Laundry habits can make a huge difference when it comes to energy bills. Washing machines are among the more energy-intensive appliances in the home, so how you use yours could be costing more than you realise.
Small details of your routine, like the temperature of your wash and the time of day you run your machine, determine how much this appliance contributes to your bills at the end of the month. One of those defining laundry habits is how much detergent is used. Many people assume that adding extra soap will leave clothes cleaner, especially when dealing with heavily stained items.
However, the reality is that this habit could be driving up your water and energy usage.
“Using too much detergent causes extra rinse cycles to remove residue, which increases water and energy usage,” explained a spokesperson from the Grant Store.
To avoid this, it’s best to just follow the clothes’ manufacturer’s dosage instructions, or use detergent pods for the convenience of pre-dosed detergent.
Overloading your machine can also have a negative effect – not just on cleaning results, but on energy consumption.
When clothes are packed too tightly, they can’t move freely, making the wash less effective and forcing the machine to work harder.
Yet washing too few items isn’t any better, as smaller loads still use nearly the same amount of water and electricity.
As the Grant Store specialists advised: “As a ‘golden rule,’ leave at least the width of one hand’s space at the top of the drum.”
They also highlighted the difference switching from hot to cold or warm washes can make, explaining: “Many modern detergents work effectively even at cold or warm temperatures.
“For everyday laundry, cold washes can remove stains and bacteria just as well as hot water, while saving a considerable amount of energy.”