, so it’s a win-win situation. In addition, the eco mode is often just as effective as the regular mode, so you don’t have to sacrifice clean clothes in order to save some money. So next time you’re doing laundry, think about putting your washing machine on eco mode. It’s easy, it’s effective, and it might just save you some money in the long run.
2. Wear your clothes more
Anyone who has ever done their laundry knows that it can be a costly endeavour. Energy bills go up as the clothes dryer runs, and the cost of laundry detergent seems to increase every year. On top of that, there’s the environmental cost to consider. Washing and drying clothes takes a lot of water and energy, making it one of the most resource-intensive household tasks. However, there is a simple way to save money on laundry bills: wearing your clothes more before washing them. Of course, this isn’t always possible or practical, but when it is, it can help to save a significant amount of money over time. Not to mention, it’s one small way to help save the planet from the cost of living crisis. Who knew that doing laundry could be such a political act?
3. Reduce or stop using the tumble dryer
3 loads of washing in the tumble dryer per week will now cost you about £200 a year! OUCH. In these tough economic times, everyone is looking for ways to save money. And one surprisingly easy way to save on your energy bills is to reduce your use of the tumble dryer. Tumble dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run, so by simply hanging your clothes up to dry, you can make a significant dent in your energy costs. In addition, by air-drying your clothes, you’ll also extend their life span – meaning you’ll save money in the long run as well. So if you’re looking for ways to ease the cost of living crisis, start by hanging up your laundry. Your wallet will thank you for it.
4. Use a heated drying rack
In these tough economic times, it’s important to save money where you can. One way to do this is to ditch your tumble dryer and invest in a heated drying rack instead. Heated drying racks use a fraction of the energy of tumble dryers, so you’ll save money on your energy bills. And in these days of the cost of living crisis, every little bit counts! Not only will you save money, but you’ll also save your clothes from the harsh heat of a tumble dryer, which can damage fabric over time. So make the switch today and start saving!
5. Don’t dry clothes on the radiator
Many people think that drying clothes on the radiator is a great way to save money on energy bills. However, there are several reasons why this is not the case. First of all, clothes that are dried on radiators are more likely to shrink or get damaged. Additionally, the heat from the radiator can cause wrinkles and make your clothes more difficult to iron. Finally, drying clothes on a radiator can be a fire hazard. If you’re looking to save money on your energy bill, it’s best to air dry your clothes or use a clothesline.
6. A flow restrictor will save you water and money
Have you ever taken a long, hot shower, only to be greeted by an icy blast of water when you turn the knob to ‘off’? If so, you’re not alone. Many people believe that flow restrictors are nothing more than a nuisance, designed to make our lives more difficult. However, flow restrictors can actually save us both water and money. By reducing the amount of water that flows through our taps, they help to conserve this vital resource. In addition, they can also help to keep our utility bills down. As water prices continue to rise, flow restrictors provide an easy way to reduce our consumption and keep our costs down. So next time you’re in the shower and the water starts to dwindle, don’t curse the flow restrictor – thank it!
7. Take 4-minute showers
We all know that one of the easiest ways to save money is to cut down on our water usage. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to take shorter showers. In fact, if you switch from a 10-minute shower to a 4-minute shower, you can save up to 15 gallons of water each time!
But there’s another way that taking shorter showers can save you money: by reducing your energy bill. See, the hot water for your shower has to be heated up by your water heater. And the longer your shower, the more energy your water heater has to use. So by keeping your showers short, you can actually save money on your energy bill too!
So there you have it: two reasons to start timing your showers. Not only will it save you water, but it could also save you some serious cash. Who knew that being efficient in the shower could be so rewarding?
8. Consider taking less showers…
Let’s face it: showering is a pain. You have to get all wet and then soap yourself up and rinse off. And for what? To be clean? Pfft. If that’s the case, then why do we take showers in the first place? To get clean, of course! But there are other ways to be clean that don’t involve water or soap. For example, you could simply not shower. This would save you time, money, and water. Not to mention, it would also save you from having to hear the sound of running water when you’re trying to relax. So the next time you’re feeling lazy, just don’t shower. Your wallet (and the environment) will thank you.
9. If you use a gym, shower and dry your hair there!
Did you know you can save about £15 a month if you don’t shower at home? Hear me out…
How much money do you spend on your monthly utility bills? If you’re like most people, the answer is “too much.” But there’s an easy way to save on your water and electricity usage: shower and dry your hair at the gym, or at work. Of course, this requires a bit of advance planning. You’ll need to pack a towel and make sure you have time to shower before hitting the gym, or before your shift starts. But the savings are worth it. Not only will you save on your utility bills, but you’ll also get a bit of extra exercise. So next time you’re looking to save some money, consider skipping the shower at home and heading to the gym instead.
10. Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth
When it comes to saving water, every little bit counts. And one of the easiest ways to save water is by simply turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person uses about 2.5 gallons of water per minute while brushing their teeth. So, if you brush your teeth for two minutes, that’s 5 gallons of water down the drain. But if you turn the tap off while brushing, you can easily save 2 gallons of water. That might not seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly. In fact, if everyone in the United States turned the tap off while brushing their teeth, we could collectively save more than 100 million gallons of water each day. So next time you reach for your toothbrush, remember: a little effort goes a long way when it comes to saving water.
11. Collect excess water in the shower to water your plants or to flush the toilet
There’s no need to let all that water go to waste! Next time you’re in the shower, try collecting some of the excess water in a bucket. When you’re done, you can use that water to water your plants or to flush the toilet. It’s a simple way to save water and it doesn’t require any extra effort. Just be sure to empty the bucket before it overflows! And if you’re really looking to conserve water, you can always take shorter showers.
12. Don’t flush the toilet as much
We all know how important it is to conserve water. But how much water can you really save by only flushing number 2s, not wees?
Well, let’s do the math. An average toilet uses about 1.6 gallons of water per flush. So if you only flushed for number 2s, you would use about 0.8 gallons of water per flush. That’s a savings of about 50%.
Of course, there are other ways to save water when it comes to your bathroom habits. For example, you can install a low-flow toilet or take shorter showers. But if you’re looking for the simplest way to save water, flushing only for number 2s is the way to go.
13. Make your own cleaning supplies
If you’re looking to save a few pennies and you’re tired of using harsh chemicals to clean your home, why not try making your own cleaning products with lemon, bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar? All three of these ingredients are natural disinfectants that can be used to clean surfaces, remove stains and even unclog drains. Plus, they’re all pretty inexpensive. To make an all-purpose cleaner, simply mix equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar. For a window cleaner, mix two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with one litre of water. And for a drain unclogger, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for five minutes before flushing with hot water. So next time you run out of cleaning supplies, head to your pantry instead of the store.
14. Fix leaky taps
Leaky taps may not seem like a big deal, but they can actually cost you a lot of money in wasted water. In fact, a single leaky tap can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. That means that if you have two leaky taps, you’re wasting enough water to fill a typical backyard swimming pool! Not only is this bad for your wallet, it’s also bad for the environment. So next time you hear a drip, drip, drip coming from your tap, don’t ignore it – fix it! It could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Let’s save money on your laundry, washing and cleaning bills
So there you have it, 14 easy ways to make your home more energy and water-efficient. I hope you found at least a few of these tips helpful – now go forth and start saving! But before you do, let me know in the comments if I missed any of your favourite ways to save on utilities. And be sure to share this post with your friends and family – the more people who know about these money-saving tricks, the better!