How to Reduce Laundry Energy Use: 7 Practical Steps

Information current as of 08/23/2026.

The biggest everyday changes are to wash suitable loads in cold water, run appropriately full loads, use a high-spin setting, and shorten or skip dryer time. Use sensor drying instead of extended timed drying, clean the lint screen before every load, and consider ENERGY STAR equipment when replacement is necessary.

Start with wash temperature

Choose cold water for routine loads when appropriate for the garment and cleaning need. Water heating accounts for about 90% of a typical clothes washer’s operating energy use, so reducing water temperature is usually the most direct way to lower washer energy use. Follow garment-care labels, detergent directions, and any hygiene or contamination-specific instructions rather than treating cold water as the right choice for every load. An energy-saving cycle may take longer, but lower-temperature washing can still use less energy because it reduces the energy needed to heat water.

Run full loads—but do not overload the washer

Wait until you have an appropriately full washer load when practical. A washer uses about the same energy across load sizes, so partial loads generally raise the energy used per item. Do not pack the drum so tightly that clothes cannot move properly; use the machine’s smaller-load or water-level setting for loads that cannot wait.

Remove more water before clothes reach the dryer

Use a high-speed or extended-spin option when the fabric-care label and your washer allow it. Extracting more moisture in the washer means the dryer has less water to remove, which can reduce dryer energy demand. This is especially useful for loads you plan to machine-dry.

Cut dryer time first

Air-dry some or all eligible items on a drying rack or clothesline when feasible; doing so replaces dryer energy use. For loads that go in the dryer, choose an automatic or moisture-sensor cycle rather than adding extra time on a timed setting. The goal is to stop drying once clothes are dry, not to keep heating them after that point. Drying similar fabric weights together can also make it easier to avoid leaving lighter items in for a longer, heavier-item cycle.

Keep dryer airflow working

Clean the lint screen before every dryer load. This supports airflow and efficient operation. Also maintain the dryer vent and other airflow components according to the appliance manual; lint-screen cleaning does not replace required vent inspection or maintenance.

Use this next-load checklist

Check the care label and cleaning need. 2. Select cold water when suitable. 3. Combine laundry into an appropriately full load. 4. Use high spin if the fabrics permit it. 5. Rack-dry items when feasible. 6. For machine drying, clean the lint screen and select sensor or automatic drying. These no- or low-cost operating changes come before replacing equipment.

If you are replacing a washer or dryer

Compare similar U.S. models using the yellow EnergyGuide label, which lists estimated annual energy use, estimated annual operating cost, and a comparison range for similar products. ENERGY STAR is a certification, while EnergyGuide is a model-comparison label—use both. ENERGY STAR-certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than standard models, while certified dryers use about 20% less energy. For frequent dryer use, a heat-pump dryer is worth evaluating: qualifying models can reduce energy use by at least 28% versus standard dryers, but capacity, cycle time, installation details, condensate drainage, purchase price, and local utility rates affect the practical fit and payback.

Keep energy savings secondary to care and hygiene requirements

Do not use generic energy-saving advice to override care-label instructions or applicable hygiene guidance. For laundry affected by illness, bodily fluids, infectious material, or other contamination concerns, use detergent, follow the recommended water temperature, and dry items completely. Specialized textiles and protective equipment may have additional requirements.

Energy use is not the same as dollar savings

Using less energy can lower utility costs, but the dollar result varies with your electric or gas rates, washer and dryer type, laundry frequency, and the cycles you use. That is why a fixed annual savings estimate is less useful than reducing unnecessary water heating and dryer runtime, then comparing replacement models with their EnergyGuide information.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Does washing clothes in cold water save energy?

Yes, for loads where cold water is appropriate. Because water heating accounts for about 90% of a typical washer’s operating energy use, moving from hot to warm water can cut washer energy use in half, and a cold cycle reduces it further. Follow care labels and any hygiene-specific guidance for loads that need different treatment.

Is it better to do full loads of laundry?

Generally, yes. Since a clothes washer uses about the same energy regardless of load size, an appropriately full load reduces energy use per item washed. Avoid overloading, and use the correct small-load setting when a smaller load is necessary.

What dryer setting uses the least energy?

An automatic or moisture-sensor cycle can reduce waste because it can end when clothes are dry instead of running for a preset time. Combine that with a clean lint screen before every load and remove clothes when the cycle ends to limit unnecessary drying.

Does a high-spin washer cycle save dryer energy?

It can. A high-speed or extended-spin cycle removes more moisture before drying, leaving less water for the dryer to remove. Use it when the fabric-care instructions and washer settings allow it.

Are heat-pump dryers more energy efficient?

They can be a lower-energy alternative to standard dryers. ENERGY STAR states that qualifying heat-pump dryers can reduce energy use by at least 28% compared with standard dryers, but real-world savings depend on the model, how often you dry clothes, installation needs, and local utility costs. Plan for condensate drainage when evaluating a heat-pump dryer.

Should I buy ENERGY STAR laundry appliances?

If you are replacing equipment, ENERGY STAR certification is a useful efficiency screen, while the EnergyGuide label helps compare estimated annual energy use and operating cost among similar models. ENERGY STAR-certified washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than standard models; certified dryers use approximately 20% less energy.

How to Reduce Laundry Energy Use: Simple Changes That Make a Difference