Everyone these days seems to be concerned about conserving water, especially in areas where there are water restrictions.
While there are many ways people use water every day, washing clothes often uses the most, depending on the number of loads and type of machine.
Have you ever wondered just how much water your washing machine uses?
We have researched carefully to bring you the facts so you will know how much water your machine is using and, therefore, your laundry water expenditure daily, weekly, and even monthly.
How Much Water Does a Washing Machine Use for One Load?
Many people view doing the laundry as an unwanted chore. It can be even more stressful to wash your clothes when you factor in the amount of water each load requires.
It turns out the amount of water your washing machine uses will depend on its type and load size. Below, you will find the approximate amounts of water for each type, though you should always refer to your owner’s manual for the precise amounts of water for each load.
- Top-load washing machines with agitators use approximately 19 gallons of water.
- High-efficiency top-load washing machines without agitators use 13 gallons of water.
- High-efficiency front-load washing machines use nine gallons of water.
As you can see, older machines with agitators use the most water, while the newer front-load machines use less than half the amount.
If you are in the market for a new washing machine, a high-efficiency front loader is going to be more efficient in its use of water.
What Are the Average Water Usage Totals For Doing Laundry?
The amount of water you use for laundry per day, week, or month, depends on your family size and frequency of doing laundry.
The average household with four people will wash seven to eight loads of laundry a week. This averages out to about one load a day.
If you have a family of four, you are going to use the following gallons of water to do your laundry in an agitator-style top-load washing machine.
- 19 gallons a day
- 133 to 152 gallons a week
- 570 gallons a month
If you have a front-load high-efficiency washing machine, your family of four will use the following gallons of water.
- nine gallons of water per day
- 63 gallons of water per week
- 270 gallons of water per month
If you are single, you likely wash one to three loads of laundry a week. This equates to the following water usage for a top-load agitator washing machine.
- 19 to 57 gallons of water per week
- 76 to 228 gallons of water per month
If you have a front-load high-efficiency washing machine, you will use the following.
- 9 to 27 gallons per week
- 36 to 108 gallons per month
Tips for Saving Water While Washing Laundry
Washing laundry not only uses water but also a lot of energy, including yours. The following tips should help you save water while doing your laundry.
- Re-use your bath towels. Bath towels only need to be washed when they get dirty. For most people, this means washing them once a week.
- Although this will not save water, you should try to wash your laundry in cold water to save energy.
- Do not wash laundry until you have a full load. Washing one or two clothing pieces at a time will waste water and energy.
- If you do need to wash a smaller load, make sure you select the small load setting to save water.
- You can also skip the extra rinse cycle to save water on each load of laundry.
- Pre-treat your stains so you do not have to use the extensive wash cycle settings.
- Wash your jeans less frequently. Your jeans only need to be washed if they start to smell or become dirty. You can wear them several times before washing them.
- Upgrade to a high-efficiency washing machine.
It takes a concerted effort to cut down on your water usage. Laundry is something that cannot be escaped.
Thankfully, the tips above will reduce the amount of water you use each month, helping to cut down on your water bills.
Using a front-load high-efficiency washing machine, your family of four will use 9 gallons of water per day.
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Be Mindful While Washing Your Laundry
It is eye-opening to learn how much water is consumed with each load of laundry. If you are concerned about your water usage, use the tips above to cut down on the amount of consumption.
Making a few minor changes can help you reduce the amount of water and energy you use while doing laundry.
