6 ways to save money when washing your clothes

We all have our particular habits when it comes to doing laundry, but some can end up costing more money than necessary.

From how often you wash your clothes to filling the machine to the appropriate level, and the amount of detergent you use, we can help you to wash efficiently and effectively without compromising on cleanliness.

Find out how you can upgrade your laundry routine so you don't spend more than you need to.

1. Spot clean or full wash?

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. This means you're not wasting energy, water and detergent unnecessarily too. 

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. 

If your clothes are dirty and you’re putting on a full wash, 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.

With duvet covers, check for anything trapped inside, 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.

Our guide on how to wash clothes explains how many wears we recommend for different clothing types

2. Use a sensible amount of detergent

A common misconception with laundry is that using more detergent will result in cleaner clothes. But quite the opposite can be true: too much can leave your clothes stained and covered in white streaks or a slimy film because it wasn't rinsed away properly. It also costs more as you get through your detergent more quickly. 

The amount you need can vary depending on the capacity of your machine, so check the instruction manual or manufacturer website, and also be sure to read the instructions on the detergent packaging itself. If you find it difficult to judge the correct dosage, then use pods or capsules instead of powder or liquid. 

And remember that a higher price doesn't automatically mean a better clean. Some of the detergents we've tested cost more than 30p per wash, while others are as little as 9p. 

We've tested big brands such as Ariel, Ecover and Persil – alongside supermarket own brands – to find the best and worst laundry detergents

3. Make sure it’s a full load – but don't overfill

Putting on a full load of washing is the most energy-efficient - and therefore cost-effective way - of using your machine. 

Avoid overloading your machine, because this will mean clothes have a limited amount of space to move around and little room for the detergent to disperse. But don't underload it either or you'll end up paying more to do your laundry if you run smaller, more frequent washes. 

Aim for three quarters full. If you can fit your hand in the space between the clothes and the drum – palm facing to the side – you're on the right track. 

In terms of drying, you can save money by separating different types of fabrics. A load of cottons will dry far faster than heavy denim, and drying different fabrics together can confuse the machine's drying sensors, resulting in a longer overall cycle time. 

4. Avoid using during peak hours

On some energy plans, electricity costs more during peak times, which is often between 5pm and 8pm when people come home from work and switch on their appliances. Avoiding these times, and taking advantage of 'time of use' tariffs, may be a great way of saving money. 

However, we don't recommend leaving washing machines, washer-dryers and tumble dryers running when you’re sleeping as they can be a potential fire hazard.

You'll generally need a smart meter to take advantage of off-peak rates. 

For further advice, read our guide to Economy 7 and other 'time of use' tariffs

5. Wash at lower temperatures where possible

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.

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 dialing down to 30°C would shave £25 off of an annual bill, while washing at 20°C will cut that cost by £40.

In general, it doesn't compromise on stain removal if you do wash at these temperatures, but there will be some occasions where cooler washes aren't suitable. We did find that switching from powder detergent to liquid made some difference though.

Find out more in our washing machine temperature guide

6. Keep on top of maintenance

It’s not just the running costs that can make your bills stack up, but repair costs as well. Although some issues will need a professional fix, in the first instance it's worth checking whether it's something that you can sort.

For example, a blocked detergent line, filter or drainage pipe will prevent your clothes from getting cleaned properly. Find out more about these and other issues in common washing machine problems and how to fix them.

Similarly, a clogged filter on a tumble dryer restricts the flow of air, making drying less efficient. Check out our guide to tumble dryer tips and maintenance to help you diagnose any issues and keep things running smoothly.

But always get a professional for specialised or potentially dangerous repairs. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable appliance specialist near you.