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Expert Guidance
Your washing machine and dryer accounts for a significant portion of energy consumption in your home. With rising power costs, we share our top energy saving tips to help save you money.
Firstly make sure you have the right size washer and dryer for your family needs. If you are upgrading to a new machine, consider the star ratings when making your selection. A machine with more stars will consume less energy per wash making a huge difference to your energy bills.
Washing machine tips
Use the right detergent (and less of it!)
Overloading on detergent doesn’t equate to cleaner clothes. In fact, Choice found that you can get a great wash using only a third of the recommended amount of laundry detergent.
Excess detergent can damage your clothes and result in longer wash cycles (which equates to higher electricity costs). Make sure you select the right type of detergent for your washing machine. Front loading washing machines use less water and require a high efficiency low suds formula. The right formula will result in a more efficient wash.
Wash with cold water
Switching from warm to cold water can save more than 80% on energy consumption. Choice Magazine found in their testing that “there’s little difference in wash performance between washing in warm or cold water, especially if you’re washing non-whites”. Many laundry detergents are designed for cold water washing and deliver great results.
Pre-soak stains
Pre-soak heavy stains prior to washing. This will ensure better cleaning, reducing the number and length of your washing cycle.
Skip the pre-wash
If your clothes aren’t heavily soiled, skip this step all together and save on water usage.
Turn off the power
Even on standby mode, your washer is consuming power so make sure you turn off the power after each use.
Use the energy saving modes
Most modern machines feature power saving modes like eco mode or speed perfect. They provide optimum cleaning while using the least amount of energy.
Increase the spin cycle
Extra spin means more moisture is extracted from your clothes, cutting down on valuable drying time.
Run a full load
Maximise your energy efficiency by washing with full loads rather than smaller washes every other day. Your washing machine will use the same amount of energy regardless of the load, so fill your washer up (just don’t overload your machine!).
Dryer energy saving tips
Air dry where possible
Skip the clothes dryer and hang laundry outside or on a drying rack where you can.
If you must use your dryer be sure to clean the lint filter after every load. This will ensure your dryer runs more efficiently and safely. When lint is trapped in the dryer, it causes the motor to work harder causing wear and tear. A clogged vent will also block airflow to the machine and this could cause it to overheat. To clean your lint filter, simply pull out the lint trap screen. Remove any large clumps of lint, thread or debris. Then, rinse under warm, soapy water. Allow to dry completely before replacing it into your dryer.
Remove excess moisture before drying
Remove any excess moisture by spin drying before adding your clothes to the dryer.
Use the lower heat settings
Sure the drying cycle will be longer, but you will use less energy and will be less likely to over dry your clothes. This tip will also help keep your towels nice and soft and avoid them from matting. Toss a tennis ball into the dryer with your load, it will help fluff your clothes (no costly fabric softener required!).
Dry similar items together
Keep lightweight fabrics separate from heavy cottons to minimise total drying time.
Use the cool down cycle
If your dryer has a cool down setting, it will allow your clothes to finish drying with heat that is remaining in your dryer.
Lastly use your washer and dryer during off-peak times when your energy rates are at their lowest. If you have excess solar power, the best time to wash is when the sun is out.
Regular maintenance of your washer and dryer will ensure they keep working at their best. Find washer and dryer spare parts at Statewide Appliance Spares – Australia’s biggest range with the lowest prices guaranteed.
Looking for more energy saving tips? Check out our guide to keeping your house warm this winter.