Selecting the right setting when using your washing machine can have a big impact on your laundry, your energy usage and your wallet. Washing on the correct temperature can make a huge difference to the colour, smell, and size of your clothes. In addition to the wash temperature affecting your laundry, an energy-saving setting can save money off your bill too. We’ll show you how to choose the right cycle and give you some top laundry energy saving tips.
Choosing the right wash temperature
If you want to know how to save electricity, reconsider how you use your washing machine. Washing at high temperatures isn’t always necessary. Even though we commonly reach for the 40⁰C button, 30⁰C will often do. Here are some of the benefits of washing at this lower temperature:
Good at getting rid of odours and mild stains.
Can help preserve colour better.
Reduces the risk of shrinkage.
Good for delicates.
Can save money and time versus washing at higher temperatures.
What temperature to wash white clothes
As white clothes show signs of grime more obviously than coloured clothes, the long-held approach to washing them was to do it hot. However, this isn’t always necessary.
Some would consider 30⁰C to be a machine wash cold temperature that wouldn’t work on stains, but more often than not it will. Always be guided by the care label and pack instructions, and give a cooler setting a try.
How does a cold wash temperature save you money?
Washing at 30⁰C for the majority of the time is a great energy-saving tip, but why? It’s simple, really – there’s less energy being used to heat up the water compared to other settings.
However, whilst washing at 30⁰C can certainly do a great job at saving money, the temperature setting will only be as good as the detergent you choose. Use Surf Lavender & Spring Jasmine Liquid Detergent, with a perfect combination of two iconic scents. Lavender’s floral scent and jasmine’s woody perfume are both stimulating and soothing, and they unite to get your clothes clean and smelling amazing even on a cold wash – you’ll love the results.
What temperature kills bacteria in washing machine?
Putting your washing machine on at 30⁰C can kill certain bacteria, especially if you use a quality cleaning product like Surf detergent. While washing at 30⁰C can do a good job, the NHS recommends washing at 60⁰C to help stop the spread of germs.[1]
How to save energy at home
In addition to laundry energy saving tips like washing on a cold wash cycle, we’ve got some extra ideas you can use around the home:
Use your washing machine less: wait until you have a full load.
Air dry: when the sun’s out there’s no need to tumble.
Check for leaks: it could be a simple drip.
Turn off lights when you’re not in a room.
Switch off sockets when not in use.
Changing the temperature and cycle length on your machine to colder and shorter cycles will decrease the amount of energy you use when doing your laundry. By using concentrated detergents like Surf’s range, which are really effective at removing stains even at lower temperatures like 30⁰C, you’ll be able to make these changes without compromising on the cleanliness of your washing. Want to know how to save energy at home outside the laundry room too? Turn off lights if you’re not in the room and switch off sockets when not in use.
The above tips will help you reduce your water and energy bills over the course of a year. They might not seem like much, but when put together they soon add up. Wash your laundry on 30⁰C using Surf laundry products and not only will you save some cash and save on your electricity usage, you’ll get amazing smelling, super-clean laundry too!