# Save Water and Energy When Doing Laundry: 10 Tips

> Did you know a 30 degree C wash uses 3x less energy than 60 degrees? 10 practical tips to cut water, energy and laundry costs, with figures per cycle.

**Published :** 2026-03-23 · **Updated :** 2026-04-26

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**Résumé :** An average household uses **10,000 to 15,000 litres of water** and **150 to
250 kWh of electricity** per year just for laundry, totalling **EUR 80 to
150**. By applying 10 simple habits — low temperature, full loads, eco
programme, maximum spin, natural drying — you can cut this bill by **30 to
50%** without sacrificing cleanliness. The highest-impact step: lowering the
temperature from 60 °C to 30 °C, which halves the cycle's electricity
consumption.

## At a glance

- **30 °C instead of 60 °C** — halves electricity consumption. Modern detergents work from 20 °C.
- **Always full loads** — a half-full machine wastes 50% of water and energy per kilogram of laundry.
- **Eco programme** — 30-50% less energy, 20-30% less water. Longer, but more economical.
- **Maximum spin** — reduces drying time and therefore dryer consumption.
- **Natural drying when possible** — the dryer uses 2-4 kWh per cycle, as much as 4 wash cycles.

## How much does a washing machine really consume?

Before optimising, you need to measure. A washing machine's consumption depends on three factors: water temperature, water volume, and cycle duration.

### Electricity: 75-85% goes to heating water

The main electricity consumer in a washing machine is not the motor — it is the **heating element**. Heating 50 litres of water from 15 °C (mains temperature) to 60 °C requires about 2.6 kWh of thermal energy. In practice, with element losses, a 60 °C cycle consumes **0.9 to 1.2 kWh**.

| Temperature | kWh per cycle | Electricity cost (EUR 0.20/kWh) | Annual cost (220 cycles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (< 20 °C) | 0.15-0.25 | EUR 0.03-0.05 | EUR 7-11 |
| 30 °C | 0.30-0.40 | EUR 0.06-0.08 | EUR 13-18 |
| 40 °C | 0.50-0.70 | EUR 0.10-0.14 | EUR 22-31 |
| 60 °C | 0.90-1.20 | EUR 0.18-0.24 | EUR 40-53 |
| 90 °C | 1.50-2.00 | EUR 0.30-0.40 | EUR 66-88 |

**The takeaway is clear**: switching from 60 °C to 30 °C divides electricity consumption by **2.5 to 3**. Over a year, that saves **EUR 25 to 40** on the electricity component alone.

### Water: 40 to 60 litres per cycle

A modern domestic washing machine (7-8 kg, class A) uses **40 to 60 litres of water** per full cycle (wash + rinse). Older or larger machines can reach 70-80 litres.

Over a year (220 cycles), that represents **8,800 to 13,200 litres** of water, or about **EUR 30 to 45** at an average water price.

For detailed consumption data by machine type, see our [water and electricity consumption guide](/en/blog/washing-machine-energy-consumption/index.md).

## Tip 1 — Wash at low temperature

This is the highest-impact habit. Water temperature is the factor that most influences energy consumption, and it is also the easiest to change.

### Why 30 °C is enough for everyday laundry

Modern detergents are formulated to work at low temperatures. The enzymes (proteases, lipases, amylases) in detergents are active from 20 °C and reach optimal effectiveness between 30 and 40 °C. They break down proteins (sweat, food stains), fats (sebum) and starches without needing heat.

[Washing at 30 or 40 °C](/en/blog/30-vs-40-degrees/index.md) is sufficient for everyday laundry: t-shirts, trousers, underwear, jumpers. 60 °C is still needed for hygiene textiles (sheets, towels, tea towels) and in case of illness — but these washes represent at most 20-30% of your cycles.

> Some machines offer a cold programme (\< 20 °C). For very lightly soiled
> laundry (garment worn for a few hours, nightwear), this is a viable option
> that uses **75% less energy** than a 40 °C cycle. See our guide on [cold
> washing](/en/blog/cold-wash-temperature/index.md) for when to use it.

## Tip 2 — Always fill the machine

A washing machine uses virtually **the same amount of water and energy** whether full or half-full. Load sensors in modern machines adjust the water volume slightly, but the saving is marginal (10-15% less water for a load halved).

