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	<title>American Consumer News &#187; saving energy</title>
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		<title>Save Money on Your Dirty Clothes</title>
		<link>http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/08/save-money-on-your-dirty-clothes.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/08/save-money-on-your-dirty-clothes.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tisha</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laundry detergent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saving water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[washing machines]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.americanconsumernews.com/?p=1463</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone&#8217;s got laundry &#8211; some more than others. So laundry is definitely a topic everyone else can relate to and incorporate savings into the concept. There are several ways to save on laundry costs and because most consumers much do laundry on a weekly basis, if not more, there can be a huge difference in [...]<p><a href="http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/08/save-money-on-your-dirty-clothes.html">Save Money on Your Dirty Clothes</a> was created by and is property of <a href="http://www.financeispersonal.com">American Consumer News</a>. </p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone&#8217;s got laundry &#8211; some more than others. So laundry is definitely a topic everyone else can relate to <img class="alignright" title="laundry basket" src="http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/910/778312.JPG" alt="" width="219" height="313" />and incorporate savings into the concept. There are several ways to save on laundry costs and because most consumers much do laundry on a weekly basis, if not more, there can be a huge difference in savings each year. These tips will also help preserve the life of your clothes, which in turn saves you money on buying new stuff.</p>
<p><strong>Let&#8217;s start off with the products</strong>&#8230;</p>
<p><em>Go For the Value Brands</em> &#8211; Laundry detergents, as you know, are not cheap. Typically, I only purchase these products and cleaning supplies at the local dollar store because there is generally a $3 difference in overall pricing compared to the grocery store and Walmart. If you don&#8217;t have a dollar store close by, try switching to the store brands which work the same way as their more expensive counterparts. Powdered detergents will also be less expensive than the liquid types.</p>
<p><em>Add Common Items for a Better Cleaning</em> &#8211; Add a ¼ cup of baking soda left over from the fridge to your wash water to remove smells. It will also work as a fabric softener and can be used to pretreat stains. Just make a paste with water and put on the stain. This eliminates the needs for additional laundry products. Adding vinegar to the wash water will work as an antibacterial cleanser and will work with the baking soda to remove tough odors in the fabrics. Both products will also help to whiten and brighten your clothing without the harshness of bleach.</p>
<p><strong>Moving on to the wash cycle&#8230;.</strong></p>
<p><em>Use Cold Water</em> &#8211; By using only cold water for washing, you&#8217;ll save big time on your utility bills by not having to heat the water. You can wash whites such as undies and towels in hot water. Always wash full loads of clothes without overstuffing the machine to make the most out of the energy being used.</p>
<p><em>Short Cycle, Better Savings</em> &#8211; If your machine has a variety of settings, always choose the shortest one for your wash that isn&#8217;t very dirty. This cycle requires less energy which adds up to cash savings over time.</p>
<p><em>Front Loading Machines</em> &#8211; If you have the need and the money for a new washer, invest in a front-loading machine which saves money on everything. These machines save water, detergents, and energy because they are way more efficient that the standard top-loading machines. They are also more effective at getting clothing cleaner and will spin clothes better, thus reducing the amount of dryer time.</p>
<p><strong>And finally&#8230;.</strong></p>
<p><em>Line Dry</em> &#8211; If you have the line outside, make sure you use it each time to hang out your close and avoid the dryer all together. It not only saves on energy usage, clothes are less likely to shrink or fade out. During the cold months of the year, several drying racks can be set up in the basement or around the house to allow clothes to dry naturally.</p>
<p><em>Dryer Maintenance</em> &#8211; If you must use the dryer, make sure the lint traps are thoroughly cleaned after each use. Not only does a clogged lint trap reduce the efficiency of the dryer, it is also a huge fire risk, which is a good way to lose everything you own fast.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2008/08/save-money-on-your-dirty-clothes.html">Save Money on Your Dirty Clothes</a> was created by and is property of <a href="http://www.financeispersonal.com">American Consumer News</a>. </p>
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