Tips for saving money on doing laundry, using fewer chemicals and producing less waste

Underlying article at guide.thecooldown.com/poll/how-often-do-you-do-laundry-each-month/r/reclGpl7wjSI7ekO0

WEEKEND EDITION We might technically all be laundry experts, given how much we have to do it — but that doesn’t mean we’re always doing it right. As it turns out, a few simple decisions could cost us hundreds of dollars when washing and drying our clothes. But, similarly, a few equally simple changes could help us save up to $300 per year.  TIP OF THE WEEK SAVE HUNDREDS ON YOUR LAUNDRY BY DITCHING HARMFUL CHEMICALS Your laundry routine is less efficient and more costly than you think. Here’s a wild fact: Nearly 90% of the energy that your washing machine uses goes into heating the water, which isn’t even necessary most of the time. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners are more likely to coat your clothes in harmful chemicals than do their jobs, but dryer balls get many of the same results and can improve efficiency. Those massive liquid detergent jugs taking up space probably aren’t getting recycled, either. Powder detergent is cheaper and gets the job done. Making these tiny changes (and a few more) can save you up to $300 per year. These products are a great place to start: Though washing your clothes in warm water is an effective way to remove stains, a soap stick stain remover can remove those stubborn marks so you can stick with a cold cycle. Plop your clothes in the “guppyfriend” washing bag to capture loose fibers and microplastics, keeping your water supply as clean as possible. Enzyme laundry detergent comes in a recyclable aluminum (NOT plastic!) container. It doesn’t have those harsh chemicals that are bad for your skin.