One of the five appliances that consumes the most water and energy is the washing machine, resulting in a monthly headache on every bill. Since nowadays it is important to optimize the expenses generated by household chores, it is advisable to know some tricks to save on the bill and not go overboard with the payment of bills.
The amount of bills makes people try almost anything to alleviate expenses. But the best way to do it is to put into practice some tips that will allow you to save two of the most necessary resources when cleaning the house and at the same time, reduce the monthly expenses.
Use these tips to save energy and water with your washing machine
Achieve the impossible, optimize water and energy while using the washing machine and lower your household bills at the same time. There are very effective tricks that will leave you amazed at the way they work as a relief in the economic sphere of the family.
This advice is applied taking into account what is stated by the Organization of Consumers and Users, when explaining that a washing machine with a capacity of 7 kilos, means the consumption of 42 to 62 liters of water in each wash. While the consumption of electrical energy is fixed between 8 % to 11 % in almost to include dryer. In that sense, you can put the following into practice:
1. Do not wash clothes too much
People are in the habit of washing clothes after wearing them only once, no matter if there is no visible dirt or bad odor. You should know that this implies more energy and water expenses, therefore, more money. Also consider that many washings cause more wear and tear on garments, especially on pants.
If your washing machine has short programs or quick washes, you can activate it on clothes that are not heavily soiled. When applying this trick, do not forget to take advantage of the appliance’s capacity to wash as many clothes as possible, but do not exceed its limit.
2. Wash full loads
If you are one of those who think that by exceeding the capacity of the washing machine and adding detergent, you can save time and money, you are completely wrong. Don’t be distressed, this mistake is more common than you think. Starting with the belief that the more detergent you use, the cleaner the clothes will be, but this is not the case; excess detergent has the opposite effect.
Learn how to organize your laundry and wash only the amount equivalent to the maximum weight of this appliance. For example, separate the clothes by category and color, then choose the appropriate wash cycle, according to the degree of soiling of the garments. It is advisable to wash heavily soiled or stained clothes in a long wash cycle, at high temperature and with powder detergent.
3. Read the labels
To know exactly how to wash a garment and save on the fact, you should read the manufacturer’s label, as it tells you the degrees and the recommended temperature for washing. Delicate garments should normally be hand washed in cold water to prevent shrinkage or loss of color.
4. Choose the right type of detergent
The type of detergent to use is a very important factor. Using the right soap will not only keep your clothes clean, but well cared for, it will keep their colors, fiber and structure as good as new. A trick to save water and energy in each wash is to use a concentrated and biodegradable product. The capsules are ideal, because they come dosed, avoiding waste of detergent and do not generate residues.
5. Make the most of the sun
In washing machines that include the drying cycle there is more energy consumption. However, you can skip this step and take advantage of the sun’s rays to dry your clothes. if you live in an apartment, don’t worry, you can also do it indoors, but in a place with enough ventilation to prevent humidity from doing its thing.
6. Apply a schedule for washing
Another thing you can take advantage of is the time slots, especially the so-called off-peak hours, where the electricity tariff is cheaper. Applies between 00:00 and 08:00 on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays. This is a good way to save energy while using the washing machine.
Save water in your washing machine
One of the best ways to save water is to wash clothes by hand, in addition to reducing electricity consumption. Delicate garments should be washed by hand to avoid damaging them. The use of water outside the washing machine is less, since the washing cycles are not repeated in the same way that the appliance does.
Energy is also appreciated, since the use of the washing machine is not required for this type of garments that require special treatment when they are dirty.