### The fist rule

To check if your machine is properly filled, use the **fist rule**: you should be able to fit your clenched fist between the top of the load and the door seal. If your entire arm fits, the machine is too empty. If your fist does not fit, it is too full (laundry will not tumble properly during the wash).

## Tip 3 — Use the eco programme

The eco programme is the most energy-efficient wash mode. It combines **low temperature** with **extended cycle time** to achieve the same cleaning result as a standard programme.

### How it works

Instead of heating water to the displayed temperature and washing quickly, the eco programme heats water to a lower temperature (sometimes 10-15 °C below the display) and compensates with:

- **Longer soaking**: laundry stays submerged longer, allowing detergent to penetrate fibres without needing heat.
- **Extended agitation**: the drum rotates longer at low speed, creating mechanical action that compensates for the thermal reduction.
- **Optimised rinsing**: the eco programme often uses less rinse water while maintaining effectiveness.

The result: **30 to 50% less energy** and **20 to 30% less water**, for a longer cycle (2h30-4h instead of 1h30-2h).

## Tip 4 — Spin at maximum

Spinning uses almost no electricity (0.02-0.05 kWh), but it has a **major impact on drying**. The more the laundry is spun, the less residual water it contains, and the faster it will dry — whether air-drying or tumble-drying.

### Spin speed and residual moisture

| Spin speed | Residual moisture | Air-dry time (summer) | Tumble-dryer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 rpm | 60% | 6-8 hours | 90-120 minutes |
| 1,000 rpm | 52% | 4-6 hours | 70-100 minutes |
| 1,200 rpm | 44% | 3-5 hours | 50-80 minutes |
| 1,400 rpm | 38% | 2-4 hours | 40-60 minutes |

Going from 800 to 1,400 rpm reduces residual moisture from 60% to 38%, saving **30 to 50 minutes of tumble-drying** per cycle (about 0.5-1 kWh).

**Watch out for delicate textiles**: wool, silk and some synthetics cannot tolerate high-speed spinning (risk of deformation, felting). Check the garment label.

## Tip 5 — Prefer natural drying

The tumble dryer is one of the most energy-hungry household appliances. A drying cycle uses **2 to 4 kWh** — as much as **3 to 6 wash cycles at 30 °C**.

### Alternatives

- ☀️ **Outdoor drying rack** — The most economical and ecological option. In summer, laundry dries in 2-4 hours. Sunlight naturally whitens white laundry and kills some bacteria through UV action.
- 🏠 **Ventilated indoor drying** — In winter or in a flat, a drying rack in a well-ventilated room (extractor fan, window ajar) dries laundry in 6-12 hours. Avoid closed rooms without ventilation — see our guide on <a href='/en/blog/indoor-drying-humidity/index.md'>indoor drying without humidity</a>.
- 🔄 **Heat-pump tumble dryer** — If a dryer is essential, choose a heat-pump model (class A+++ possible). It uses 40-50% less energy than a standard condenser dryer. The investment pays for itself in 2-3 years.

## Tip 6 — Maintain your machine (descaling)

A poorly maintained machine uses more energy. **Limescale** that builds up on the heating element acts as a thermal insulator: the element must heat longer to reach the same water temperature, increasing electricity consumption.

A 2 mm layer of limescale on the element increases heating consumption by **15 to 20%**. Run an empty cycle at 60 °C with **2 litres of [white vinegar](https://amzn.to/4bReOuT)** every 2-3 months. For a more complete clean, see our [guide to descaling your washing machine](/en/blog/descale-washing-machine/index.md) or our general guide to [cleaning your washing machine](/en/blog/clean-washing-machine-guide/index.md).

## Tip 7 — Dose detergent correctly

Overdosing detergent is a double waste. First, you use more product than necessary (direct cost). Second, excess detergent requires **more rinse water** to flush out — some machines automatically run an extra rinse when they detect too much foam.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging and adjust according to:

- **Water hardness**: soft water = minimum dose. Hard water = maximum dose.
- **Level of soiling**: lightly soiled = reduced dose. Heavily soiled = normal dose.
- **Load size**: half load = half dose.

For a detailed guide, see our article on [detergent dosage](/en/blog/detergent-dosage-guide/index.md).

