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.

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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 you spilled something on it. 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 also means you're not wasting energy, water and detergent unnecessarily. 

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.

Our how to wash clothes guide 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 size 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 50p per wash, while others are as little as 7p. 

Read our washing powder and laundry detergent reviews to find a detergent that balances effective cleaning with cost

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. To find out more, read our guide to Economy 7 and other 'time of use' tariffs.

For more tips on saving money, check out 10 ways to save on energy bills

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 April 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. 

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 our search tool to find a Which? Trusted Trader near you.

If it’s simply time for a new appliance, Which? has tested and researched washing machines for decades. So we're a good bet if you want to find a machine that costs less to run. 

Check out our pick of the top-performing energy-efficient washing machines and the best cheap washing machines for under £400.

We've also tested different types of laundry detergent, tumble dryers and washer-dryers.