Cut your laundry costs this autumn

Tuesday, 5 September 2023 at 00:00

As we head towards autumn, Which? magazine have given some great ways to save money on your laundry.

Here are our top tips, taken from their article:

Reduce your washing temperature

Wash at a temperature of 20°C or 30°C to save money. Which? Say that if you wash at 30°C, it could save you £25 a year, or at 20°C the saving is £40 a year.

Tips

  • Switch to a liquid laundry detergent to help shift stains. Which? found that tough stains lift more easily with liquid at lower temperatures.

  • Pre-treat tough stains with diluted detergent or stain remover before the wash.

 

Fill your machine

Rather than putting several smaller washes on quick programs, try less washes on longer programs, but fill the drum.

Which? found that by doing bigger washes four times a week it used 17% less energy than three smaller washes on quick programs.

By doing this you’re also using less washing detergent, so it’s a saving on both.

 

Maintain your tumble dryer

Which? tested a range of heat pump dryers with over 20 loads of washing.

They were shocked to find out that some machines used 50% more energy on the last load compared to the first load. This is because of the filter being blocked.

Tips:

  • Wait until your machine is cooled.

  • Find your lower filter at the bottom of the dryer. Once unlocked, remove larger fluff and hair from the heat exchanger.

  • Rinse the filter if it’s removeable. Dry thoroughly before putting back.

Share

More from Consumer Tips

  • Storm-proof your home – and your insurance

    With autumn storms on the way, now is the time to get your home – and your paperwork – ready. When Storm Ciarán hit in 2023, our office helped many Islanders with insurance claims and appeals, and the same lessons came up again and again. A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress, and money, later.

  • Spreading the cost of Christmas: why now is the time to start

    With the warm October weather we’ve been experiencing, Christmas is likely to be the last thing on your mind. But there are now around 11 weeks to go – and if you'd like to avoid one big bill in December, now is the time to start planning. Spreading the cost over several pay packets can make the festive season far more manageable. Whether you buy a little at a time or simply set money aside, starting early gives you more control, more time to find genuine bargains, and will make January less of a struggle.

  • Autumn money check-up: Ten things to review before winter

    As the evenings become cooler and Christmas items begin to appear in the shops, autumn is a good time to take a fresh look at your household spending. Winter can bring additional costs, from higher energy use and fuel to seasonal shopping and household expenses. So, taking a little time now to check what you’re currently paying for could help you avoid unnecessary costs and unpleasant surprises later in the year.

Opinion Poll

The Jersey Consumer Council frequently asks Islanders to take part in polls on a range of topics.

Just tap on one of the options below to cast your vote and see what others think.

ⓘ What does the JCC do with this information?

Connect with the JCC