6 tips to save money when using the dryer
If air drying isn't an option, here's how to use your dryer without breaking the bank.
Whether it's La Niña or a late-night laundry emergency, you can't always dry clothes the old-fashioned way. If it's too wet, too cold, or too late to hang clothes on the line, you need to do your thing and use the dryer.
But if you're worried about the cost to your wallet or the cost to the environment, here are six ways to use your dryer more efficiently.
1. Air dry your clothes whenever possible
Clothes dryers use a lot of energy to run, but sunlight is free. Even when it rains, can you find a dry place to hang your clothes on a clothesline?
The longer you dry your clothes before putting them in the dryer, the better.
Clean your lint trap after every load to keep your dryer running at peak efficiency.
2. Keep your lint filter clean
Cleaning the lint filter can be tedious, but it's an important habit to get used to.
A clogged lint filter makes it difficult for air to flow through clothes, making the dryer less efficient and creating a fire hazard.
Try cleaning your dryer filter after each load.
3. Use the highest spin speed
The more water you can remove from your laundry load, the less time you'll spend in the dryer.
Choose the highest spin speed available on your washing machine, or when buying a new washing machine, look for one with a higher spin speed; This removes more water, so your clothes take less time and energy to dry.
Vented dryers pump out humid air and pull it back in when you don't have an open window or door.
4. Open a window
If you have a vented dryer, it blows moist air back into the room. This means your dryer has to work harder to dry your clothes, costing you more.
Open a window in your laundry room every time you use your clothes dryer or use your home's sewer system (if you have one).
If you can't extract outside air, consider a condenser or heat pump dryer. They cost more to buy, but they don't drip water from the ceiling and walls.
5. Choose an energy efficient dryer
If you can't avoid using your dryer all year round, opt for the most efficient one you can find: look out for a high energy efficiency rating in our reviews.
Or buy a heat pump condenser dryer. These cost more to buy but are cheaper to run, so you can save money in the long run. The more often you use your dryer, the better the option.
We found that the dryer balls don't work, so don't waste your money.
6. Beware of tricks
Don't get caught paying for household appliances. Some people will tell you that adding dryer balls to your dryer reduces the time and energy it takes to dry your clothes.
We tried the dry bulbs and found that they just didn't work. Save your money and spend your time finding smarter ways to use your dryer.
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