From drinking to cooking, from washing to farming, water is an indispensable element of our daily lives. It’s also becoming an increasingly valuable commodity. Earth may be 71% water, but only 3% of this is fresh water – and with 2% locked away in glaciers and ice caps, only 1% is available for drinking.
With this in mind, not to mention droughts and water shortages affecting South Africa, it’s important to know how to conserve water at home.
Doing less laundry saves water, energy and time. Most items can be worn or used numerous times before they require washing, so let your laundry pile up and run full loads less often instead of tackling smaller loads throughout the week.
How much water does a washing machine use?
Keeping a close eye on your washing machine water usage is an effective way to save water in your household.
How much water does a washing machine use? It depends on the machine, but on average one wash uses between 30 and 70 litres of water. If you have several loads of laundry to do, this can easily stack up to hundreds of litres of water in one day.
5 energy saving tips for your washing machine.
Even with a modern washing machine water usage can really add up. Try these energy saving tips for washing machines which can save water and trim your bills.
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Do less laundry Wondering how to save water and electricity at home? Simply use your washing machine less! Towels can be used multiple times and clothes can be worn 2-3 times before they need a wash. An instant energy saver – and you’ll spend less time on household chores.
Use cold water One of our favourite energy saving tips for washing machines – use cold or warm water to wash clothes. Why? Firstly, heating up the water is the most energy intensive part of the laundry process. Secondly, hot water can cause your clothes to fade. Only run a hot wash for sheets and towels, otherwise stick to cold.
Run full loads Run large or full loads instead of multiple small loads throughout the week. Consolidating washes is more efficient – not just in terms of energy, but your time too! Save the laundry for one particular day of the week, or simply wait until your laundry hamper is full before putting on a wash. If you have a more modern machine then you can opt for a quick wash cycle and still get your clothes feeling brand new with OMO Auto.
Hand wash where possible One of the easiest ways to save water while doing your laundry is to hand wash clothes where possible. Not only will this reduce the amount of water consumed in your household, but it’s also the best way to clean delicate garments and woollen clothes which could be damaged in the machine.
Use the right amount of detergent by using the correct amount of laundry detergent, you won’t need to use an extra rinse cycle, and you’ll prevent residue build-up which can eventually lead to blockages.
If you’ve ever wondered how to save water and electricity at home and make substantial cuts, consider investing in a water saving washing machine.
Front-loading machines use less water than top-loading appliances. You could also combine a quick wash setting with OMO Auto and an eco or high-efficiency machine to drastically reduce your footprint. You’ll also see the benefits of a water saving washing machine when it’s time to pay your energy bill.
Protect against drought and safeguard your finances by conserving water. A little effort can make a huge difference in the long run.
Use cold water – hot water consumes energy and fades clothes.
Run full loads – wait for your laundry basket to fill up.
Hand wash where possible – hand washing saves water and is ideal for delicates.
Do less laundry – dedicate one day to laundry instead of running loads all week.
Invest in an eco-friendly machine – save thousands of litres of water every year.