For the American Cleaning Institute, National Laundry Day falling on Tax Day is not a coincidence. It’s the apropos time to educate laundry doers on the added cost of washing their clothes in hot water over cold water.

In a survey conducted by Wakefield Research and released from the institute on the matter, 41% of survey respondents admit to washing their clothes in hot water over cold, despite the act coming with a $200-per-year price tag.

Since 80% of Americans opt to clean over sign income tax paperwork, the ACI is hoping they’ll be smart about economizing their laundry.

Laundry Misconceptions

What’s more, nearly half (47%) of respondents reported prioritizing doing laundry as a way to stay healthy. While doing laundry promotes better health by reducing allergens, dust mites and bacteria that accumulate on clothing and linens, officials say there is a misconception that removing these germs and allergens requires hot water.

To debunk this myth, the ACI is underscoring that while warmer water temperatures may be warranted if someone in the home is sick or immunocompromised, for most healthy households, laundry this is not necessary.

Household cleaning experts also advise that cold water washing preserves the quality and longevity of clothes by preventing fading, shrinkage and stain removal. The ACI conjectures the average home will save approximately $200 a year on electricity bills by washing in cold instead of hot water, making it a “win-win” for wallet and wardrobe.

“Every small action counts in keeping the earth healthy and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Nathan Sell, senior director, sustainability, ACI. “By adopting cold water washing, we can collectively make a positive impact on the environment as well as our clothes.”