Washing tips

Tips for reducing the energy costs of your tumble dryer

• If possible, save on your energy bills by line-drying clothes whenever possible, even on dry winter days, rather than using the tumble dryer. Your clothes will feel and smell fresher.
• If you are considering buying a new tumble-dryer, look out for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo – this guarantees that you are buying one of the most energy efficient appliances available on the market. All Energy Saving Trust Recommended dryers are either A or B rated for energy efficiency or have an electronic sensor system to ensure the clothes are not dried for longer than necessary.
• Spinning your clothes on the washing machine’s highest spin cycle will remove as much water as possible, so they will dry more quickly on the line or in the tumble dryer.
• If you have a washer/dryer make sure you don’t accidentally use the tumble dryer function when you don’t need it.
• Make sure your tumble dryer’s filters are fluff free.
• Don’t dry for longer than needed – it wastes energy.
• Switch your tumble dryer off at the plug socket when not in use.
• Sort out the washed clothes to make sure only the ones that need to be tumble dried get included on the drying cycle.

Tips for reducing the energy costs of your washing machine

• If you are thinking of buying a new washing machine, look out for the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo – this guarantees that the appliance you buy is in the top 20% of the market for energy efficiency. All Energy Saving Trust Recommended washing machines are A-rated for energy efficiency, spin efficiency and wash performance.
• Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than at higher temperatures uses around 40% less energy. Modern washing powders and detergents work just as effectively at lower temperatures so unless you have very dirty washing, bear this in mind.
• Wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash - two half-loads use more energy than a single full load.
• If possible, make sure that the machine is turned off at the socket when not in use. If any lights are on, then the machine will still be using electricity.
• Try to minimise unnecessary washing by hanging up clothes to air after wearing them so you can get the maximum use out of each item before needing to wash it.
• Line-dry clothes whenever possible, especially during the summer months, but also on dry winter days – your clothes will feel and smell fresher too.
• Hang or fold clothes up straight away after drying them so they will need less ironing.

Tips for reducing the energy costs of your washer dryer

• Wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash - two half-loads use more energy than a single full load.
• Improve the quality of the washing and drying by performing the regular maintenance suggested in the manual, such as cleaning out the dispenser drawer and lint filter.
• When you do use the drier function, choose a wash cycle with a higher final spin speed so that more water is removed from the clothes during spinning and they need less time in the drying cycle. Spinning clothes does not consume much energy
• Don’t dry for longer than needed – it wastes energy
• If possible, make sure that the machine is turned off at the socket when not in use.