According to the September 2009 issue of Real Simple magazine, a fantabulous way to save money on your water bill is to wash your clothes in cold water. In fact, the magazine quotes Adam Gottlieb of the California Energy Commission in saying that, "Up to 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes comes from heating the water..." He suggests using hot water to launder only very dirty clothes.

Another idea is to launder your clothes only when they truly, truly, truly need it; think stinky pits and/or stains..(they don't necessarily need it every time you wear them). European women are known to air their clothes out to freshen them up, outside and away from the sun, the day after wearing them. 

Abstaining from washing your clothes every time you wear them is not only water conservative and money-saving, but it also extends the life of your fabrics, according to Allure, who snagged that little tidbit from Chris Paulocik, conservator for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

Jennie Day-Burget

Public Information Officer