UK households warned over 1 common laundry habit

Brits have been warned about the common laundrymistakes they're making that could be costing them. UK households could be losing more than £200 a year through routine mistakes, according to bathroom and kitchen specialists.

While many households focus on heating and lighting to cut costs, the laundry room is often overlooked. Modern washing machines are highly efficient, but only when used correctly. Incorrect settings, washingmore often than necessary, or overdosing on detergent and softener can increase running costs without improving results. A few changes can reduce energy use, protect fabrics and extend the life of your washing machine. According to Plumbworld, the largest error people make is running small or unnecessary loads. Even when the drum is half full, the appliance uses nearly the same amount of electricity and water as it would for a full load. Over time, this can add up to more than £100 a year in wasted energy. Wait until you have enough for a full wash, or use the eco or half-load setting if your machine offers one. Planning laundry days more carefully and combining family washes can also reduce waste and save valuable time.

A small, unbalanced load can also cause the washing machine to struggle to spin correctly, potentially leading to clothes remaining too wet or the machine making excess noise and movement.

It can also harm your machine. While washing small loads isn't an immediate danger, frequent imbalanced loads can put extra stress on bearings and other machine parts over time.

This doesn't mean you should pack your machine full. This can lead to clothes not getting clean, machine damage, and potential long-term repair costs due to stress on the motor, bearings, and other components.

It also results in clothes being soaked wet and potentially damaged by excessive friction, and can cause longer cycle times as the machine tries to compensate for the imbalance.

Experts also warned against washing clothes too often. Clothes like jeans, jumpers, and coats don't need to be washed after every wear. Over-washing not only wastes detergent, water, and electricity, but also causes clothes to fade and wear out faster.

The experts suggest airing items between wears or using a fabric refresher spray instead. Cutting just two unnecessary loads each week could save around £80 a year on energy alone.

The first error pointed out by Plumbworld is using too much detergent. Many people believe that overusing detergent will result in a better clean.

In reality, excess powder or liquid creates surplus suds that are harder to rinse, forcing longer cycles and using more water and energy.

Residue left in the fibres can make fabrics feel stiff and irritate skin, and it also builds up in the drawer, seal and hoses. Use the dose shown on the packaging and adjust modestly for load size, soil level and local water hardness.

A measuring cap, scoop or pre-dosed pods helps keep quantities consistent. Using the right amount protects clothes, reduces running costs and keeps the machine working efficiently.