According to lowimpactliving.com, your washer and dryer most likely use more resources than any other appliance in your house. In a year, your washer and dryer will produce as much carbon dioxide as you would if you drove your car across the country.

When it comes to choosing a new washing machine, Energy Star ratings are key:

• Through superior design and system features, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers.
• Most full-sized ENERGY STAR qualified washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine.

Consider efficiency into the cost of the washing machine. A more expensive machine may cost less in the long run. Upgrading your washer alone can save you up to $110 a year in energy costs.

Energy Star doesn’t rate dryers, because most are similar in energy use. Look for a dryer that uses a moisture sensor to shut off automatically when clothes are dry.

Not ready to upgrade but still want to make a difference? Make sure you wash full loads of laundry, setting the dial for the size of the load accordingly. And get an appliance repair professional to clean your dryer. Over time, it clogs with lint and will make your dryer less efficient.

Thanks, Anne!

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.