As the cost of living crisis continues to make households more wary of using energy-intensive devices, many people are looking for ways to reduce the cost of using some devices.
One appliance, the washing machine, is a staple of every household, however, the machines can cost a pretty penny - depending on how much it is used as well as the make.
While they are one of the most costly appliances in the home, being used regularly, around two to three times a week, there are some easy changes which can help people save some cash.
READ MORE: The three 'expensive' hours in the day you should switch off the washing machine and avoid using it
Lots of people avoid putting on a cooler wash cycle on their machine, either from habit or the fear that their garments will not be cleaned properly.
However, thanks to innovations in washing machine technology and detergent pods mean cooler washes can work just as well.
In conjunction with this, maintaining the washing machine by cleaning it regularly can help prevent the build-up of limescale and mould which can cause the appliance to work harder.
Here are some top tricks to keep money down when using a washing machine.
Lower temperatures
Rebecca Bebbington at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk told Express: “Washing your clothes can cost a fortune if you’re leaving the machine on all day, especially if you’re doing multiple washes at a high temperature.
“To save money, keep the temperature at a moderate 30C as higher settings can use more energy. Washing your clothes at a cooler temperature still does the job and costs less to run.”
The expert added: “Expensive washes can also be a result of the settings on your machine. Having your clothes set on a simple 30-minute wash with a spin rate of 1,00 works just as well.
“If you need to do a deeper wash for bedding, try the eco mode setting to use less water and electricity, although this will take longer.
“If you want to lower the costs even more, we advise cleaning out the filter once a month to get rid of any excess dirt and dust.
“If this builds up in the filter, it can make the machine heat up and use more energy. Soapy water and a sponge can be used to clean the machine, but washing up liquid also works equally well and has a shiny finish.
“For any tight corners, use an old toothbrush to get rid of excess dirt.”
The filter is located at the bottom of the machine and the role is to prevent fibres and dirt from ending up in the pump.
Clean the filter
Karren Barrigan, a cleaning expert at Housetastic.co.uk, said the filter can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria and nasty smells.
She added: “Empty the filter and allow any trapped dirt and water to escape - lay down a towel if needed.
“Give the cavity once over with a cloth to remove any excess and then replace the filter and cover.”
Make sure to clean these three areas at least every couple of months to maintain good hygiene and ensure the machine works to the best of its ability.
Waiting for a full load
Rebecca also recommended waiting to do a full load before turning the machine on, no matter how tempting it may be to keep the wash basket empty.
If you do need to wash something quickly, hand wash the clothing item and put them on an airer, making sure to do it first thing in the morning so there is enough time for it to dry.
She continued: “One of the easiest ways to save cash is to stop using the washer dryer for drying unnecessary loads of washing.
“Put the clothes on a spin after the wash to get rid of excess water and then hang them up to dry.
“For thicker materials, a second spin may be needed but it still costs less than drying it.”
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