The price of everything is rising, and it feels like energy bills climb higher every month. More families are searching for washing machines that keep both the environment and their wallets in check. Picking the right washer can help you spend less over time, shrink your carbon footprint, and keep your clothes fresh all year.
Knowing what the energy ratings mean, which features actually save money, and how proper care stretches a machine’s life are all essential. This guide covers what the labels on UK appliances mean, low-tech washing options, and smart habits that help your washer last -and your electrical bill shrink.
Use with Allavare Laundry Powder (use code ENGLAND99465 for 10% discount). This is biodegradable and fragrance-free, sold in a brown paper bag.
If washing clothes near a river, stream or lake, tip dirty water at least 30 metres (100 feet) from the water source, to prevent pollution.
If washing synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester, recycled plastic bottles), use a microfiber sink filter, to catch (and bin securely) microplastics, so they are not washed down sinks, and into the sea. Read more on microfiber filters.
Energy Efficiency in Washing Machines
Washing machines now use less power and water than ever before, but some are much better than others. The trick is knowing which ones actually save you money and which just look good with a sticker. Tracking the energy your machine uses and how much water it takes is the simplest way to spot a money-saving winner, especially with UK energy labels guiding the way.
Decoding Energy Rating Labels
Every washing machine in the UK must display an energy rating label. These bright stickers don’t just help you compare running costs – they’re a snapshot of overall efficiency.
What Does the UK Energy Label Tell You?
- Energy rating (A-G): A is best, uses the least energy. G is the least efficient.
- Annual energy use (kWh/year): The lower the number, the cheaper it is to run.
- Water use per cycle (litres): Less water means less cost.
- Load capacity (kg): Pick the right size for your needs to avoid waste.
- Spin speed (rpm): Faster spin speeds leave less water, cutting drying time and saving energy.
Top Features to Look for in Energy Efficient Models
Not all new machines are equal. Look for these:
- Load sensing: The washer weighs the load and adjusts water and time.
- Eco cycles: Clean at lower temperatures, saving electricity.
- Inverter motors: These use less energy, run quietly, and last longer.
- Quick wash and half-load settings: For lightly soiled clothes or smaller loads.
- Delay timer: Run washes overnight or during off-peak electricity rates.
A-rated machines slash bills, in the long run.
Scrubba: A Portable Modern Wash Board
Scrubba is a little invention that fits right into the ethos of this site: an ideal purchase (around £45) for people who either love camping or simply live alone on a budget, and don’t want the hassle of buying an expensive washing machine.
Based on an old-fashioned washboard (what your granny used, before washing machines were invented!), this is a bag filled with an inner washboard. In a nutshell, you pop a few clothes inside, then agitate it for a few minutes, to give a machine-quality wash in a couple of minutes, with no need for a machine.
It works just like an old-fashioned washboard (where people would rub clothes against a board to agitate and clean). This is a lightweight and self-contained bag. Just add water, clothes and laundry powder or liquid, close the bag and deflate it. Then rub the clothes against the inner washboard for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, rinse and hang to dry.
Scrubba can clean around 2 days worth of clothes in one go. Used by over half a million people worldwide, the company also makes Allurette, a rounder flatter version for delicates (so you don’t destroy your lingerie!)
To dry your clothes after washing, just wring them out and lay on a towel, then roll up the towel and twist firm, then hang both the clothing and towel to dry.
Affordable Washing Machine Options
Energy savings mean nothing if you can’t afford the machine in the first place. Some homes are looking beyond traditional electric machines for simple, low-cost ways to get clothes clean. Whether you want modern features or absolute simplicity, there’s more than one path to cleaner laundry on a budget.
Electric machines offer much more convenience. But you can still find affordable models without paying for flashy extras.
How to choose well:
- Select a size that matches your usual laundry amount. Bigger isn’t always better.
- Stick to trusted brands with strong customer reviews. Reliability pays for itself.
- Focus on machines rated A or B for energy, even if they cost a bit more.
- 1,200-1,400 rpm spin speeds dry clothes faster, so less tumble drying.
Popular budget-friendly brands in the UK:
Hotpoint, Beko, Indesit, and Candy all offer low-priced, energy-saving electric washers that last for years if cared for.
Reuse Network is a nationwide organisation that takes unwanted washing machines, then ensures they are safe, and sells them on at low cost to people on low incomes.
It also has a free downloadable Fit for Reuse area of the website, where technicians can learn how to repair washing machines and other appliances, with guidance from trained experts and participating brands.
Hand-Washing Tips for Energy Savings
Going back to basics isn’t for everyone, but hand-washing can work for small loads or delicate items.
How to do it well:
- Use cold or lukewarm water – hot water rarely improves results and wastes energy. Hot water should however be used for babies, pet bedding and weak immunity systems (unscented powder).
- Don’t over-detergent; more soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes.
- Soak tough stains first and agitate gently to avoid wear and tear.
- Wring out clothes well to speed up air drying and save effort.
Best for:
Single items, baby clothes, fast stain removal, or when machines aren’t available. Regular hand-washing does take time and effort, so balance it with your needs.
