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Never use your dryer thanks to washing machine button people ALWAYS ignore

23 June 2024 , 10:45
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The free hack can speed up drying up your clothes in no time
The free hack can speed up drying up your clothes in no time

AN underused button on your washing machine could help you to slash your energy bill.

It's the spin cycle - and it could be a brilliant money-saving trick.

Using one button on a washing machine could save you lots of money qhiqqxidhikuprw
Using one button on a washing machine could save you lots of moneyCredit: Getty

Tumble dryers can be energy and cash guzzling machines costing around 25p per cycle, according to T.M Huges and Son gas services.

While this varies depending on the type of machine you have, it could cost you £90 a year to run.

This is based on the average unit rates according to the energy price cap, which will be set at £1,568 a year from July 1, 2024. 

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So perhaps it's time to focus on vampire appliances around the home which could be sucking up much more cash than you realise.

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch, said: "If your clothes are still very wet when you take them out of the washing machine, you could make use of the spin cycle setting.

"Using the spin cycle will remove excess water, meaning your clothes will dry faster on an airer, or need less time in the tumble dryer.”

Using the spin cycle on your washing machine means you could then have to run your tumble dryer for less time.

And as one of the most energy hungry appliances in the home, the savings could add up.

Of course, how much you save will depend on the model of washer and dryer you have, how often you normally use it and who your energy provider is.

But if you use your tumble dryer on a regular basis, or you have a big family, you could potentially save yourself hundreds of pounds a year.

How else can I save using my tumble dryer?

First of all, it's definitely worth researching which model you're going to buy before splashing the cash.

There are three main types of tumble dryer you can buy - heat-pump dryers, condenser dryers and vented dryers.

But research from Which? suggests a heat-pump dryer might be the best way to go - these cost up to £51 less each year to run compared to some other models.

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That's because they recycle hot air when drying your clothes, so they don't need to work as hard.

It's always an idea to keep the temperature as low as possible when using the dryer as well.

If you reduced the temperature to 30°C then it would only cost as little as £25 a year depending on how often you put a load on.

Lowering it to 20°C will make it roughly £14 a year to run, again if it's only you and you preferably have a heat-pump model.

Save money on laundry in the hot weather

Switching off the heating is likely already saving you some significant cash this summer.

But the hot weather also means you could slash your bills further as you can stop using one the most energy-hungry devices in your home.

Anyone with a tumble dryer will be thankful for the appliance in winter, when it's almost impossible to dry clothes.

But come the sunnier weather - and especially a heatwave - you could save by drying your clothes outside instead.

Of course the exact amount you're spending depends on how often you're your tumble dryer.

If you're using it everyday if you have a larger family then it could be higher, while once a week use would be less.

You won't be able to do this all year round, bit you could certainly save some pounds cutting back on your use in the hot weather.

But the longer the heatwave lasts, the more you stand to save.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Olivia Marshall

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