In the heatwave many of us wash more clothes than usual which can lead to costly bills.
Martin Lewis has warned households to be aware of the amount of energy they are using given the expected 64% hike in October, following industry analysts’ new prediction that the Ofgem price cap will rise to £3,245. The increase is expected to cripple households, specifically families working primarily from home alongside with the vulnerable and those on low incomes.
The Money Saving Expert has also warned not having a Prime Minister until September 5 is “too late” to prevent the “panic” that will stem from the Ofgem price hike confirmation expected in August. He added that by then, direct debits will already be rising, not leaving ministers enough time to act - reports the Daily Record.
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Deyan Dimitrov, the laundry expert and CEO of Laundryheap, has offered his advice on how households can combat the looming increase. He explained there are seven easy tips to avoid increased energy demand including not filling basins too high and using lower heat washes.
1. Run your machines later in the day - but not while you are asleep
There are certain times at which running your washing machine or tumble dryer can eat up your energy bill, as increased demand can make electricity more expensive depending on your tariff.
The most expensive time for you to wash or dry your clothes is between 4pm and 7pm, so try to avoid using your machines between these hours.
Energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am - perfect for night owls and early risers, but make sure you follow fire safety guidance and never put a washing in and head to bed for the night.
If you need to dry your clothes during the day, the timing of your tumble drying cycles can also help save you money.
Switching loads while the dryer is still warm from its previous cycle can conserve the remaining heat inside the dryer for your next load of clothes. This can help shorten drying time, as the machine won’t need to work as hard to dry your clothes.
2. The colder the cycle the better
Washing your clothes at cooler temperatures, and for less time, can greatly increase your machine’s energy efficiency - a 30 degree cycle can cut your washing machine’s energy use in half, in comparison to a 40-60 degree cycle.
It’s more cost-effective to save your hot washes for any bedding, towels and sportswear, as these items are most likely to host a multitude of bacteria. For even further savings, use the eco setting on your washing machine, if it has one.
When it comes to drying your laundry, it’s also more efficient if you run a cooler cycle - even if this means it will take longer to dry, your overall energy consumption will be much lower and you will also be less likely to over-dry your clothes - if your clothes come out warm to touch, they’ve been in for too long.
3. Fill your basins with the right loads
It’s much more efficient to do a large load of laundry rather than lots of smaller ones, so make sure you fill your machine with a suitable load.
An overfilled washing machine may not wash your laundry thoroughly enough, and an overpacked dryer can take too long to dry your clothing. A good way to ensure that your machine will run as efficiently as possible is to check if you can still touch the top of the basin after filling either machine with your laundry. If you can’t fit your hand in and amongst your clothing, the machine is overpacked.
Also, make sure to untangle your laundry before putting it in the washing machine or dryer, as smaller items could become stuck or wrapped up in larger items, (such as duvet covers or pillow cases) which can prevent them from getting properly washed or dried.
4. Maintain your machines
To keep your washing machine in top condition, it’s best to clean it every three months. Pour two cups of white vinegar into your machine’s detergent drawer, and run your machine on its hottest cycle. After the first run, add half a cup of baking soda directly into the basin and run a hot cycle again.
Alternatively, running a hot cycle with a limescale-removing product is just as effective. This can help to get rid of any build-up that could affect the performance of your machine, to keep it working efficiently for as long as possible.
For your dryer, remember to regularly clean its lint filter for maximum efficiency, ideally after each cycle. A lot of lint and hair can accumulate from just one load, which can hinder your machine from properly drying big and dense items.
5. Use bio capsules for more effective stain removal
If you would like to start washing your clothes at cooler temperatures, Deyan says it’s best to buy bio capsules or bio laundry detergent, as they contain enzymes that can be activated at lower temperatures than non-bio products. These detergents will be better at breaking down your clothing’s dirt and stains during a colder wash - there are even detergents specifically for cold water washes. However, it’s worth noting that non-bio detergents are better for sensitive skin, as they contain less harsh enzymes.
6. Invest in some dryer balls
Adding wool or rubber dryer balls to your dryer during a cycle, will help to separate your clothes and increase their exposure to airflow, which can overall reduce drying time and the length at which your dryer needs to run for, saving you energy. Wool balls can even soak up some of the moisture in your machine and cut down drying time even more.
7. Air dry when possible
One of the best ways to dry without putting heating on at night and propping an indoor dryer in front of a radiator is to pop it in the warmest room in the house and close the doors - you'd be surprised how quickly clothes can dry, especially if you leave them overnight.
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