These clever household tricks will save you money – and make life easier to boot
AVOID OVERFILLING YOUR WASHING MACHINE
Michelle Feng, laundry expert at Hisense (uk.hisense.com) says: “While overloading may seem like a faster way to get through big laundry loads, it can do more harm than good. An overfilled drum leaves clothes with little room to move, preventing stains from washing out properly and leaving items looking dirty.”
BOIL ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
Gwil Snook, appliance expert at AO, says: “Only boiling the water that you need saves both water and money as you aren’t wasting any excess energy per boil. It’s also good practice to descale your kettle once a month to prevent any limescale from building in your device. Limescale forces your kettle to work harder which consumes more energy and even shortens its lifespan.”
CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE
Michelle says: “Regularly cleaning your washing machine is just as important as doing the laundry itself. With every cycle, detergent residue and dirt can build up inside the drum and seals, and overtime, this not only causes unpleasant odours but can also transfer grime back into your clothes, leaving them dirtier than before.”
DETERGENT RULES
Michelle says: “When tackling a whites wash, don’t use too much detergent. Excess product leaves residue on fabrics, causing whites to appear dull and less fresh over time.”
EFFICIENT HEATING
Caroline Mills, head of brand at Safestyle, says: “Install reflective radiator foil behind radiators, particularly those mounted on external walls. This cheap material reflects heat back into the room, rather than letting it escape into the cold wall behind.” Try this budget roll from Screwfix for just £7.51 for 4m.
FILL YOUR DISHWASHER
Gwill says: “Like your washing machine, dishwashers are only energy efficient when you run them on a full load. Make sure it’s fully stacked and scrape food off dishes rather than pre-rinsing to save wasting energy and water.”
GO OFF PEAK
Gwill says: “If you’re drying clothes, try doing it overnight during off-peak energy hours and add a dry towel to the load to speed up drying time.”
HIGH TECH
Sarah Heaps, refrigeration expert at AO, says: “Consider a fridge with smart tech. It can track expiry dates and even show you what’s inside without opening the door, helping you plan meals and reduce unnecessary purchases.”
IDEAL FRIDGE SETTINGS
Sarah says: “New research from AO revealed that the average UK household loses around £1,000 a year in food waste. To combat this, start by setting your fridge temperature to between 3–5°C to keep food fresh and avoid bacterial growth.”
JUST MOVE IT
Caroline says: “Make sure your radiators are not obstructed by large pieces of furniture being placed directly in front of them. This can make a noticeable difference to both your comfort and your energy bills.”
KNOW YOUR USE-BY DATES
Sarah says: “Use fridge-safe boxes to separate fruits and vegetables. Some produce, like apples, emit gas which can cause other items to spoil faster, so keeping them apart helps extend shelf life. Also, don’t forget the ‘first in, first out’ rule: rotate older items to the front so they’re used before newer ones.”
LOWER THE TEMPERATURE
Gwill says: “Wash your clothes at 30 or 40 degrees. Lower temperatures use less energy for each wash meaning you’ll save money every time you pop your washing machine on.”
MEAT ON BOTTOM SHELF
Sarah Heaps says: “Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge to prevent cross-contamination, and use clear containers to group similar items together so you can easily see what needs using up.”
