With modern washing machines and detergents, washing your clothes in cold water gets them just as clean as washing in hot water but saves a lot of energy. With really tough loads, you can still make a difference by washing in warm but rinsing in cold. Not only an energy saver but washing clothes in cold water allows fabrics to retain their color and strength longer.

According to various sources on the internet, switching to cold water washing  could amount to a savings between $52 and $145 each year in water heating costs.

“Since 86 percent of the energy consumed by a washing machine goes to heating the water, one household can eliminate 1,600 pounds of annual carbon dioxide emissions by washing in cold.” (Sierra Club Magazine)