Solution Spotlight: Solving Laundry Cycle Tracking with Smart Technology

Laundry day is a cornerstone of household routines, but it can quickly derail when wet clothes are forgotten in the washer. This common problem doesn’t just cost time—it wastes water, energy, and adds stress to a chore that’s already no one’s favorite. That’s where we came in to help a customer turn this frustration into a seamless, tech-enabled process.

The Solution: Smart Plug with Power Monitoring

Our solution started with selecting the right device for the job: a smart plug with power monitoring. This wasn’t just a plug-and-play decision. Smart plugs are a cost-effective alternative to standalone laundry monitors or expensive smart washer/dryer units, making them an accessible upgrade for any home. The built-in power monitoring features allowed us to track real-time energy usage, using wattage changes to determine when the washer or dryer was actively running.

But before installation, we made sure to verify that the smart plug could handle the washer and dryer’s amperage. This step ensured both safety and longevity for the appliances and the plug itself. Once compatibility was confirmed, we integrated the plug with Home Assistant, a powerful open-source platform for home automation.

Custom Alerts for a Personalized Experience

With the smart plug installed and integrated into Home Assistant, we moved on to customizing alerts for the customer’s laundry routine. A well-timed alert can make all the difference, but precision is key to avoid unnecessary notifications. To achieve this, we set two specific triggers:

1. "Laundry Started" Alert: The system monitors the smart plug’s power output. When it exceeds 5 watts for longer than five seconds, the plug determines that the washer or dryer has begun a cycle. This safeguard avoids false alerts caused by minor power fluctuations or blips.

2. "Laundry Done" Alert: Once the washer or dryer’s power usage drops to under 1 watt, the system sends a notification indicating that the laundry cycle is complete. This ensures the customer knows exactly when to transfer or collect their clothes without delay.

These alerts were configured using a simple alerting service called Pushover, which allowed us to send notifications directly to the customer’s smartphone and smartwatch. By connecting these notifications to devices the customer already uses, we made it easy to stay on top of the laundry without adding unnecessary distractions.

Why Home Assistant?

We chose Home Assistant as the automation platform for its unmatched versatility and customer-focused benefits. Home Assistant integrates seamlessly with a wide range of smart devices, making it an ideal choice for projects like this. It also prioritizes privacy, keeping all data and control local to the customer’s home. This means no reliance on third-party cloud services that might compromise privacy or reliability.

The platform is backed by a vibrant, constantly growing open-source community. Its robust design ensures reliability—no missed alerts or interruptions—and its open-source nature means it evolves with regular updates and new features. For this project, Home Assistant provided the stability and customization we needed to craft an efficient, worry-free laundry monitoring solution.

A Smarter, Smoother Laundry Routine

The results of this solution were immediate and impactful for the customer’s daily life. By eliminating the guesswork from their laundry routine, they no longer found themselves forgetting to change cycles or discovering mildewed clothes hours later. This simple yet effective automation saved them significant time and energy resources, reducing the need for repeated cycles and wasted water.

But the benefits didn’t stop there. The peace of mind provided by timely alerts also alleviated stress. No more moments of panic over whether the laundry was done in time for tomorrow’s activities. Instead, their household ran more smoothly, with clean clothes always ready when needed. This enhanced efficiency freed up the customer to focus on other priorities while knowing their laundry was under control.

Ready to Make Your Home Smarter?

This project is a perfect example of how simple, affordable smart home upgrades can solve everyday problems and make life easier. Whether it’s automating your laundry routine, improving energy efficiency, or enhancing your home’s comfort, smart technology is here to help.

If you’re ready to explore how smart home solutions can simplify your daily life, we’d love to help. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule a consultation—your smarter home is just a step away!