Washing machine hack will slash your energy bills by 62% - and it's simple to do

A woman has shared an incredible washing tip that most people were unaware of - and it's as simple as choosing a different washing cycle than you normally do.

Woman is taking out clothes from the washing machine

This secret button hack on your washing machine could save you lots of money (Image: Getty)

This button on your washing machine could cut your energy bills by 62 percent, but most people never use it. Washing machines and tumble dryers are among the priciest appliances to run, but a simple push of this 'secret' button can help you save money.

Doing laundry is likely part of your weekly routine. It's not the most exciting task and it contributes significantly to our monthly energy bills. But did you know that with just one press of a 'secret' button, you could reduce energy usage by up to 62%?

A woman has revealed an amazing laundry tip that many people didn't know about - and it's as easy as choosing a different wash cycle than usual.

Most folks automatically select the 40-degree wash cycle, which is excellent for removing dirt and stains, but it costs much more than using a cooler one.

Beth, also known as Budgeting mum on TikTok, shared a video where she hovers her hand over her washing machine's temperature button, set at 40 degrees. However, she then decides to press the button to lower the temperature to 20 degrees.

READ MORE: Times of the day to ‘avoid’ using your washing machine - will ‘cost the most’

The Midlands-based mum-of-two pointed out that most washing machines are automatically set to 40 degrees, which is a pricier energy cost. Many people forget to adjust this setting.

According to Which?, all UK washing machines since 2013 have an option on the control panel to conserve energy. Their tests showed that lowering the temperature from 40 degrees to 20 degrees on the cottons program cut energy costs by an average of 62 per cent.

They explained: "This is because washing machines need to use less energy to heat water to lower temperatures."

They also discovered that the "cleaning power" was slightly worse at this setting, but this can be balanced by using a liquid detergent. They concluded: "It should be enough for everyday cleaning."

Beth also suggested using stain removers if you're washing at lower temperatures.

If you regularly wash at lower temperatures, it's crucial to run monthly maintenance washes to keep the machine clean.

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