Delicate wash consumes most water and energy, says study

The washing machine is one of the most important appliances in the home. Just throw dirty clothes into the drum, add detergent, pour in fabric softener, and set the appropriate programme. It turns out that many of us choose a programme that consumes huge amounts of water.

We use the washing machine several times a week. Thanks to it, we can enjoy clean, beautifully smelling laundry without the need for hand washing. Although the appliance is considered eco-friendly, much depends on which programme we use. One of them consumes large amounts of water. Which programme are we talking about?

Standard washing machines offer several different programmes adapted to different types of fabrics. Each of them is characterised by different temperature settings and spin cycles, which has a direct impact on energy consumption. The more spins, the higher the electricity consumption, similar to higher temperatures.

Most of us mainly use two or three programmes. One of the most frequently chosen is the one for washing bedding and towels, due to the need to wash them at the highest temperature for hygiene. Another popular programme is the one designed for dark fabrics, followed by the delicate wash. It might seem that the latter uses the least water. It turns out that this is completely different.

Scientists at Newcastle University have proven that the delicate wash programme consumes the most water and energy. The study showed that up to 1.4 million microfibres are released from polyester fabrics during a delicate wash. In comparison, during the use of a standard cotton wash programme, about 800,000 microfibres are released. A large amount of fibres is associated with significantly higher water consumption and, consequently, electricity.

Fabrics such as cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, and muslin can be washed at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius, minimising the risk of damaging or shrinking the material. However, experts warn against washing at this temperature because a washing machine set to 40 degrees uses twice as much energy as at 30 degrees Celsius.

If you want to save electricity and water, wash clothes at 30 degrees Celsius and towels and bedding at 60 degrees Celsius. Consider using mild detergents that are safe for the skin and the environment. You can easily make them at home. Laundry detergent can be replaced with baking soda or washing soda with soap flakes. Fabric softener can be replaced with vinegar with a few drops of your favourite essential oil.