The washing machine is one of the most expensive appliances in the home to run, due to long wash cycles and hot temperatures.
Paula Quazi, sustainable cleaning expert and Smol co-founder, told Express.co.uk: “With bills rising, it’s more important than ever that we’re all washing well, doing your laundry in a more energy-efficient way is not only better for the planet, but also could potentially ensure big savings on your energy bills.
“Good laundry detergents today are effective at low temperatures so there is no need to wash at high temperatures unless it’s something like underwear or towels.
“Bio laundry detergent, for example, contains enzymes that break down common stains.
“Because higher temperatures would denature the enzymes, it’s recommended you wash at 30 degrees.”
Washing at 30C uses 38 percent less energy than washing at 40C, according to Which?, but it is always recommended to check the garment’s care label.
This means you can make a substantial saving on energy bills as well as helping the planet. What’s more, lower temperatures are also good at helping to preserve dyed fabrics.
When it comes to towels, they can be washed on a 40C cycle to kill germs, so Britons can stay away from 60C altogether.
The expert continued: “Another top tip is to dig out the guide to your washing machine and work out the best cycle for your machine.
“You want the shortest, coolest, lowest water cycle possible, this isn’t always the one called ‘eco’ so it’s always worth doing a bit of research.
“Your tumble dryer is the domestic appliance that uses the most energy in the home. While it may not be quite as easy during the long and cold winter months, as we move into spring and it starts to warm up, it pays to dry your laundry outside.
“Air drying not only has a big impact on your energy bills but also on the environment.”
When it comes to how many washes to do each week, this will depend on a variety of factors. However, it is likely most clothes don’t need to be washed after every wear.
Paula recommended shaking out clothing and hanging them up to air dry once they have been worn.
She added: “If each UK household cut back by just one wash a month, together we’d save the same amount of energy as heating 43,000 homes for a year.
“You can also do a sniff test, re-freshen your clothes with steam or an iron to give them a new lease of life.”