With energy costs on many households’ minds, finding simple ways to reduce electricity use has never been more important. One of the easiest places to start is your washing machine. Surprisingly, many people still wash clothes at higher temperatures than necessary, even though modern detergents and washing machines are designed to clean effectively with cooler water.
The result? You could be using more energy than needed without getting noticeably cleaner laundry.
The Temperature Many People Overlook
For everyday clothing that isn’t heavily soiled, 30°C (86°F) is often enough to achieve excellent cleaning results.
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Heating the water accounts for a large portion of a washing machine’s energy use. By choosing a lower temperature, the machine uses less electricity, which can help reduce household energy costs over time.
Why 30°C Works So Well
Modern laundry detergents contain enzymes that are formulated to work effectively at lower temperatures. For most daily laundry—including T-shirts, jeans, socks, and lightly soiled clothes—a 30°C cycle can:
- Remove everyday dirt and sweat.
- Protect colours from fading.
- Reduce fabric wear.
- Help clothes last longer.
- Use less energy than hotter washes.
Unless clothes are heavily stained or require sanitising, hotter water is often unnecessary.
When You Should Use Higher Temperatures
Cool washes aren’t suitable for every load.
Consider washing at 40°C (104°F) or 60°C (140°F) for:
- Towels used by multiple people.
- Bed linens when someone is ill.
- Cloth nappies (diapers).
- Underwear, if recommended by the care label.
- Heavily soiled work clothes.
- Items that require a hotter wash according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Always check the garment’s care label before selecting a wash temperature.
More Ways to Save on Laundry Costs
Lowering the temperature is only one way to make laundry more efficient.
You can also:
- Wash full loads instead of several small ones.
- Use the correct amount of detergent.
- Choose the eco cycle when time isn’t an issue.
- Spin clothes thoroughly to reduce drying time.
- Clean the washing machine filter regularly for efficient operation.
Don’t Forget Washing Machine Maintenance
Even if you usually wash at 30°C, it’s a good idea to run an occasional hot maintenance cycle (following your machine manufacturer’s recommendations) to help reduce detergent residue, odours, and mould that can build up over time.
The Bottom Line
Many households routinely use hotter wash temperatures than necessary. For everyday laundry, 30°C is often sufficient, thanks to modern detergents and washing machines. Using cooler water can help reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and be gentler on your clothes—all without sacrificing cleaning performance in most cases.
For heavily soiled items or when hygiene is especially important, higher temperatures may still be the better choice. The key is matching the wash temperature to the type of laundry rather than using the hottest setting by default.