Energy-Efficient Washing Machines (save on bills)
Some people wash clothes by hand, others have washing machines but often new ones are unaffordable. And if you do buy new, it pays to go for an A-rated version, for energy efficiency which also leads to lower bills.
Use with biodegradable laundry powders (unscented for pregnancy/nursing and baby/pet bedding). Launder synthetic fibres in microfiber filters.
All UK washing machines must display energy labels by law, and new ones tend to be cheaper to run and use less water per cycle. Although some recommend washing at lower temperatures, choose higher temperatures for baby/pet bedding and weak immunity.
You can also find Quiet Mark labels, plus versions with quick wash and half-load settings, some also even have delay timers, to run washes at off-peak electricity rates.
But it all starts getting very complicated, doesn’t it? Why don’t companies just create energy-efficient simple machines, that everyone can understand?
Help your washing machine to last longer:
- Clean the detergent drawer and rubber seals monthly.
- Wipe around the door of each wash.
- Run an empty hot cycle with cleaning vinegar every few months.
- Clear the filter of lint (never leave lint in gardens, it can choke and harm baby birds and wildlife).
Most councils will collect large appliances. It’s UK law that whoever sells electrical goods, must take the old ones back for recycling.
Affordable Washing Machine Options
If you can’t afford to buy a new washing machine, Reuse Network sells them to people on low incomes (safety checked, from people donating them). It has a free Fit for Reuse area of the website, where technicians can receive guidance on how to all types of white goods.
Scrubba is the modern equivalent to a portable washboard. It costs around £45 and gives the results of a washing machine with no electricity. You just add water, clothes and biodegradable laundry powder/liquid, close the bag and rub against the inner washboard for up to 3 minutes. Then rinse.
If using while camping, tip used water at least least 30 metres (100 feet) from the water source, to prevent pollution.
Kitty’s Launderette (Liverpool) is one of a many community-owned spaces, this one named after an Irish immigrant who pioneered the washhouse movement. It also offers an eco-dry-cleaning service and repairs/alterations service. Run as a non-profit, it even washes kits for local football teams (the city has two quite good ones!)
An Off-Grid Manual Washing Machine
The Washing Machine Project is an affordable and empowering solution for global south countries, used by over 50,000 families. It was created by a woman in England, who watched a friend abroad spend hours each day, washing clothes.
This manual flat-packed machine saves up to 50% of water (good for drought-prone countries, and also saves 75% of the time, which also helps to prevent backache. It can also be locally repaired and is easily recycled. With just a few minutes of turning, it can launder clothes in 30 minutes, and has a built-in scrubber on the lid to tackle collar and cuff stains.
