UK households may receive a letter stating their energy bills are rising this month.
It could lead people to tighten the purse strings in an effort to quell their spending habits, reports the Express.
One costly chore is getting the washing done - as running a washing machine during peak time can cost over an average rate.
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Thankfully, laundry category manager at Indesit, Vivien Fodor, has shared the exact times when you should be using your washing machine to keep energy costs as low as possible.
Read on below to find out more about the best tips to keep your clothes fresh, and your money in your pocket.
Washing on a colder temperature
Due to approximately 90 per cent of each wash cycles energy going to heating the water, one of the best and easiest ways to cut costs is to turn down the heat.
A shorter cycle of 30 degrees should be perfectly fine, and will use around 40 per cent less energy than a warmer wash.
The expert said: “Cold washes place less of a strain on your energy resources, resulting in more pounds in your purse.”
She added that getting rid of stains is possible on a cold wash, stating: "Try dabbing the garment with lemon juice and baking soda before loading into the machine.”
Avoid peak times for using energy
According to Vivien, those on a "time of use" tariff can pinpoint three hours of the day where it is "more expensive" for households to run their washing machines.
Vivien said: “The most expensive time to run your washing machine is between 4pm and 7pm.
“Wash your clothes for less by maximising the start delay function to programme the machine to run outside of peak energy times.”
This is the more expensive time, as many people are cooking, finishing their work and starting a washing.
This results in a higher demand for electricity during these times, so many suppliers put their price per kilowatt hour up at this peak time.
For those who are not sure whether their utility supplier has a variable rate based on peak and off-peak hours, contact them to find out.
The capacity of the machine does matter
Vivien has urged people to think carefully about how much they are putting into their washing machines, and how much the machine can hold when buying a new one.
She explained: "Machines with larger drum-sizes will use more energy than their more modest counterparts. A 5kg capacity is better for those who live alone, whereas a machine with a 10kg capacity is perfect for a larger family.
“If you have a large capacity machine, you can make the most of its capacity by running fewer wash cycles, which in turn saves energy and water.”
However, despite the size of the washing machine, people should always wait until they have an adequate amount of washing to put in before running a cycle.
Cleaning the washing machine is essential in its efficiency
A clean washing machine is the best way to keep it running as smoothly as possible, and more importantly, “save you the cost of repairs” - according to Vivien.
The expert said: "To destroy (yes, destroy) any limescale, add limescale remover to a hot wash every three months.
“Hot washes are generally more expensive to run but this one-off cycle could save you money in the long run by maintaining your existing machine.”
Load the machine properly
While many people do load their washing machines to the brim, this can actually limit the use of the machine, and “won’t properly wash your clothes”.
Consistently overloading the machine can even end up damaging the frame or motor - which will eventually require repair or replacement.
As a rule of thumb, households should still be able to touch the top of the drum when the machine is filled with their hand placed vertically above the laundry.
Loading the machine properly will ensure households get the most out of every wash, without the need to repeat the chore.
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