If you use too much detergent every time you wash and only fill the drum half, you waste powder and electricity. But there is another way.
“Laundrying is a lot about habits. In order to protect the environment and save money, it is worth taking a closer look at your washing routine – and adjusting it if necessary,” says Indra Enterlein from the German Nature Conservation Union (Nabu).
The head of resource policy at Nabu gives five tips on how to wash your laundry in an environmentally friendly and economical way.
It starts with the new purchase: “You should choose the device with the best energy efficiency class, advises Enterlein. The machines are comparatively expensive. “However, such devices often pay off in the long term due to the saved energy costs”.
In principle, the water and electricity consumption of new devices is perfectly optimized. Nevertheless, you can do without some programs – a prewash, for example, is only rarely necessary, according to Enterlein.
When operating the machine, she advises choosing an environmental or eco wash cycle. “Although it takes longer, it uses less energy than a short-term program.”
Reason: The laundry soaks longer. So the machine needs less energy to remove stains and clean the clothes.
If you run the machine at a low temperature, for example 20 degrees, you can save up to 70 percent on electricity costs. This is shown by calculations by the consumer initiative. If the water temperature is 40 instead of 60 degrees, the device consumes up to 50 percent less electricity.
Why can so much energy be saved via temperature? “When the water is heated, the washing machine uses up to 90 percent of the energy,” explains Nabu expert Enterlein. The higher the temperature, the more energy the device consumes.
However, a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is often sufficient for the laundry to be clean, according to Enterlein. Nevertheless, she advises: “You should regularly plan a wash cycle at 60 degrees – every two to three weeks – so that no germs form in the machine.”
“Many detergents are now very compact and economical,” says Enterlein. “It’s good for the environment. But the Germans often overdose the detergent as a result.” The dosage of washing powder depends on the water hardness, the size of the appliance and the degree of soiling of the laundry.
It is worth asking the local waterworks about the water hardness. “The less calcareous the water is, the less detergent you need.”
Once you have determined the amount correctly, you can make a mark on the dosage cap – and thus avoid overdosing, recommends Enterlein. You can also usually do without fabric softener.
“You can save the most if you don’t buy a dryer – in addition to the acquisition costs, there are also no electricity costs,” says Enterlein.
The savings potential is enormous. According to a survey by the Öko-Institut, the power consumption of the most energy-efficient dryer is 156 kilowatt hours per year. For comparison: With the most efficient washing machine in the survey, it is around 90 kilowatt hours per year.
The price of electricity is at a record high, but the kilowatt hour will be even more expensive at the turn of the year. The reason: higher network costs and allocations. But with a change, consumers could save up to over 200 euros.
Source: WORLD / Simone Egarter
