Don't get your washing into hot water

Switch washing temperature or wash cycle to cold water wash

Of course your washing machine uses electricity but did you realise that you're using even more power if the hot or warm wash cycles are selected?

If you have electric hot water, it'll usually account for a third of your total power use and if you use hot or warm water washing cycles this will really bump your bill up. As most electricity in New South Wales is generated from coal-fired power stations, electric hot water is a major contributor to carbon pollution.

Lots of people choose to use the cold wash cycle, or just connect their washing machine to the cold water tap, because cold water washes just as well as warm but is cheaper and has less impact on our environment.

By using cold water rather than a warm wash you can save about $35 each year off your power bill - more if you regularly use the hot wash cycle. You'll also remove 400kg of dirty carbon pollution.

It's easy to save power and money by washing in cold water:

there are many environmentally-friendly detergents available for cold water washing
look at the recommended care instructions on any garment and you'll see most clothes don't need a hot water wash
your clothes wash just as well in cold water and are less prone to shrinking and fading

You can save even more money and further reduce carbon pollution by hanging your clothes out to dry rather than using your dryer.

Black balloon saving

Washing in cold water removes ugly carbon pollution - around 8,000 black balloons less each year.

Don't get your washing into hot water

Did you know?

Big savings

Black balloon saving