Mum-of-two’s washing machine button tip to cut energy bills by 62 percent

Washing machines are one of the most expensive appliances to run in the home because they are on regularly and for long periods of time. However, there is a “secret” button many people may

not know about which can help to cut costs on energy bills. Sharing a clip of the money-saving hack on social media, Beth, also known as Budgeting Mum, shared a video where her hand was

hovering over the washing machine’s temperature button, with it reading 40 degrees. However, she then changes her mind and presses the button to lower the temperature to just 20 degrees.

According to the mum-of-two, most washing machines are automatically set to 40 degrees, which is a more expensive energy price, and many forget to change the setting. According to Which?,

turning the temperature down on a cotton programme from 40 degrees to 20 degrees can reduce running costs by an average of 62 percent. The company explained: “This is because washing

machines need to use less energy to heat water and lower temperatures.” This doesn’t tend to affect the washing quality either as most modern day detergents can combat dirt and grime at low

temperatures. According to the sustainable cleaning experts at Ecover, 20 degrees is plenty when it comes to washing the majority of garments. The experts explained: “When it comes to energy

bills, a big drain on funds can be your washing cycle. “Particularly during term time, it can seem like the washing machine is running day and night, which can seriously rack up the costs.

“Opting for a cold wash can be a surefire way to significantly decrease these costs. Switching from a 40C to a 20C cycle can bring a whopping saving of 62 percent.” What’s more, a cold wash

is also better for the environment, helping to avoid the shrinking of clothes too. The temperature button will be in different locations on all washing machines but it should be super easy

to find. Make sure to stick to hot washes when washing bedding and towels to ensure all bacteria are killed in the process.