Consumer experts say you could cut your household energy bills with some simple adjustments – although sometimes it may not be suitable
UK households are being advised to make a simple adjustment to their washing machine settings to save money. The move, which involves adjusting the temperature dial, will save energy – but consumer experts say it should make no difference to stain removal.
Consumer watchdog Which? issued the guidance as it offered several pieces of advice for householders to save energy. The information comes after energy regulator Ofgem announced on Friday, November 21 that it would raise the energy price cap for the period covering January to March 2026. .
Which said in guidance issued on Thursday: “One of our top tips for reducing energy bills is washing at a lower temperature. We found that switching from 40°C to 30°C saved 38% of energy, while washing at 20°C saved up to 62% – that’s saving over half the amount of energy used by halving the temperature of the wash.”
The body says an average washing machine costs around £65 a year to run four washes a week, although this based on the October 2025 price cap. They say going down to 30°C would cut £25 off of an annual bill.
But going down to 20°C would reduce the cost by £40. Which? says that doing this should not generally make a difference when it comes to stain removal.
However, they advise that there will be times when cooler washes are not suitable.
Which? says that washing at 30°C is environmentally friendly. It is also good for delicates.
They say it also protects brightly coloured fabrics. However, they do warn that 40°C is better for stains that are tougher to remove.
And they note: “To ensure you banish bacteria from your items, you need to be washing at 60°C or higher with a good detergent.”
What washing machine setting does a doctor advise?
Dr Xand Tulleken advised BBC viewers earlier this year on the best temperatures to wash clothes in. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, he said that 30C or 40C is often fine for every day items.
He said 20C can be used for items that are lightly soiled. He said: “30 degrees, that gets the job done. It is much cheaper.
“So going from 40 to 30 saves you almost 40 per cent in energy costs and it’s quicker. Make sure you get a lower temperature detergent.
“And then there’s 20 degrees. I’ve gotta say, I’m a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes, which go in hotter.”