When it comes to your clothing, you probably don’t think about the environment much. After all, you wear these clothes for a reason: they make you look and feel good. But when you think about the laundry process as well, your clothes start to seem a little less positive.
The average Australian family spends around $200 per year on laundry soap and other laundry products. If you’re spending that amount of money every year, that is an awful lot of cash just so you can wash your clothes once and have them smell clean again.
The good news is, there are lots of ways to keep your laundry bill low without sacrificing quality. Here are some useful tips on how to redecorate your laundry without breaking the bank:
Wash in cold water
You’ve probably heard that cold water is better for your clothes. The truth is, this isn’t always true. Some people are sensitive to cold water and others can use the higher temperature with no problems. If you want to try this method out, make sure you test it on a few of your favorite pieces before doing a full load or run the risk of ruining them.
Hang-dry your clothes
One of the best and cheapest ways to keep your laundry bill low is to hang-dry your clothes. You might be skeptical of this strategy, but it’s actually really effective. Hanging your clothes outside on a line can save you up to 30 percent on energy bills.
There are lots of other benefits of laundry on a budget as well: less shrinkage, fewer wrinkles and creases, and they stay cleaner for longer before needing washing again. The downside is that you’ll need extra space in order to use this strategy effectively. If outdoor space isn’t an option, try using an indoor drying rack or hanging them with a clothes line in the garage.
Don’t wear brand name clothing
If you’re not going to have the same quality of clothes, spend your money on something else. There are plenty of options for affordable clothing that will still look great.
Dry clean your clothing
One of the easiest ways to cut down on your laundry costs is to dry clean your clothing. It might seem like it would be expensive, but it’s actually less expensive than washing clothes and using detergent. Dry cleaning also preserves your clothing better than washing them in a machine.
And if you want to maintain that professional look, you can still do so without ending up with dirty clothes because dry cleaning will remove stains.
Invest in a quality drying rack or basket
First, invest in a drying rack or basket so you can properly hang your laundry to dry. A good washing machine helps, too! It’ll help save energy and even make the process a little more environmentally friendly by using less water and helping you do your laundry on a budget.
Don’t use too much detergent
One way to save a lot of money on laundry products is to not use too much detergent. Remember, the less detergent you use, the less soap needed to be used. So make sure that you only use a small amount of soap (like half a capful) when washing your clothes. This will make your laundry last longer and save you money in the long run.
Keep track of what you spend and build an account
The first step towards saving money on laundry is keeping track of what you are spending. It’s easy to spend a lot of money on laundry if you don’t pay attention to what your family is buying. When you know how much your family spends, it will be easier for you to find the best deals and get more quality items that will last longer.
When doing your laundry on a budget, it’s also important to build an account so that you can keep track of your spending habits. This way, you can easily tell how much laundry soap or other products like detergent cost every month, and figure out which brands work well with your budget.