10 ways you can save on laundry without smelling like it
Cutting laundry costs doesn't mean you have to walk around smelling like a damp towel. There's a sweet spot between spending a fortune on detergent pods and walking around in stale clothes. A lot of the extras in laundry routines are optional-or straight-up overkill-but certain habits actually help your clothes come out cleaner and fresher while using less.
If you're strategic with how you wash, dry, and care for clothes, you can lower your utility bills and product use without sacrificing how your laundry smells or feels.
Wash With Cold Water Most of the Time
Cold water cleans most everyday loads well, including colors, casual clothes, and synthetics. Unless you’re dealing with oily stains or a sick kid's bedding, hot water isn't always necessary.
Switching to cold for most loads saves a ton on energy since your washer doesn't have to heat the water. Today's detergents are made to work in cold water, so you’re not sacrificing cleaning power. It's also gentler on your fabrics, so clothes last longer.
Skip the Extra Detergent
Using more detergent than needed doesn't make clothes cleaner-it can actually make them stinkier. Excess soap builds up in fabric and traps odors over time, especially in towels and athletic wear.
Stick to the measurement line on the cap, and if your washer is high-efficiency, use a detergent that's made for it. Less soap also means fewer rinses needed to get it all out, which helps with water and energy savings too.
Use Vinegar as Fabric Softener
White vinegar works surprisingly well as a fabric softener. It breaks down detergent residue, cuts static, and doesn't leave your clothes smelling sour once dry.
Add about ¼ to ½ cup to the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. It's way cheaper than liquid softener or dryer sheets, and it’s safe for most washers. Skip it if you're washing anything with elastic or rubber, but for towels and clothes, it works great.
Hang Dry When You Can
Dryers eat up energy fast, especially if you're running them full blast every day. Hanging laundry-either outside or on a drying rack-cuts that cost significantly and extends the life of your clothes.
Even if you don't hang every load, air-drying heavier items like jeans, hoodies, or towels can lighten the dryer load. Your clothes won’t come out stiff if you shake them out well before drying, and your power bill will thank you.
Don't Overload the Washer
Overstuffing the washer makes the machine work harder, and your clothes don't get as clean. Water and detergent can't circulate properly, which means more residue and more rewashing.
Stick to a load size that leaves a little room at the top of the drum. Your washer will rinse better, clothes will dry faster, and you won't have to double up on cycles or detergent. It saves money in water, energy, and product over time.
Skip the Pre-Wash on Light Loads
That pre-wash setting isn't necessary unless you've got heavily soiled clothes. For normal laundry, it’s just an extra round of water, energy, and detergent that doesn't make a noticeable difference.
Save the pre-wash for mud-covered jeans or extra smelly towels. For regular loads, a single wash with the right settings and a good detergent is enough to get things fresh without wasting resources.
Make Your Own Scent Booster
If you like your laundry to smell good but don't want to buy those expensive scent beads, you can make your own version with Epsom salt and essential oils. It's affordable, easy, and doesn't leave waxy buildup.
Mix about 2 cups of Epsom salt with 20-30 drops of essential oil in a jar. Scoop in a couple tablespoons per load. It dissolves easily and adds a clean scent without gunking up your machine or your clothes.
Wash Full Loads-But Not Too Full
Running half loads wastes water and energy. Try to wash only when you have a full load, but don't cram everything in so tight that the machine can't agitate or rinse properly.
A loosely packed drum is ideal. Full loads keep you from doing more laundry than necessary throughout the week, which cuts down on detergent, water, and dryer time without leaving you short on clean clothes.
Use Dryer Balls Instead of Sheets
Wool dryer balls last for hundreds of loads, help reduce drying time, and prevent static without chemicals. You'll cut out the cost of dryer sheets and lower energy use at the same time.
You can even add a drop of essential oil if you want a light scent. They bounce around in the dryer to separate clothes, which helps air flow better and shortens dry time. That saves wear and tear on your clothes too.
Clean Your Washer Regularly
If your washer smells funky, your clothes will too-no matter what detergent you use. Run a cleaning cycle with white vinegar and baking soda every few weeks to clear out gunk and bacteria.
A clean machine uses less energy and rinses better, which keeps your clothes from holding onto weird smells. It also helps your washer last longer, so you’re not replacing it-or calling a repair guy-sooner than necessary.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
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