We have a front loader with lots of stars for energy and for water. So I think that although I wash a bit, I'm saving a lot too. I try to really limit my washing, but sometimes I just need to do the nappies because they stink (damn ammonia) or we've run out of something or DF needs his uniform washed.
Our washing machine is a water-efficient front loader and it only uses the right amount of water for the load size. So I was really surprised at just how much difference daily washing made. We have a water tank which we use for all outside watering so I don't need to use the grey water either. I will keep going the way I am now with bigger loads less frequently and hope that I can keep on top of it all. The worst thing is when I am hanging out a load to dry at 10pm at night after work and I wish it was a smaller load!
We're not on water restrictions here, thankfully, but I do still try to be mindful of water usage (because the day may come!!). Up until recently, we were renting so never got to see what our water usage was like, and now we're living in our own home but we haven't been here long enough to get an idea of what's going on with our usage (I'm not even sure if we will be paying the rates, DH's step-grandparents are handling the trust, which the house is part of so we will probably never see a bill, it'll go straight to them in Melbourne).
Personally, I wash quite a lot - DH has work clothes that need doing twice a week (he only has three uniforms), and I'm wearing the same five or so outfits day in, day out because I'm preggers and refuse to spend money on maternity clothes when I have a few bits and pieces that get me through (babydoll tops, hipster jeans etc that fit under or over my belly), and DD is consantly getting herself filthy so she goes through a fair few sets of clothes...
So I usually let it build up as much as I can, then dedicate a whole day to doing nothing but laundry. Sometimes, that ends up being two or even three days a week of load after load, especially when you throw in things like towels, bed linens etc. I only do half loads for things like DH's work clothes (our washing machine is massive so it fits a good week's worth of stuff, but we can adjust the water levels so I'm not wasting huge amounts on three sets of clothes), and I try to make a fuller load by doing my underwear and warm-wash stuff with DD's clothes (I like having my knickers washed in her sensitive detergent, too!!), and then just doing all the black clothes (that's pretty much all DH and I wear, denim and black stuff) together.
I find I use less water if I wash "almost" daily. This is mainly due to me bucketing the bath water into the machine, if I do multiple loads in a day, then one load uses 100% tank water. I would be washing all day if I washed once a week, plus we only really have line space for 2 loads. Also DH needs his work shirts done mid week. Most loads are full, it tends to be the whites/delicates load that is smaller and I will adjust the level on the machine for that one. We are on tabk water, so we are very concious of water usage.
For some reason I feel better if there is a load of washing on. The house can be a disaster, but the washing will be done, it may not be folded, but it is clean.
Mabello: FYI, grey water is fine on ornamental gardens, but should not be used on veggies/
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