Energy Saving Tips For Your Washing Machine

Your washing machine is one of the most used appliances in your home so will naturally use a lot of energy. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent your washing machine from using up too much energy in your home and help you save on household bills.

To start saving energy when using your washing machine, watch our YouTube video or take a look at our tips and advice below:

The first few tips are going to focus on helping you save energy while using your washing machine.

Before you start your cycle, make sure you have a full load. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy heating water and turning the drum whether you're washing a full load or just a couple of items. However, this doesn't mean cramming in as many items as possible. Be sure to fill the drum around three-quarters full so your laundry has space to move around and items are fully separated so they don't get tangled together.

When choosing your wash cycle, always go for the most eco-friendly option that suits your needs. The 'quick wash' cycle is great for saving energy on smaller, lightly-soiled loads as it uses less water and has a shorter spin cycle. Just be aware that it won't always give the best results on larger loads or more heavily soiled clothing.

Most washing machines have an in-built eco-wash setting which will also save energy compared to the regular wash settings. You'll need to pre-plan your washes when using this though as eco-washes usually take longer than regular washes. This is so that clothes are washed for longer to compensate for the fact that less water is used or the water's heated to a lower temperature.

A bonus of using eco-friendly wash cycles is that your clothes will last longer as they're either spending less time in the machine or being washed at lower temperatures which are kinder to fabrics. However, if you do use cold cycles often, be sure to run a hot wash at least once a month to get rid of bacteria and prevent the build-up of odours in your machine.

For heavier items or those that are stained or soiled, it's a good idea to soak them before washing. This will help to remove stubborn marks and prevent you from having to wash them a second time, which would use double the water and energy.

To reduce drying time for these heavier items, use a high spin speed. Items will come out of a higher spin almost dry so there is less need for tumble drying. But a big energy saving tip is to dry your clothes on a drying rack or hang them outside instead of using your dryer wherever possible.

A good tip for when you're buying heavier items, like bath towels, is to opt for a more lightweight material. This will save on washing and drying time so you'll save energy throughout the whole life of the item.

If during your washing cycle, you notice that your machine seems to be shaking more or the spin is noisier than usual, this could be due to an uneven load. Uneven loads are bad for the effectiveness of the wash and put wear and tear on the internal parts of your washer too. Make sure that you even out items by putting multiple heavy items like towels or jeans together in the same wash. You can also check out our article on how to prevent a washing machine from spinning noisily for other ways to prevent this.

When it comes to buying a new washing machine, look for a model with the most efficient A+++ energy rating. However, here at eSpares, we believe a new machine should only be bought as an absolute last resort. The hands-down most efficient way to save money and energy when your machine develops a fault is to repair it instead of replacing it. Doing so means you won't have to fork out for a brand new machine and fewer washing machines need to be produced which helps the environment too. You can take a look here on our Advice Centre for handy step by step advice and guidance to help you diagnose and fix appliance faults yourself. If you do need to replace your appliance and have chosen an energy-efficient model, we have some advice and guidance on how to install it yourself.

Using too much detergent in your machine pollutes the environment and won't make your clothing any cleaner. In fact, the opposite can happen as the excess may not dissolve fully and may leave residue on your clothes. The more detergent you use, the more you'll end up spending on it too, so this isn't efficient money-wise either. Excess detergent can also be bad for the washing machine itself. If the detergent foams up too much in the machine, this can actually trigger an overfilling error code which would mean you'd have to reset your machine and start the wash all over again.

The next set of tips will provide advice on cleaning and maintaining your washing machine. Regularly keeping your machine in tip-top shape can help it to save energy and keep it lasting for longer too.

Detergent and limescale can build up in your machine over time and can lead to bad smells and even faults developing. To keep your machine clean and lasting for longer, you'll need to run a monthly maintenance wash with a washing machine cleaner and descaler. Choose a hot wash over 60 degrees and run an empty cycle, adding the cleaner inside.

Check out our video below with advice on how to use a cleaner and descaler and what else you can do to clean a smelly washing machine.

Another monthly job is to clean your washing machine filter if possible. A clogged filter will mean your machine pump has to work harder and will therefore use more energy. In most front loading washing machines, you will find the filter located at the front base of the machine behind a flap underneath the door.

To help prevent the filter from getting blocked and keep your machine working efficiently, remember to check your clothes before putting them in the wash. Empty pockets of any small items or change as this could get clogged in the filter or drain pump and damage your washer. You can also prevent smaller items such as socks or pants from getting stuck in the drum by placing them inside a pillowcase or a mesh laundry bag. This will also mean your socks will stop going missing too!

If you do find that your items have got stuck in the drum, take a look at our article which shows you how to remove them.

We hope that these tips will help you use your washing machine more efficiently and save money on your energy bills.

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