Don’t run the washing machine unless it is full It is more cost-effective to wash one full load than two small ones.  If you have to run a small load, set the water level appropriately Wash clothes in cold water Up to 85 percent of the cost of operating a washing machine comes from heating the water.  Cut that energy use in half by switching the temperature control from hot to warm.  For even greater savings, wash in cold water.  Today’s cold water detergents make hot water unnecessary except when dealing with stubborn grease stains.

If your dryer has an “auto-dry” feature… use it!
Many dryers have moisture sensors that detect when the clothes are dry and turn off the appliance.  This auto-dry feature prevents over drying your clothes, which not only increases your utility bill unnecessarily, but is rough on clothing as well.

Use a clothesline whenever possible
Letting your clothes air-dry costs you nothing in utility bills!

Dry your lightweight items separately
Socks, underwear, and the like will take less time to dry if you separate them from towels and other water-absorbent items.  You save money even though you run the dryer twice.

Remove clothes from the dryer promptly
To minimize the need for ironing, shake your clothes out when they are still warm from the dryer and slightly damp, and then hang them up.  This simple step eliminates the need to iron most of them, saving time, effort, and money.

Dry multiple loads consecutively
If you are washing more than one load of clothes, dry them one right after another to take advantage of the heat already built up in the dryer.

Inspect the dryer exhaust vent regularly
A clogged vent, like a lint packed filter, reduces dryer efficiency.  Check that the vent is clear by feeling for warm moist air at the exit after the dryer has been operating for several minutes.  Also, observe whether the outside flap opens freely to let the hot air out and closes to bar entry to rain and small animals.  If not, install a new one.