Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make

Scottish Sun

26-04-2025

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SAVE UP Improper use of your washing machine might be costing you £500 a year as experts reveals 5 mistakes most Brits make
A COMMON laundry mistake could be costing you money every time you turn on your machine.
Experts have revealed the appliance errors which are racking up your household bills.
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A money-saving expert shared his top tips for cutting down on your household bills (stock image)
Credit: Getty
Speaking to the Daily Express, one budgeting expert warned Brits to avoid "simple mistakes" that can add to their household bills.
And as energy and water bills continued to increase, these tips can help you make significant savings.
Matthew Sheeran from Money Wellness revealed millions of UK households could be "throwing away" up to £500 a year by using their appliances incorrectly.
'People are understandably focused on rising energy and water prices, but what many don't realise is that the way they use their appliances can be just as important," the pro said.
"The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix - and the savings can really add up.
"Small changes could put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket every year.'
The expert shared that making small changes to your laundry process alone can save you a lot.
Selecting too high of a temperature setting can drain your energy supply.
The pro explained that washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius is just as effective as doing a 40 degree Celsius or 60degree cycle.
A typical wash at 60 degree Celsius wash uses around 1.5 to 2 kWh of electricity, while a 30 degree Celsius wash uses only 0.5 to 0.7 kWh, the expert revealed.
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Washing clothes at higher temperatures four times a week, could be costing you £50 extra every year.
Overloading your washing machine is another common error when trying to save.
While you may think heaping as much items into one load will help you cut down on costs, the opposite is true.
If your machine's drum cannot rotate properly, your clothes do not get cleaned effectively.
This puts extra strain on the appliance, which could potentially lead to more frequent repairs or a shorter lifespan.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
An overloaded washing machine can increase energy consumption by up to 15%, resulting in you spending £30 extra annually.
And households should also rethink how often they use their tumble dryers.
A dryer can consume around 2.5 to 4.5 kWh per cycle, so using it frequently can "quickly add up" the expert said.
Frequent use of a tumble dryer could add £150 or more to your annual household bills.
He recommended air-drying clothes indoors or outdoors to save on energy costs.
You can also be adding to your energy costs if you run your machine with the wrong detergent.
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Overloading your washing machine can cost you more money in the long-run (stock image)
Credit: Getty
This can lead to residue buildup in your washing machine, which makes the appliance less efficient.
You may end up having to run an extra cycle to clear it out, wasting up to £15 a year on extra detergent and energy.
The expert advised using the correct amount of detergent and opting for an eco-friendly version.
These are less likely to leave residue and are gentler on fabrics as well as performing well at lower temperatures, helping your machine run more smoothly.
Finally, running your appliances during peak hours can increase your energy bills by 10 to 20%.
Instead, use time-of-use tariffs to run your appliances, including your washing machine, during off-peak hours.
This will save you money on your energy bills.