If you are thinking about purchasing a new clothes washer, look for one that is ENERGY STAR® qualified.
ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. The washer design causes less wear and tear and fewer wrinkles on clothes. Bulky items such as blankets fit easily in the super capacity basket. Better water extraction during the spin cycle means less drying time, for more energy savings.

Use cold water settings.
Use cold water for the wash cycle instead of hot or warm, and use cold for rinses.

Clean the dryer filter after each use.
A clogged filter will restrict airflow and reduce dryer performance.

Load the washing machine to capacity.
Washing one large load will use less energy than washing two loads on a low or medium setting. When you don't have a full load, match the water level to the size of the load.

In good weather, consider hanging clothes outside to dry. It's free.

Don't over-dry clothes that you are going to iron.
Take clothes out while they are still slightly damp to reduce the need for ironing - another big energy user. Over-drying can cause shrinkage, generates static electricity and shortens fabric life.

Dry full loads when possible, but be careful not to overfill the dryer, because air needs to circulate around the clothes.