6 Washing Machine Habits That Are Wasting Water (and Raising Your Bill)
Doing smaller loads of laundry over time may not be as efficient as you think.
Whether you stick to a set laundry dayor wait until you’re down to your last clean T-shirt, a date with the washing machine is inevitable. How that date goes, though, is usually up to us.
Personally, I tend to toss everything in at once to get it over with. It’s not exactly what the experts recommend, but it’s a time-saver—and it (mostly) keeps my clothes from getting mixed up with everyone else’s.
It wasn’t until a recent, fill-it-to-the-brim load that I started wondering how much water I was actually using. Turns out, the average washing machine goes through about 40 gallons per load. No matter how often you do laundry, that adds up fast—and it might make you rethink your routine.
The good news? It’s possible to be more efficient. In fact, experts say some common laundry habits can lead to wasted water. Here are six to clean up ASAP.
Using the wrong wash cycle
As modern washing machines have anywhere from 10 to 15 pre-programmed washing cycles, it can feel simpler to just go with the heavy duty default cycle. Home care and cleaning review analyst, Noah Pinsonnault warns against that. “Cycles like heavy duty often use more water than necessary,” he said. “Using them on everyday laundry leads to unnecessary waste and can wear clothing down prematurely.
Overusing the extra rinse setting
Another habit of heavy-load washers can be programming an extra rinse cycle. But experts say doing this can have similar water-wasting effects as flushing the toilet twice when using it. “Adding extra rinse cycles increases total water use without much benefit unless there’s excess detergent or sensitive skin concerns,” confirmed Pinsonnault.
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Running multiple small loads instead of fewer full loads
Here’s where I feel vindicated in my full load approach. While it makes sense to think smaller loads equal smaller amounts of water usage, an increased number of washes can result in higher utility bills. Pinsonnault notes, “Washing partial loads uses nearly as much water and electricity as full ones, so it significantly reduces overall efficiency.”
Overloading the machine
Here’s where my full load approach backfires. Though it’s good practice to put some time between laundry days, overloading can be counterproductive. “Packing the drum too tightly prevents proper cleaning, which may lead to rewashing the same load and putting unnecessary strain on the machine without any benefit,” explained Pinsonnault. “In general, 3/4 full is a good guideline.”
Washing lightly worn items too frequently
It’s tempting to want to throw all of your child’s wearables into the washing machine after they come home some days. The same can be said for your own clothes after a long work day. However, Pinsonnault says using moderation when washing some garments will serve you well. “Many items (like jeans or outer layers) don’t need to be washed after every wear.”
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Skipping high-efficiency (HE) detergent in HE machines
High-efficiency detergent is specially formulated to produce less suds in machines built to conserve water usage. “Using the wrong detergent can create excess suds, triggering additional rinse cycles and wasting water,” warns Pinsonnault. So to ensure you’re washing with as little waste as possible, it’s best to use detergent that’s compatible with your machine.
DeVonne is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering a wide range of lifestyle topics. He's worked on brands like Parents, Men's Journal, Healthline and Bankrate, with focuses on trending news and culture. He’s also led various multimedia initiatives in the wellness and parenting spaces. He currently lives in the Charlotte, NC area.
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