The washer and dryer are two most commonly forgotten appliances in the house, but their energy consumption is considerable. You may have no idea about it, but you can reduce your energy bills simply by changing a way of doing your laundry.

First of all, remember that nine tenths of the energy used by a washer comes for heating the water. Try to reduce the temperature of water and use cold water whenever possible. This will get rid of most of your washer energy consumption while not reducing the quality of laundry and your comfort level.

As for the dryer: first of all, keep its vents clean. If they get clogged, they will reduce the dryer's efficiency. Always clean the lint trap before loading the dryer and check the vent if you think drying goes slower or less efficient than usual. However, the best solution is usually just to skip the dryer. First, it saves a lot of power. Then, it adds a fresh smell to your clothing if you dry them on a clothesline instead of inside your dryer.

Generally, if you laundry appliances have their days, think about buying new ones. First, newer models tend to be more efficient. This is especially true for dryers - new models are now commonly equipped with moisture sensors which allow your dryer to stop working as soon as your clothes are clean. While the purchase may be painful for your budget, the savings will quickly become visible and the appliances will pay off in a few years' time at most.

One more thing: never wash towels after a single use. You can safely use them for a few days before throwing them into the washer. Even though it is practically the only piece of clothing you may reuse several times, it will greatly reduce the amount of laundry you do every month.