Wash with cold water. Over 80 percent of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load's energy use in half, and using cold water will save even more.
Washing at 30 degrees will save you 38% on running costs rather than washing at 40.
Many assume that quick wash is just as cheap as the eco wash cycle. However, this is not the case. Eco wash uses a slower spin speed and cooler water. This means it uses less electricity, and thus costs less.
In turn, because an eco-wash uses less electricity, it also helps to save you plenty of money. Eco-wash reduces the energy consumption of your washing machine by more than 50%. This means that with the clever use of an eco-wash, you can easily reduce the cost of running your washing machine by half.
With eco mode you're using less water and a lower temperature than most settings. Usually though, you're in for a longer wash to get the same level of cleaning. That's because heating up the water takes the most energy. In fact, 90% of a washing machine's energy consumption comes from that.
Select the temperature based on the contents of the load: for whites, select hot water; for colors, select cool or warm. Keep in mind that cotton and synthetic towels of any color will get the cleanest when washed in warm to hot water.
Delicate cycle: perfect for your sensitive fabrics, preventing shrinking and material breakdown. Cotton cycle: Permanent Press/Synthetics cycle for fabrics requiring normal agitation but a slower spin cycle to avoid wrinkling. Bedding/Bulky/Heavy cycle: designed for heavily soiled laundry such as beddings or towels.
Intense or Deep Clean: Depending on the type of machine, intensive washing can take anywhere from 2.5 hours to 4 hours because it requires water to be heated to 90 degrees Celsius and the clothes to remain in the water for an extended period of time.
A laundry cycle's length determines how much energy it uses. Opting for a shorter cycle can save power without any noticeable difference. Try options such as “quick wash” and increased speeds such as “rapid”, especially for smaller loads, and save time while you're saving energy.
Choose the Right Wash Cycle
A regular cycle is best for sturdy and dirty clothes, while the permanent press setting is fine for the average load. Use the delicate cycle for lacy and loosely woven fabrics. Use hot water for white loads, warm water for the average load, and cold water for bright colors.
Use a cold water or 30°C cycle where possible. You're only likely to need warmer temperatures for particularly dirty clothes, bad stains or underwear. A cold wash will not only save energy but help the planet too.
Cost Effective Strategies for Doing Laundry at Home
Save on energy and water by washing full loads, using cold water, and air drying clothes. Choose cost-effective supplies and invest in an energy-efficient washing machine for long-term savings.
LG has consistently emerged as the best washer brand, often vying for the top spot with Speed Queen in Consumer Reports. This reputation cements LG's status as one of the best brand washers. A key factor in LG's popularity is its impressively low repair rates, making it a reliable choice in the appliance market.
For everyday clothes, the top load machines with features like fuzzy logic and air turbo are ideal. They provide effective cleaning while being gentle on fabrics. The front load machines are great for delicates and formal wear as they have specialized wash programs that clean thoroughly while preventing damage.
Energy companies often charge more per unit of electricity during "peak hours". These are usually in the late afternoon and early evening when energy demand is highest. To save money, aim to run your washing machine and dryer outside these hours.
A Heavy Duty wash cycle, which helps handle heavily soiled items, can take anywhere from 1 to just over 2 hours. In addition to longer cycle times, the Heavy Duty setting works by using hot or warm water and high spin speeds to clean heavily soiled items.
Overall, a 30-minute wash can be a convenient option for lightly soiled clothes or refreshing garments. However, for heavily soiled items or set-in stains, a longer wash cycle at a higher temperature is recommended.
In a top-load washing machine, a normal wash cycle can take between 60–80 minutes to complete, depending on the brand and model. The wash cycle times for top load washers may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your washing machine.
Whenever possible, use those with lower temperatures and shorter durations. Only wash clothes with stubborn dirt at 90 °C. Usually, 60 °C is more than sufficient. If the garments are not particularly dirty, use even lower temperatures (40 degrees is fine in many cases).
The normal cycle is a bit more aggressive, so it's ideal for sturdy fabrics, like denim, bedding, towels, and most clothing. As the name implies, the heavy duty cycle should be reserved for heavily soiled items since it's longer and uses a high-speed spin.
Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. A sanitizing cycle can also be used, but may not be recommended for every wash, depending on the towel fabric.
Other high-power appliances are the water heater, the refrigerator, and the washer and dryer. These aren't appliances that you can unplug to save energy. Instead, you should look for energy-efficient models that consume less water and power.