Frugal Parenting: How to Save Money on Laundry Expenses for a Big Family

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Laundry is essential to daily life, especially for families with children. Yet, this necessity can also be expensive and time-consuming, especially for large families.

If you are a frugal parent looking for ways to save money on laundry expenses, there are several strategies you can implement to reduce your costs and make laundry more manageable. We have some tips for saving money on laundry expenses for a big family.

Assess your laundry needs.

Before implementing any money-saving strategies, it is important to assess your laundry needs. You can do this by tracking your laundry usage, determining the frequency of wash cycles, and identifying any special laundry requirements.

Assessing your laundry needs helps you develop a routine tailored to your family’s needs. This enables you to avoid over-washing and under-washing clothes and helps you reduce water and energy consumption when doing laundry.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Investing in energy-efficient appliances is the most effective way to save money on laundry expenses. High-efficiency washing machines and dryers use less water and energy than traditional models, which can result in significant cost savings over time.

Although energy-efficient appliances may cost more upfront, they typically pay for themselves through lower energy bills and reduced water usage.

Others argue relying on laundry service is the most frugal way for a big family. But, is it? Outsourcing laundry can save time and effort, especially when it offers a dry cleaning pickup app, but does it save money? It depends on the family’s routine. Laundry services typically charge by weight or by item, and the cost can add up quickly for a large family.

Hence, it is really important to assess your laundry needs to know which laundry method can help you save more.

Use cold water for washing clothes.

Another way to reduce laundry expenses is to change your laundry practices. If you use hot water in washing clothes, shift to cold water. Washing clothes in cold water uses less energy than using hot water, which can result in lower energy bills. Moreover, washing clothes in cold water can help prevent color fading and reduce wear and tear on clothing.

Air dry clothes when possible.

Using a clothes dryer can be one of the most expensive parts of doing laundry. It consumes more energy, and may potentially damage the fabrics of your clothes too. That’s why it is best to consider air drying clothes whenever possible. Hanging clothes on a clothesline or using a drying rack is a great way to dry clothes without using electricity.

When air drying clothes, it is important to hang clothes in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew from forming. You should also shake out clothes before hanging them to prevent wrinkles and ensure they dry evenly.

Use DIY laundry detergent and fabric softener.

Making your own laundry detergent and fabric softener can be an effective way to save money on laundry expenses. DIY laundry detergent is typically made from simple ingredients like borax, washing soda, and grated soap, which can be purchased in bulk for a fraction of the cost of commercial detergents.

Similarly, DIY fabric softeners can be made from ingredients like white vinegar and essential oils, which are often cheaper than store-bought fabric softeners, and potentially safer than the commercial ones. Yes, commercial detergents and fabric softeners are damaging to your health and environment. Many commercial laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals.

Making your own avoid you from being exposed to these chemicals and reduce your impact on the environment.

Teach kids to re-wear clothes.

Lastly, you can save on your laundry expense when you teach your kids to re-wear clothes. This is not only a frugal way to lessen your laundry, but this also protects the garments from easy wear and tears. Frequent laundry is not healthy for the fabric. Unless clothes are visibly dirty or smelly, they can often be worn again before needing to be washed.

Encourage your kids to re-wear clothes, consider hanging up clothes that can be worn again instead of throwing them in the laundry hamper.

Final Takeaway

Laundry can be a costly and time-consuming task, especially for large families. Implementing the strategies can save money on laundry expenses and make the task more manageable. With these tips, you can become a frugal parent and save money on laundry expenses for your big family.