Laundry

Saving energy in the laundry

• Use cold water in the laundry whenever possible.
• Front-loading automatic washing machines use less energy and water than top-loading machines.
• Automatic washing machines use the same amount of electricity for a full load as they do for a single item. Wait until you have enough for a full load before using and adjust the clothes washing cycle to match the load size.
• Never overload your automatic washing machine as this reduces the cleaning action.
• Take advantage of special features on your machine which can help save you money. Soak cycles remove stubborn stains on a one-wash cycle and a suds-saver allows you to recycle soapy water if required.

• If it's a sunny day, don't use the dryer and hang your washing outside on the clothesline.
• Never put dripping wet clothes into your dryer. Spin dry them first.
• Clean the lint filter on the dryer regularly to maintain full air flow, maximise the drying efficiency and minimise fire risk.

• Iron large batches of clothing at one time to avoid wasting energy reheating the iron.
• The steaming process of steam irons uses more energy, so use a dry iron wherever possible.
• Sort ironing by fabric type and iron lighter fabrics on lower settings first. Turn off iron and use residual heat for delicate items.