Be kind to your clothes – & nature
Loading up the machine with a full load though is not the way to do it. Rather than conserving energy, you're more likely to have to run the cycle again, as an overloaded machine can result in a poor wash than at higher temperatures. Follow your machine manufacturer's advice on how full your machine should be loaded. The good news is that the great cleaning power of Omo detergents means it can produce brilliantly clean clothes even at low temperatures!
It's also worth remembering from time to time to running you machine empty on a hot wash About once a week, do a wash at 40°C or higher just to make sure bacteria don't have a chance to grow in your machine and cause unpleasant smells.
Take a look at our guide to washing at 30°C.
- Wash stained clothes as soon as possible - before the stain has dried out is best!
- Always read the care label - and sort your clothes by colour, temperature and fabric.
- The care label indicates the highest temperature the garment can be washed in without damaging it, but it is perfectly OK to wash at a lower temperature to save energy.
- Wash badly stained garments separately at the maximum temperatures on their care labels, especially those with dried-on, strongly-coloured food, thick grease, heavy mud and grass stains. Otherwise you could waste energy by washing them again.
- Washing part loads uses energy less efficiently than a full load, so try to collect together full loads that can use the same wash cycle Separate the clothes of any ill person in the household, and wash these at the maximum temperature shown on the care label. This will give the highest level of germ kill, and help to prevent any spread of the infection.
- Even at lower temperatures, you still need to wash dark clothes separately.
- For the less dirty clothes, choose a 30°C cycle appropriate to the fabric, e.g. silk/wool, delicates, synthetics, or cotton. Choosing the wrong cycle may damage your clothes, and will not clean as effectively.
- It's important that you use the recommended amount of detergent, as shown on the pack, for your water hardness, machine size and how dirty your clothes are. The detergent has to work harder at lower temperatures, and using too little may mean you have to wash again, wasting energy and detergent.
- Omo liquid products are ideal for the 30°C wash because they dissolve so easily.
- After washing, don't allow your clothes to lie around wet any longer than you need to - bacteria can grow in the moisture, leading to unpleasant smells.
- If the great British weather permits, dry your clothes outside on the line rather than tumble drying to save even more energy.
