British Gas, OVO, Octopus, EDF customers who use mashing machines after 6am 'warned'

UK households have been warned over little-known washing machine hacks which can slash your energy bills. British Gas, OVO, EDF, Eon Next and Octopus customers have also eben issued a "rule" they need to follow when loading the washers.

A laundry expert has shared how households can save money on bills when it comes to their washing machine. Vivien Fodour, laundry category manager at Indesit, warned households to start opting for a warm wash instead of a hot one.

This can significantly reduce the amount of energy used, Vivien said. The expert said: “If your washing machine is overloaded with clothes, it will take longer for the clothing to wash. Loads that are too small can also take longer, costing you extra per item.

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“Make sure to enter the recommended amount of clothes per cycle, which can usually be found on the front of your appliance.” As a "general rule", it is recommended to be able to fit at least one hand on top of the dirty laundry to ensure there is room for it to spin.

Issuing a warning over the amount of detergent you are using, Vivien wnt on to say: “Using the right amount of detergent will save you money by reducing the need for extra rinses, which means less water and electricity used with each load of laundry.”

The expert also had a warning over eco settings. The expert continued: “You can customise wash cycles for your needs, some cycles incorporate weight sensors to determine how much heat and water is needed per load.”

Other ways to save money include not running a half-empty washing machine as well as using the machine during off-peak hours. Whilst this does depend on what tariff you are on, off-peak hours tend to be between the hours of 10pm and 6am.