Underused washing machine setting saves money on your energy bill and it’s better for your clothes too

DOING the washing is one of those chores that most of us don't give much thought but you can wring some big savings from your machine with a couple of easy moves.

Even though washing appliances come with a number of different settings, chances are that you don't know the difference between these different cycles and how they can trim your energy bills.

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And there is one particular mode that can save you a lot of cash over time, as well as keeping your wardrobe looking better for longer.

Most washing machines have an eco setting but not enough people realise the benefits.

On this cycle, your appliance will use both less water and less energy helping to trim down your bills.

Unless your laundry is heavily soiled, it will still come out sparkling clean on the eco wash.

The eco setting typically runs at 30 degrees instead of a higher temperature.

However, many people don't realise the benefits.

Helind Morais, from home appliance firm LG Electronics, said: "What some people don’t realise, is that most items can be washed on an eco-cycle setting.

"Hot washes can be saved for items such as bedding, towels and sportswear, as these are most likely to host more bacteria, however standard clothing can be washed at a cooler temperature - including stained items. "

In a year, you'd save £24 by switching to a 30 degree wash and cutting down by one cycle a week, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Arun Bhatoye, from manufacturer Hisense, adds: “Eco settings typically use less water and energy, which can lower your utility bills.

"A particularly handy feature given the rising costs of both water and electricity in the UK. 

“By using less water and energy, you can also help reduce your environmental footprint.

"While eco settings may use lower temperatures or shorter wash cycles, they are still effective at cleaning clothes.”

Washing at a lower temperature helps keeps clothes from additional stress that can wear down fibres and leave them looking more tired more quickly. You'll also help avoid shrinking materials.

The exact amount you'll save depends on your washing machine model and your energy and water tariffs.

The other benefit of washing on the lower temperature with an eco setting is that it

The thing to take into account is that eco settings can take longer, so factor that in when planning your laundry, especially if you're in a hurry.

Items such as towels, bedding and underwear should still be washed on a higher temperature cycle to help kill bacteria.

But an eco setting is perfect for clothes such as tops that have had light wear and need a light clean.

Arun also recommends regularly cleaning of your machine to help keep it running at its best and to avoid breakdowns and prevent buildup of detergent and mould.

Running an empty hot wash once a month can help clean the machine including drum.

Arun adds: “After a wash cycle, leave the washing machine door open to air it out and prevent mould growth.”

More ways to save on laundry bills

It's not just eco settings that can slash your energy bills when doing the laundry.

Make sure you only run the machine when it's fully loaded. Cutting down on a half full cycle each week adds up to significant savings over a year.

Consider using colder washes more frequently. A large part of the energy consumer by a machine is to simply heat the water.

When drying clothes, try to ditch the tumble drier where possible.

Drying clothes outside is easy and quick in the summer.

When temperatures are cooler, consider investing in a heated clothes airer which use far less energy than a drier.

And put your clothes on an extra spin cycle first to wring out as much water as possible.

If you do use a tumbler drier make sure all lint is removed from the filters, which can impact the efficiency of the machine and means it has to work harder and use more energy.

Popping an old tennis ball in a tumble drier with your laundry can help clothes to separate out and dry faster to help you use less energy.