With most families needing to do at least one load of washing per day, there’s probably a lot of space for money-saving in the laundry department. We’ve got a few helpful tips that you might find helpful in lowering your power bill.

The first thing you need to consider is your machine. Thanks to the demand for more energy-efficient appliances, we now have some great options available and a lot of their energy ratings are visible, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The size: This can be a hard one, and depends not only on the size of your family, but also how often you’re able to put a load on. If you’re doing loads all through the week, a smaller machine that uses less power might be a better option. However, if you usually save all your washing for the weekend, then it may pay to go bigger as you save the most energy and money by running your machine fewer times. Just remember to set your water level to low or medium if you’re only doing a small load, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of wastage.
• Auto-sensing options will ensure your machine isn’t using too much water for the load size.
• Top loaders are generally cheaper to buy, have a faster cycle time and have more options for cold/warm washes. However, front loaders tend to use less water and are gentler on clothes.
• Spin performance is important, particularly if you dry your clothes in a drier.
• Energy Star: This is helpful if you’re comparing similar sizes and types of washing machines. If you’re comparing different sizes or types, look instead at the annual energy consumption numbers (kWh per year).

Saving money when you use your machine:

• Save energy by using cold water – make sure you use a detergent that works in cold water like Cold Power, for your clothes to get an outstanding clean in cold.
• Wash a full load – rather than several smaller loads.
• Dissolve powder detergents – before you add them to the washer. This is good for all wash temperatures and can reduce potential residue.
• Adjust the water level – to suit your load size.
• Spin speed – use a faster spin if you’re putting your clothes in the drier, as the drier won’t have to do as much work to dry them.
• Separate your clothes properly so everything that needs a longer wash is in one load and so on.