[alternatives?]

One can wash them by hand. You can also dry them outside. Not a lot of water used.

[metmom]

I line dry everything I can as long as I can.

Then I throw it in the dryer to de-bug them and soften them a bit.

Towels I try to catch just slightly damp so they soften up, too.

[cherry]

in general, clothes do not need to be washed in a washing machine every single time they are worn...

frequent washing of clothes leads to the fabric being worn down.....

take your physically clean clothes....not underwear or socks...but sweaters, shirts, etc.....shake them out, and hang them outside to air out...infact, hang all your clothes outside even after you wash them....not using the dryer really helps to keep your clothes in good condition and plus, your clothes smell wonderful and you save on electricity.