EVERYONE is trying to save some extra money here and there, now more than ever.
The biggest drain on your wallet could be the appliances in your home, and although you can’t stop using them altogether there are a few tricks to help cut the cost.
2
2
Here are some of the best tricks, tips and hacks to save money on your freezer, dishwasher and washing machine.
Washing machine tricks
Washing clothes is unavoidable, and although there are a few savvy tricks to get more wear from your outfits, sooner or later you’ll have to chuck them into the washing machine.
Check the settings
It might seem obvious, but one of the best ways to cut the cost of using any appliance is to make sure you’re using it right.
Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, told Express.co.uk that digging out that dusty manual could save you loads.
If you’re anything like us, you probably use the same one or two cycles without giving it much thought, but knowing the best option for each load can reduce your bills, Sarah explained.
In fact, according to British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers, you could save £10 a year from dialling your machine to economy setting alone.
Most read in Lifestyle
Cut the time of your wash
According to @costoflivingcrisistips, stopping your wash mid-cycle can help save some extra cash.
“Stop the machine mid-cycle. Wait until the water drains, or set to spin.
“Less time = more savings,” they explained.
This is a handy trick if your washing machine doesn’t have many options for shorter cycles.
Freezer tricks
Freezing food in general is a great way to stretch your money further, but if you’re not making the most out of the appliance itself it could be costing you more than it needs to.
Don’t forget to defrost
When was the last time you defrosted your freezer? If you’re anything like us it’s probably been a while, but it’s so easy to do.
According to Whirlpool, “the easiest way to defrost a freezer is to simply let the ice melt on its own.
“After you unplug your appliance, leave the door open and wait for the ice to melt on its own.”
That said, if you want a quicker result, Mrs Hinch fans revealed on the Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks that they use a hairdryer to speed to process up.
Add bags of frozen water
Sam Whillance, savings expert at discounts platform Deal.Town, explained to the Express how Britons can save money by keeping bags of frozen water in their freezer.
“Most of the energy your freezer uses goes towards cooling down the air that comes in when you open the freezer door,” he explained.
This means that if your freezer is full of warm air, it can’t hold as much food.
Not only that but any warm air that is in your freezer will be easier to cool down.
The Energy Saving Trust confirmed this and a spokesperson said that “your fridge freezer works best when it’s three quarters full.”
Dishwasher hacks
Dishwashers are notoriously expensive to run, but they’re also incredibly time-saving if you’re too busy to wash everything by hand.
Here are a few tricks to make the most of the appliance and cut costs.
Use your dishwasher later
You might think that ditching the dishwasher altogether is the best way to save money, but this may not actually be the case.
Quieter times – when electricity is cheapest – is usually between 10pm and 8am.
The most expensive time would be between 4pm and 7pm, so try to avoid using your machine between these hours, if possible.
That said, you should avoid leaving your dishwasher running while you sleep, as this could be a fire hazard, so make sure you’re still up if you want to do a late night load of dishes.
Wash at the right temperature
The Energy Saving Trust calculates that the average dishwasher costs between £60 and £80 a year to run, so cuttings costs by using a lower temperature can make a big difference.
Although most dishwasher are set to around 55ºC and 65ºC., you could use 20% to 40% less energy by opting for an eco setting, Which? reports.
