An 'overlooked' setting can half the cost of doing laundry – it takes seconds
HOUSEHOLDS could be wasting much-needed money on doing laundry by not adjusting their washing machine settings.
This is because many are not aware of a smart setting to save energy and reduce your bills.
Most washing machine models come with an eco mode, which can be used to save the environment – and some money.
These settings use less water and ensure that you use less energy to heat the water while washing your clothes.
An eco wash usually has a temperature of 30C, lower than the typical wash setting. And although they last longer, they are more energy efficient.
According to USwitch, running a washing machine on normal settings three times a week could cost households around £56.57 a year in energy.
Using eco mode on a washing machine can save you between 35% and 59% energy, depending on the make and model of your appliance.
It means households can save up to €26.59 on their annual energy bill by using their appliance in eco mode.
But the exact amount depends on how much you use your washing machine and the energy it consumes, so you can save even more.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch said: “Eco settings on washing machines work by heating the water to a lower temperature, using less energy.
“This means wash cycles can take longer to ensure the appliances leave the clothes clean.
“A temperature of 30 degrees Celsius should be sufficient for most clothing, excluding particularly dirty or stained garments.
“If your clothes are still very wet when you take them out of the washing machine, you can use the spin setting.
“Spinning removes excess water, which means your clothes will dry faster on a drying rack, or take less time in the dryer.”
If you're a lighter person, it might be a good idea to use a dehumidifier as well.
Drying clothes on radiators, cooking without ventilation and not opening windows can all lead to excess moisture in the air.
One of the best ways to protect your home is to invest in a dehumidifier that will keep your home moisture-free.
The Sun recently tried a great value dehumidifier from B&M to dry clothes – and we'll never use a tumble dryer again.
More ways to save on laundry and reduce bills
If you're in the market for a new machine, choosing a more efficient washing machine can save money in the long run.
It may cost more up front, but you will spend less over the life of the product.
If you give the washing machine an extra spin before putting your laundry in the dryer, it can shorten the time you have the dryer on.
Tumble dryers use a lot more energy so reducing these costs can add up, and in better weather you can of course avoid this altogether if you can let them air dry.
Reducing the number of charges can help reduce your consumption and your bill, and making sure you get a full charge every time is one way to do this.
What energy bill help can I get this winter?
Thousands of households are to receive up to £25 free cash after cold weather payments were activated in hundreds of postcodes.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing out the free money to help struggling Britons during cold spells.
And eligible households will receive the money directly into their bank account within fourteen days.
The cold weather payments are made in locations where residents experience persistent sub-zero weather.
Households can get £25 during any seven-day period of low temperatures from now until March 31.
In November, cold weather payments were activated in nearly 300 zip codes, meaning thousands of households owe cash.
In addition, millions are owed up to £600 in winter fuel payments.
You must have received this no later than January 26, 2024.
If you have not received your payment by then, you will need to call the office that pays your benefits.
You will find this information in the letters they have sent you.
And if it turns out that you are not eligible for the winter fuel payment, but you still want to challenge that decisionthere is also a government form for that.
Millions of people on benefits will also receive the final £299 cost of living payment in February.
We previously explained who is eligible and whether you need to take action to get it.
Additional support is also offered by councils in Great Britain through the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
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