In the increasingly water-conscious world, finding ways to conserve this precious resource has become a top priority. One area where you can make a significant impact is in your laundry routines.
The common household appliance washing machine often consumes large amounts of water with each cycle. But how to use less water in washing machine?
By adopting simple yet effective strategies, you can reduce your water usage without compromising the cleanliness of your clothes. This article aims to provide practical tips on using less water in your washing machine.
Let’s dive in and discover how you can make a difference, one load at a time.
How to Use Less Water in Washing Machine
If you want to use less water, you should consider the following methods on how to use less water in washing machine:
- Front instead of a top-loading washer
- Wash full loads
- Wash cycles
- Invest in an HE (High Efficiency) washer
- Check for leaks
- Pre-treat stains
By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce your water consumption while still maintaining clean and fresh laundry.
Conserving Water Usage in Washing Machines
Modern washing machines use 70% less energy today than in the 70s and can save 9.3 to 29.6 gallons per wash cycle. However, with the rising environmental consciousness and bills among consumers, they still look for ways to use less water.
Average washing machines use about 19 gallons of water per load, but ENERGY STAR-certified washers use 14 gallons. Below are some ways to reduce your water usage when it comes to laundry.
Front instead of a top-loading washer
If you want to ensure that your washing machine uses less water, use a front-loading instead of a top-loading one. A top-loading washing machine uses way more water during a wash cycle.
However, due to its design, a front-loading washing machine can thoroughly wash your laundry with only a fraction of the water a top-loader uses.
Wash full loads
An excellent way to conserve water is to wait until you have a full load to start your washing machine. Starting your washing machine only when you have a full load could save thousands of gallons per year.
Also, not every piece of clothing needs to be washed after only wearing it once. Some you can wear two to three times before washing them.
Moreover, if you have a newer washing machine model, check to see if it has settings that allow you to adjust the amount of water used according to the load size.
Wash cycles
For various types of materials and apparel, washers have varied wash cycles. Even though some of these wash cycles use more water than others, some do not. Therefore, avoid heavy-duty, bulky items or the deep-fill wash cycle.
Also, do not use the extra rinse option on your washing machine if you want to save water. You can significantly reduce water usage since the drum will not be filled with more water during the extended rinse cycle.
Read more: Which Washing Machine Uses The Most Water?
Invest in a HE (High Efficiency) washer
Modern high-efficiency washing machines have special settings to help you save water, so it is a wise investment. If you are in the market for a new washing machine, I recommend choosing an HE one.
However, if you already have one, you should also use HE detergent. These detergents were made with low-sudsing in mind. Without a low-sudsing detergent, the washer might need to run through several rinse cycles to eliminate all the suds, wasting more water.
Check for leaks
Another reason why you might be using too much water with your washing machine is due to loose plumbing. Check your washing machine regularly for any leaks and repair them.
Also, check the water hoses connected to your washing machine to ensure they are not loose, and re-fasten them if they are loose.
Pre-treat stains
Instead of using a deep-cleaning cycle to treat deep stains on your laundry, which uses too much water, you can pre-treat them.
You can use a stain remover as a pre-treatment for stubborn stains. Apply the stain remover and rub it in the fabric to saturate the stain.
With a stain pre-treatment, you ensure that it comes out during the first wash cycle without running another one.
Also read: How Does A Washing Machine Water Level Sensor Work
Conclusion
If you wondered how to use less water in washing machine, here you have discovered some of the best methods to do it.
By implementing the methods discussed, such as using a front-loading washer, washing full loads, selecting appropriate wash cycles, investing in a high-efficiency washer, checking for leaks, and pre-treating stains, you can significantly reduce your water consumption without compromising the cleanliness of your laundry.
These simple adjustments can make a big difference in conserving water resources and minimizing your water bill.
So, let’s embrace these water-saving techniques and contribute to a more sustainable future, one load of laundry at a time.
Conserving water is always a great idea because it is good for the environment and significantly reduces your water bill.
