Do you also feel like your electric meter is running a marathon lately, while you're just trying to wash three T-shirts and a pair of socks? It's true - with the arrival of the colder months, energy consumption increases as households heat their rooms, use dryers and cook more intensively. All this leaves traces on bills that sometimes resemble the cost of a weekend getaway more than your monthly electricity consumption.
But there's a simple trick that many people overlook. Choosing the right temperature when washing your laundry can save you significant money - without compromising on cleanliness. Forget about high temperatures as a condition for pure laundry; with advances in detergents and washing machines, laundry can be cleaned effectively even at lower settings. Your electricity bill will be noticeably lighter, while you will still be impeccably dressed.
How does laundry wash money (if it is not washed properly)?
Doing laundry is one of those routine tasks that most people do almost automatically – they select a program, throw the laundry in the drum, add detergent and press “start”. But this is where there is room for optimization. Washing temperature It has a key impact on electricity consumption. Heating water is one of the biggest energy consumers in washing – the higher the temperature, the more energy we use.
Wash at 30°C instead of the classic 40 °C, reduces the energy footprint of an individual wash by about a third. This difference is quickly noticeable with regular washing – not only on the bill, but also in the total annual consumption. Modern washing machines and detergents are designed to effectively remove most common stains and bacteria even at 30 °C, especially in everyday laundry.
In addition to temperature, the key to energy efficiency is also that how to fill the drum. Washing with a half-full machine means double the work for the appliance – the same energy consumption for less laundry. The ideal drum fullness is one where you can fit your hand between the laundry and the top edge of the drum – thus ensuring optimal use of water, energy and movement.
Five rules for smart laundry (that your wallet will also feel)
-
- Wash at 30°C
This temperature is sufficient for most daily laundry. A lower temperature means less water heating – and therefore lower costs. - Fill the machine, but not to the top.
An optimally loaded machine means fewer washes and better use of resources. An overloaded drum reduces efficiency and wears out the machine. - Choose energy-saving programs
Ecological programs take longer, but they use significantly less energy, as they gently wash laundry at lower temperatures. - Air dry your laundry.
Dryers are among the biggest electricity guzzlers. If the weather permits, use classic line drying - nostalgic and energy-neutral. - Wash during the lower tariff period
If you have a two-tariff system, plan your laundry for the night or morning hours when electricity is cheaper. Laundry doesn't know the clock - only cleanliness counts.
- Wash at 30°C
Fewer degrees, fewer worries
In addition to saving money, washing at lower temperatures also has a positive impact on the environment. Less energy consumption means less carbon dioxide emissions and a lower overall load on the electricity grid. It's that small change in habit that makes a big difference in the long run - for you, your budget and our planet.
So if you're looking for an easy step towards a more sustainable and economical life, start with your washing machine. Lower the temperature, increase efficiency – and enjoy soft, fragrant laundry without a guilty conscience and without any extra costs.
