You do not always need to run a full wash to keep your clothes clean – and skipping it could save you money. The suggestion comes from consumer champion Which?, who have said that being more selective about when you use your washing machine can help reduce energy and water costs, especially if you avoid running unnecessary or lightly filled cycles.
In their latest advisory post on X, they say just a “few small changes can go a long way” which can help keep “costs down.” Which? says: “Before chucking an item in the wash, check whether it’s actually dirty or if it could just do with a spot clean because of a spillage. Overwashing can lead to a shorter life for clothes, so to keep them looking good for longer it’s better to wear an item multiple times between washes.”
So instead of a wash, the suggestion is: “If it’s just a small stain on a jumper, use a stain remover or some washing-up liquid to treat the mark so you don’t need to wash the whole thing.”
By doing this, you are not wasting energy, water, and detergent unnecessarily, so you are saving money in several ways, not just on bills.
If your clothes do need a good wash, make sure you load your machine the right way. Which? suggest: “Make sure everything is easy for the detergent to reach. Loosen your laundry before putting it in, because if your clothes are tangled together into a ball, they won’t be washed as well. If you have a washer-dryer, laundry will also take longer to dry, driving up running costs.”
When it comes to bedding, make sure you check for anything trapped inside your duvet “for the most effective wash and efficient dry possible. Also make sure all of the buttons or poppers are closed to prevent any smaller items from being ‘swallowed’ up by your bedding”, it adds.
Change the temperature
Washing your clothes at a lower temperature is one of the simplest ways to reduce your energy bills. Dropping from 40C to 30C can cut energy use by about 38%, and washing at 20C can save up to 62% – over half your energy consumption just by halving the temperature. The specalist highlights: “This adds up within the space of a year – an average washing machine costs about £65 a year to run four washes a week (based on the October 2025 price cap), so dialling down to 30C would shave £25 off of an annual bill, while washing at 20C will cut that cost by £40.”
For more money-saving tips you can check out our money-saving page here or check out how to save money when washing your clothes via Which?.