Do you feel like your laundry costs are constantly increasing? Electricity, water, powder. All together can really put a strain on the budget. Fortunately, there are tricks to save a lot of money without having to limit the number of washing machines or the quality of washing. One of them is using the right button on your washing machine.
Modern washing machines have programs that save energy and water. Modes such as “ECO” or “quick program” can reduce consumption without reducing the quality of washing. The ECO program washes at a lower temperature and a longer cycle, thanks to which the detergent dissolves better and the clothes are cleaned more gently. You can wash ordinary clothes at 30 °C just as well as at 60 °C, but you save up to half the energy. If you set the temperature to 20°C, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 70% compared to washing at 40°C.
Watch Under the Median’s YT video – Save money on laundry with these 4 easy changes
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Washing at 20 degrees is easy if your washing machine offers this option. Just find a program such as “hand wash” or “delicates” on the rotary dial or display and set the temperature to 20 °C using the number button.
If your washing machine does not have this option, choose the “ECO” mode, which often washes at low temperatures. It is important to use a detergent suitable for low temperatures, which contains enzymes effective even at 20 degrees. For older washing machines that can only be set to 30°C, it is still a saving if you choose a gentle detergent designed for cold washing.
Neither empty nor full
Another way to save money is to fill the washing machine drum correctly. We often wash half-empty batches. It is not only uneconomic, but also unecological. But an overcrowded washing machine is also not ideal, because it is more difficult to wash clothes and the result can be unnecessary repetition of washing. It is ideal to fill the drum in such a way that there is a free space reserve at the top of the hand’s width.
Do you pre-soak?
Water plays a key role in washing, and its consumption varies according to the selected program. If you choose a longer but more economical program, you will not only reduce water consumption, but also the amount of energy needed to heat it. In addition, if you use pre-soak cycles, it is good to think about whether they are really necessary. For most normally soiled laundry, simply add detergent directly to the main wash.
Washing powder or gel
Choosing the right detergent will also affect your costs. High-quality concentrates make it possible to dose smaller quantities without reducing washing efficiency. In addition, the correct dosage can affect a lot.
Too much powder or gel unnecessarily burdens the washing machine and consumes more water for rinsing. If you have soft water, you can reduce the dosage to half the recommended value. You can recognize hard water by the fact that the soap dissolves harder and white spots remain on the glass or dishes.
Maintenance and night washing
Washing machine maintenance also affects consumption. Clogged filters, scale deposits or a clogged powder dispenser reduce the washing efficiency and lengthen the washing cycle. Regular cleaning of the washing machine will not only extend its life, but also reduce water and energy consumption.
Finally, consider doing laundry at night, when electricity tends to be cheaper. If you have a two-tariff electricity meter, the night current will significantly save your costs. The delay start setting allows you to turn on the washing machine even when you are not at home or asleep.
Source: restauracezasedmero.cz
