Seven top washing machine tips to save you some cash

Saving money is the top priority for most Brits as we head into the new year. Laundry can be a costly task for the household, but it is not one that many are able to skip. However, an expert has come forward to share his top advice to save money and be energy efficient when washing clothes, The Express reports.

John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes said: "For many families, the laundry can be costly but there are actually a lot of ways to reduce the cost of your laundry. Small changes like using dryer balls and selecting quick options are actually really effective in the long run and you won’t notice any difference in the quality of your clothes and how they’re cleaned. "One of the biggest things is washing your clothes at off-peak times. Off-peak times are when less people across the UK will be using energy in their homes. Think really early in the morning or late evening after 7pm or 8pm. It’s not always possible to do this but if you can it will definitely save you some cash."

Below are John's top seven tips:

1. Wash full loads
A great way to save money is to making sure you fill up the washing machine with dirty laundry. The machine will use the same amount of energy regardless of how many clothes are inside, so make sure you are utilising that.

John added: "However, newer washing machines do have half-load settings. This tells the machine there are less clothes and therefore less water is used."

2. Don’t overfill the dryer
Filling the washing machine is effective, but filling the tumble dryer too much is not a good idea. John explained: "Putting too many clothes in the dryer means that they will take more time to dry and you’ll need to have it on for longer.

"This will result in an increased use of energy so try not to fill the dryer up to the brim."

However, it is best to avoid the tumble dryer completely if you are looking to save money, as it an appliance that uses a lot of energy in the home.

3. Use an airer or dry clothing outside
The expert said: "An obvious way to save money on laundry is to line dry clothes. If the weather forecast is rain then you can always air dry your clothes inside on a drying rack. Just be sure to space out the clothes so they dry properly."

4. Put your wash on at off-peak times
Using more expensive appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers at off-peak hours can also help to save money. These times tend to be in the morning or late at night- it is cheaper during these hours as they are usually times people are not using appliances.

However, this only applies to people who are on a certain tariff. So it is worth checking with your energy supplier to see if this applies to you.

5. Clean the dryer filter
John said: "It’s easy to neglect the dryer filter, but a regular clean will help your dryer to work more efficiently and safely."

The filter can be found at the front of the drum in the door opening. It can be easily lifted out and wiped down with a damp cloth to clear away lint. Vacuuming the filter can also help.

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6. Use dryer balls or tennis balls
Drying balls help separate clothes in a cycle and will keep the air flowing between them. They can also stop bedding or towels getting tangled together.

The expert explained: "It’s worth buying some dryer balls which help separate clothes in a drying cycle, allowing more air flow between them. This means they’re able to be dried quicker and uses less energy which will cost you less money."

7. Look for a quick wash option
Lots of modern machines have a quick wash options and these are usually suitable for most washes - unless the clothes are very stained. The expert said this will wash clothing in less time and use less energy.

Washing clothes on a cooler setting can also work to save money, as most detergents work effectively at 30C.