Magic ten-hour window to put your washing machine on and slash your energy bills

27 January 2024 , 08:00

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There are several ways to cut the cost of washing clothes, including what time of day you do the laundry (Image: Getty Images)

With the kids back at school, it may feel like your washing machine is always on.

But as energy bills continue to soar, something as simple as keeping the little ones' uniform clean can become a financial strain. A staggering 465,000 households in the UK are slated to face fuel poverty due to the hike in energy price caps. This is where households spend more than 10 per cent of their income on heating bills alone.

However, one expert has hailed a magic ten-hour window where you can get your laundry done whilst cutting costs - as well as other tips to keep your energy bills low this winter.

Les Roberts is a content manager at Bionic, and says using your washing machine at certain times of the day could be cheaper. However, this only applies to those on a time-of-use tariff or an off-peak tariff - and not those on a fixed-rate option.

According to the Express, energy prices can be lower when the grid is 'under less pressure' and 'demand is at its lowest'. This tends to be from 10pm to 8am.

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“Costs can sometimes be 50 percent lower during these hours so it can be worth doing your load overnight and taking advantage of these off-peak prices," Roberts added. Money Supermarket reports that those on an off-peak tariff would have to use at least 40 per cent of their electricity at night to save money.

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The deal also only applies to electricity so dual-fuel customers can't benefit from the savings. Robert also advises checking the efficiency of your washing machine and recommends potentially upgrading if you've had the model for more than a decade.

Of course, washing your clothes at a lower temperature is another great way to use less energy and save on energy bills. Many popular brands now offer detergent specifically formulated for colder washes.

Cleaning brand Ariel says washing garments at temperatures as low as 20-30C can even protect colours from running and reduce shrinkage. However, for heavily soiled items - a hotter wash is recommended.

Liam Gilliver