Many of us are keeping an extra eye on our spends at the moment due to the current high energy prices.
Big household appliances such as washing machines are guilty of using up a lot of energy, which can have a big impact on our bills if we use them often.
It was recently revealed there are certain times of the day you should never use the washing machine, as 'peak times' mean they're more expensive to run.
But in contrast to that, there's a seven-hour window in the day that is a much more cost-effective time to put a load on.
That's according to Deyan Dimitrov, laundry expert and CEO of Laundryheap. He says putting a washing on early in the morning could help you cut costs, depending on the type of tariff you are on.
He explained: "Depending on your energy tariff, demand for electricity can greatly impact your energy bill. This means that the time you choose to run your washing machine and tumble dryer can greatly affect your spending. When drying or washing clothes, make sure to avoid any time between 4pm and 7pm, as this is the most popular and expensive period.
"If possible, I would recommend using the time delay setting on your washing machine, as this function allows you to control when a washing cycle starts. Given that energy prices are at their lowest between 10pm and 5am, I would advise scheduling your washing machine to run into the early hours of the morning. Doing this can help you to significantly cut down energy costs."
As well as this, Deyan also suggested a couple more things that we can do to slash costs when washing our clothes.
And one of them is as simple as opting for a colder cycle, as it could make your washing machine more energy efficient.
Deyan explained: "By washing your clothes at lower temperatures, and for less time, you’ll be able to increase your washing machine’s efficiency. A 30 degree washing cycle can reduce your machine's energy output by 50% in comparison to a 40-60 degree wash.
"Use hot washes sparingly, and prioritise any items which are exposed to lots of bacteria (such as sportswear, bedding and towels). Using the eco button on your machine will allow you to make additional savings."
Finally, if you tumble dry your clothes, Deyan suggests making a couple of simple changes to the way you do this, which could mean your bills aren't as high.
He continued: "When drying your laundry, try to use a cooler cycle. Whilst this may take a little longer than a hotter cycle, your energy consumption will still be much lower. This will prevent you from over-drying the items. If your clothes are warm when you remove them from your dryer, they’ve been in for too long!"
Deyan added: "Timing your tumble drying is another great way to save money. If you’re able to switch between different drying loads quickly, your tumble dryer will stay warm. This will conserve any leftover heat and reduce the drying time of your next load."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
