You can cut down on the number of loads of laundry you do each week by washing only full loads and being more selective about what you consider dirty. Washing machine manufacturers recommend running full loads to get the most efficiency out of your machine. You can also cut down on your loads by being more selective about what actually needs to be washed. Shirts and pants may be able to get more than one use before washing. Do your kids like to change clothes multiple times a day? Those clothes have likely not had a chance to get dirty and can be worn another day rather than simply being tossed in the wash.