Caring for our planet is a growing priority, and while many of us have swapped out single-use plastics and pack reusable bags for groceries, here are a few simple, eco-friendly and efficient ideas when using your appliances. Even small steps to improve life for our planet–and your household–make a difference.
Washing Machine
Wash with cold water. This one is easy; unless you have oily, stubborn stains, wash with cold water. According to ENERGY STAR, about 90 percent of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer goes towards heating the water. As an added bonus, cold water can help maintain the vibrancy of colors in your clothing.
Use the correct amount of laundry detergent. Did you know that many consumers use too much detergent, which leaves excessive suds and residue in clothes? We recommend using ultra-concentrated Swash® Laundry detergent with its Precision Pour cap, where you can get up to 83 loads of laundry out of one hand-held bottle. Washing machines with a Load & Go™ Dispenser in our Whirlpool® brand have intuitive controls that automatically add the correct amount of laundry detergent according to your ideal cycle.
Use the regular cycle. Did you know that the gentle cycle on your washer actually uses more water than a regular cycle? When you can, choose the regular cycle over a gentle wash unless you’re cleaning fine fabrics.
Turn on fast spin. If you have the option on your washer, activate the high spin speed, which can reduce the amount of moisture in clothing and will reduce drying time.
Dryer
Clean the lint filter. A clean filter with every laundry load ensures proper air flow. If you use dryer sheets, scrub the lint screen clean once a month. Dryer sheets can leave a residue that reduces air flow, creating unnecessary wear on your dryer.
Use the auto sensor. Moisture sensors located within the dryer help ensure that your load does not over-dry and use more energy than is needed. Once your clothes are dry, the dryer will shut off.
Refrigerator
Set the temperature. Refrigerators should be set between 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check the seals. Inspect your seals for gaps or cracks to ensure the refrigerator is airtight.
Think about what you need. Before going to your fridge, think about what you need to do, to minimize the amount of time the door is open.
Oven
Keep the door closed. When the oven is in use, keep the door closed as much as possible.
Check the door’s seal. This can also help to maintain even baking and roasting.
Dishwasher
Scrape, don’t rinse. Pre-rinsing wastes water and energy, and can also fool the sensors into thinking the dishes are already cleaning your dishwasher, which may impact the cleaning process.
Clear the spray arm. After the dishwasher is fully loaded, spin the spray arm to make sure the arm clears all dishes, pots and trays.
Select air dry and use rinse aid. Rinse aid helps the drying process and air dry reduces energy use.