## Tip 8 — Choose a class-A machine

If your machine is over 10 years old, replacing it with a recent class-A model can generate significant savings.

| Criterion | Machine > 10 years | Class A machine (2024-2026) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water per cycle (40 °C, full load) | 60-80 litres | 40-50 litres | 25-35% |
| Energy per cycle (40 °C) | 0.8-1.1 kWh | 0.5-0.7 kWh | 30-40% |
| Annual cost (220 cycles) | EUR 120-170 | EUR 70-100 | EUR 50-70/year |

The annual saving of EUR 50-70 means a class-A machine at EUR 400-500 pays for itself in **6-8 years** on water and energy savings alone.

## Tip 9 — Wash during off-peak hours

If you have a time-of-use electricity tariff, run your machines during off-peak periods. Off-peak kWh prices are typically **20-25% lower** than peak rates.

Off-peak hours vary by provider and location, but generally fall between **10 pm and 6 am** (night) and sometimes **12 pm and 2 pm** (midday). Check your electricity bill for your exact time slots.

Most modern machines have a **delayed start** feature. Programme your machine to start at 2 am: it will run entirely during off-peak hours, and the laundry will be ready to hang when you wake up.

> **Warning:**
> - **Night-time noise in flats** — check your building's regulations. Spinning at 1,400 rpm at 3 am can create neighbour conflicts. Reduce spin speed for night washes.
> - **Laundry sitting wet too long** — if the cycle finishes at 4 am and you do not hang it until 8 am, the laundry has sat for 4 hours in a damp closed drum. Result: <a href='/en/blog/laundry-smells-bad-after-washing/index.md'>musty odours</a>. Open the door as soon as you wake up.

## Tip 10 — The shared laundromat: the most efficient option

The laundromat is, by nature, a shared consumption model. Instead of one washer per household (used 4-5 hours a week, idle the remaining 163 hours), laundromat machines run continuously and serve dozens of households.

### Professional machine efficiency

Professional laundromat machines have a better energy efficiency per kilogram of laundry than domestic machines.

- ⚡ **Optimised consumption** — Professional machines are designed for intensive operation. Their thermal insulation is superior, their motors more efficient, and their programming is calibrated to minimise water and energy per kilo of laundry washed.
- 💧 **Better water-to-laundry ratio** — Professional laundromat machines (9-18 kg capacity) use 30-50% less water per kilogram of laundry than a standard domestic machine (5-8 kg), thanks to their optimised drum design and larger loads. The bigger the load, the better the ratio.
- 🏭 **Equipment pooling** — Manufacturing a washing machine requires raw materials, energy and produces CO2. A laundromat machine replaces 20-30 domestic machines over its lifetime, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing.

## Summary: the 10 tips and their impact

| Tip | Estimated annual saving | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 1\. Lower temperature (60 to 30 °C) | EUR 25-40 | None |
| 2\. Always full loads | EUR 20-40 | None (organisation) |
| 3\. Eco programme | EUR 10-20 | None (longer) |
| 4\. Maximum spin | EUR 5-15 (drying impact) | None |
| 5\. Natural drying | EUR 90-180 (if replacing dryer) | Medium (space and time needed) |
| 6\. Regular descaling | EUR 5-10 | Low (once every 2-3 months) |
| 7\. Correct detergent dosage | EUR 10-20 (detergent + rinse water) | None |
| 8\. Class-A machine | EUR 50-70 | Initial investment |
| 9\. Off-peak hours | EUR 10-15 | Low (delayed start) |
| 10\. Shared laundromat | Variable (machine depreciation avoided) | Low (travel) |

By combining tips 1 to 7 (no investment), a household can save **EUR 75 to 145 per year** on its laundry bill. With natural drying (tip 5), the total saving can reach **EUR 200 to 300** per year.

**White vinegar 14° (5 L)**

The ultimate multi-purpose product: natural softener, anti-limescale, deodoriser and colour reviver.

*Cet article contient des liens affiliés. Les prix et la disponibilité peuvent varier.*



## Sources and references

- [Water and electricity consumption of a washing machine](/en/blog/washing-machine-energy-consumption/index.md)
- [Washing at 30 or 40 °C: what is the difference](/en/blog/30-vs-40-degrees/index.md)
- [Washing machine programmes explained](/en/blog/washing-machine-programs-guide/index.md)
- [Indoor drying without humidity](/en/blog/indoor-drying-humidity/index.md)
- [Detergent dosage: how much to use](/en/blog/detergent-dosage-guide/index.md)
- [Descale your washing machine](/en/blog/descale-washing-machine/index.md)
- [Eco-friendly laundromat technologies](/en/blog/eco-laundromat-technologies/index.md)