washing

[DoctorGilbertson]

Apologies for the boring question. Is it more energy efficient to do a superspin on my washing machine after a wash (i.e. run an extra spin cycle) then tumble dry or just tumble dry after a normal spin?

[Soditall]

I do a superspin after every wash on my washing machine and it comes out so much drier.It only takes 7 mins on our washing machine but saves us 20-30 minutes in the tumble dryer.

[loubielou31]

Definitely long spin if you're tumble drying. If you're drying outdoors however and short spin will save electricity and the motor in the washing machine and your clothes will need less ironing.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I really want a spin dryer, 2800rpm, it would speed up drying time on jeans and towels.

[BrownSauceSandwich]

Definitely spin more. Any electric heating element guzzles energy, so you want to mechanically remove as much of the water as you can or you're just having to heat more.

[DoctorGilbertson]

Thank you - to continue this rock and roll theme is it more efficient to run my dishwasher for 30 minutes at 65 degrees or 1.15 hours at 50 minutes, which seem to be the options that I have?

Also, advice about 1970's electric storage hot air central heating welcome, but I suspect that this is along shot ...

[Fluffycloudland77]

Have you got the manual for the dishwasher? You can download them for free usually. It should tell you how much water and electric are used in each cycle.

Failing that get something like this, www.maplin.co.uk/13a-plug-in-energy-saving-monitor-223573, you need to know your unit pice or electric incl vat though.

If you post in good housekeeping I bet PigletJohn will know about hot air heating.

[LBDD]

My dishwasher has lots of different options including a quick hot wash but according to the manual, the 3hr economy wash at 50 uses considerably less power and water.

[dementedma]

Get rid of dishwasher and wash by hand.small bowlful of hot water,very low cost. Everyone take turns so no huge effort. In Summer, use soapy water to deter greenfly or water plants.

[Fluffycloudland77]

My dw only uses 9lts to rinse and wash, that's a whole days crocks done.

[Bunbaker]

These days using a dishwasher is more energy efficient and environmentally than doing several bowls of washing up by hand.

[mousmous]

most dishwasher are more efficient (and more hygienic) than washing up per hand.
ours uses 7 liters on the economy cycle. that's one sinks full in handwashing terms. I wouldn't be able to wash a full load by hand with only that amount of water!

economical laundry: wash most things at 30, long cycle, with bio powder, extra spin, line dry if possible, no ironing. occassionally a 60 or 90 degree wash to freshen the mashine up. own brand detergent is usually as efficient as branded stuff, it's just a matter of prefering a certain smell imo.

[MinimalistMommi]

mous is it not cheaper to do a 30 min cycle at 30 degrees rather than a long cycle at 30 degrees? I've been automatically been doing a 30 min cycle but always looking for tips to save money!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Sometimes the shorter cycles agitate the washing more to get it clean, the longer ones soak them clean.

[mousmous]

the shorter cycles use (usualy) more water, or stuff wouldn't get clean. more water also needs more energy to heat.
the long cycles tend to use less water, moving clothes around for longer to get them clean.

[MinimalistMommi]

Well that's taught me something!