It turns out the time of day you do your laundry could make a big difference
As energy costs skyrocket this winter, households across Britain are struggling to afford adequate heating. Yet, a simple tweak in your laundry habits could help reduce your energy bills.
Les Roberts from Bionic shared: “One way to cut down on costs when using a washing machine is to check the efficiency of your device. The energy rating should be printed on the energy label of your washing machine device and will be ranked from G to A, with A being the most efficient model.
“The more efficient models cut the kWh used per cycle significantly, so running costs will be much lower. Generally speaking, older machines tend to be less energy efficient, so it might be worth upgrading if you’ve had your washer for more than 10 years.”
Whether running your machine at specific times saves money depends on your electricity tariff. This is particularly relevant for those on time-of-use or off-peak arrangements, noted the expert.
Electricity costs drop during periods of reduced demand when the National Grid experiences less pressure. Les pointed out that this typically happens between 10pm and 8am, reports the Express.
He further added: “Costs can sometimes be 50% lower during these hours, so it can definitely be worth doing your load overnight and taking advantage of these off-peak prices.”
Meanwhile, David Palmer, LG’s Senior Product Specialist for Home Appliances, shared further money-saving tips for doing laundry: “Washing machines are more energy efficient when performing at lower temperatures for longer durations.”
He explained how wash temperature affects energy use, saying: “The temperature you choose to wash your clothes at has an impact on your energy usage. If you choose to wash at 20°C or lower, you can minimise the amount of energy your washing machine consumes.”
Modern detergents are now designed to work well in colder water. Ariel, a leading detergent brand in the UK, suggests washing at cooler temperatures, such as 20°C or 30°C, not only to help preserve colour but also to reduce shrinkage.
This approach works particularly well for lightly soiled items such as seasonal clothing that simply needs refreshing. However, for heavily stained clothes, towels, or bedding, a hotter wash is recommended to kill bacteria and tackle mould – typically above 40°C or even 60°C.
For clothes with light soiling, Ariel recommends opting for a cooler wash. Palmer also highlighted a frequent mistake that can impact efficiency: “Overdosing with detergent can also affect your washing machine’s energy efficiency.”
He warned that using too much detergent can lead to additional strain on the machine, poorer cleaning results, and potential damage to clothing, necessitating replacements and negating any cost savings.
Deyan Dimitrov from Laundryheap has debunked a common “common misconception” suggesting that heavily soiled garments or bedding require more detergent. The laundry specialist warned that this practice could cause “more harm than good”, particularly when it comes to bed linen.
He said: “Not only can too much detergent stain your sheets (especially if they’re white), but it can also wear down their fibres, eventually causing holes and tears.”
Ditch the washing powder and opt for “half a cup of baking soda and vinegar to wash your bedsheets”.
David recommended a more “economic” approach to laundry habits, which means running full loads rather than multiple half-sized ones. Overloading the machine with too many items could result in inadequate cleaning, and issues may arise with the detergent pod dissolving properly.