Maintenance of Your Washing Machine
A good washing machine, electric or manual, should last for years. Keep it working its best with simple monthly habits, minor repairs, and thoughtful disposal.
Easy Maintenance and Cleaning for Long-Term Performance
Even the fanciest washer gets clogged and sluggish with neglect. Set a reminder to:
- Clean the detergent drawer and rubber seals monthly to prevent mould.
- Wipe around the door after each wash to keep smells away.
- Run an empty hot cycle with baking soda and cleaning vinegar every few months to clean the drum.
- Check and clear the filter for lint and debris. Never leave lint in gardens, it can go mouldy and choke birds and wildlife.
Repairing for Sustainability
Small breakdowns are common, but a little troubleshooting saves money and waste.
Try these before calling a professional:
- Check pipes for blockages.
- Replace worn door seals and hoses (buy spares online).
- Reset the machine for common electrical glitches.
When to get expert help:
Leaks from the back, burning smells, or complete breakdowns mean it’s time to call a pro. Repairing is almost always cheaper than replacing in the short term.
Recycling Old Washing Machines Responsibly
Don’t let a broken washer end up in landfill. Old machines contain metal and parts that can be recycled.
Options include:
- Local council recycling services (most will collect large appliances).
- Donating to charities or reuse networks if the machine still works. Only donate to charities that don’t test on animals.
- Manufacturer take-back schemes when you buy a new machine.
Support the circular economy and make sure your old washer gets a new life.
Use Your Local Launderette
Most towns still have the odd launderette, which obviously saves you having to buy a washing machine. Kitty’s Launderette (Liverpool) was named after an Irish immigrant who pioneered the washhouse movement, back in the day when most people had no laundry facilities.
This affordable community launderette offers a community space for tea and chat, plus an eco-dry-cleaning service. It also offers free washing services for those who need it, and a repairs/alterations service for clothing.
Run as a non-profit co-operative by local residents, it also offers services for hotels and restaurants, and will even wash gowns and kits for hair salons and local football teams (the city has two quite good ones!)
An Essex Model’s Iconic Launderette Ad
The Iconic Launderette TV ad for Levi Jeans is now over 30 years old (the jeans brand still uses leather patches and chemical blue dyes and has a low rating at Good on You). Instead switch to better brands of sustainable blue jeans.
Still, the ad was good. If you’re too young to remember it, it featured easy-on-the-eye Nick Kamen, who visited a laundromat in the 50s, and sits in his boxer shorts, after removing his jeans, to launder. All set to the theme of Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’.
The success of the ad led to a pop singing career. He was so handsome, that one magazine editor recalled him walking in wearing plain clothes and sunglasses. His girlfriend simply said ‘You have got to be kidding’.
By all accounts a humble kind man who studied painting and Buddhism, he died at just 59, after living with incurable bone marrow cancer for 3 years.
An Off-Grid Manual Washing Machine
The Washing Machine Project is a simple, affordable and positive solution to many problems in developing countries, it’s a shame it’s not featured in the media, more than the ‘begging bowl’ ads. This is far more empowering to local people.
And it’s a shame our media does not promote wonderful engineering students at this Bristol social enterprise, which has already positively impacted almost 50,000 families worldwide. The founder spent time in Africa helping to design better stoves, and after watching a friend spend hours each day washing clothes, and returned to England, determined to do something to help.
Divya is the world’s first flat-packable washing machine. It’s manually-operated so needs no energy, saves up to 50% of water (very important in drought-prone countries) and also saves 75% of the time needed to wash clothes by hand.
This saves back ache and physical problems, plus lets women work or children spend more time in school.
One machine can meet the needs of one large family, and the simple design means it needs little work to be repaired locally. It is also easily recycled, at end of life.
With just a few minutes of manual turning, the machine washes clothes for 30 minutes, and has a built-in scrubber in the lid, to tackle stains on collars and cuffs. It also has a wide lid opening, to wash blankets, towels and duvets.
Some locals are even using the machine to run their own mobile laundry business, using the durable wheels that easily go over rough terrain.
Reviews from Users
- In India, one woman would spend hours washing clothes each day, carrying heavy water-logged clothing back and forth to the local pond.
- In Uganda, a single mother of three had to wash clothes (in between working) at a nearby underground stream, close to the sewage system.
- In Mexico, women who had back, hip, knee, should, hand and waist pain from washing clothes now make use o the washing machine, which has made them all feel a lot better!
Start a fundraiser, to bring more off-grid washing machines to communities worldwide!
Conclusion
Choosing an affordable and energy efficient washing machine is not just about picking the cheapest model on the sales floor. The smartest choice takes into account maintenance, durability, and true running costs. Whether you use a manual washer for camping, hunt down a top-rated electric model, or wash by hand on occasion, every decision shapes your monthly bills and your environmental footprint.
Stay proactive by checking energy labels, caring for your machine, and sending old models for recycling or donation. The next time you load the washer, you’ll know you made the right choice for your budget and the planet.
