Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if anyone uses the eco washing cycle

85 replies

Giddykiddy · 24/03/2025 16:36

DH just put on a small load of gently worn dark clothes that really only need a freshen up on the eco cycle which takes 3 hours. I would have washed on the 30 minute quick cycle at 30 or 40 degrees. Surely it can't be more economical to wash for 6 times longer and it must be hard in the clothes. i usually wash tumble gold and put away 4 loads of laundry in a day. Does anyone really use these mad eco cycles that take forever

OP posts:
Catsandcheese · 24/03/2025 19:42

I use the eco setting on my dishwasher every night, I need to check my washing machine to see if it has one.
I do though use long washes nowadays because the powder/capsule does not fully dissolve in the 30 min washes.
ETA - WM doesn't have ECO button but the dryer has. I have never used that

BeSharpBee · 24/03/2025 19:42

VexedofVirginiaWater · 24/03/2025 16:44

I don't want to wait 3 hours plus for it, and I don't want to leave it unattended overnight while I'm asleep - aren't we advised against this anyway as washers and dishwashers can be a fire risk?

I've unfortunately known 2 washing machines to set fire/start the process. Once in a house share (10 years or so ago) where the landlord was less than above board and all facilities were pretty fucked. Housemates clothes were in the machine, fully submerged in water while the fucker was on fire.

More recently, late last year I became aware of a 'gear grinding' smell in the house and found the machine spewing out smoke.

I would never have the machine on over night or while out now. I even don't go upstairs while it's on just in case. But I might have trust issues 😅

Oceangrey · 24/03/2025 19:41

I always use it unless it's a rush job. Comes out fine. Haier brand.

RabbitWeb6 · 24/03/2025 19:37

I use it all the time.

Sinkintotheswamp · 24/03/2025 19:33

My Eco wash creases things too. Most stuff goes on a 40° shirt cycle in this house.

ErrolTheDragon · 24/03/2025 19:28

I use it for bedding and towels, things that also want a high speed spin. I wfh so it’s fine if it takes all morning to wash and then quite a while to dry (heat pump dryer).

Comedycook · 24/03/2025 19:09

No I don't use it. It is over three hours long.

Most lightly worn stuff gets done at 30 degrees on a 30 minute cycle.

Towels and underwear get longer at 40/60...but still I don't use any of the cycles which are anything more than 90 minutes long

My machine also has a 14 minute wash which is a godsend when I remember at 11pm that DC needs a clean school jumper for the next day!

Springbirds · 24/03/2025 19:09

I’ve got a nine hour wash cycle on my new machine. Madness

UndermyShoeJoe · 24/03/2025 19:09

Lookingforwardto2025 · 24/03/2025 19:07

I don't use any cycle shorter than an hour and half and my most used cycle is almost 3 hours. I use the timer to make sure the clothes are ready to hang out when I need them to be so never need to use a quick cycle. Just plan ahead the evening before :)

Wouldn’t work for washing our children’s duvet less duvets. Have to get in straight from them leaving their beds to be out to dry all day long.

LoveItaly · 24/03/2025 19:09

VexedofVirginiaWater · 24/03/2025 16:44

I don't want to wait 3 hours plus for it, and I don't want to leave it unattended overnight while I'm asleep - aren't we advised against this anyway as washers and dishwashers can be a fire risk?

Yes, we are advised not to use them when we are asleep.

Lookingforwardto2025 · 24/03/2025 19:07

I don't use any cycle shorter than an hour and half and my most used cycle is almost 3 hours. I use the timer to make sure the clothes are ready to hang out when I need them to be so never need to use a quick cycle. Just plan ahead the evening before :)

BoldAmberDuck · 24/03/2025 19:05

Giddykiddy · 24/03/2025 17:31

4 loads a week - 4 a day would be mental - though MIL seems to wash daily for her and FIL - she has a myriad of rules about things being washed seperately - that's a whole other convo - I happily put knickers with dishcloths but at 60 degrees - suspect I'm an MN minger

Show quote history

I’m a minger too I mix loads of stuff!

Grammarnut · 24/03/2025 19:04

IkaBaar · 24/03/2025 16:39

If I’m organised I use the eco cycle the night before. I rarely use the quick wash cycle.

The eco cycle should be cheaper and more environmentally friendly. It takes longer as the clothes are left to soak for longer instead of being agitated to get rid of the dirt.

Which is ok as long as nothing runs, I suppose. I tend to use the 'hand wash' or the 'daily wash' on my machine. They both take a couple of hours.

UndermyShoeJoe · 24/03/2025 18:57

Never we tend to have at least two loads a day and no tumble dryer.

B1indEye · 24/03/2025 18:54

Springee · 24/03/2025 18:30

I only ever use quick, super quick or easy care on 'speed perfect' for regular clothing washes - Bosch

I don't like the idea of clothes sitting in water for ages.

I don't have a tumble drier

Whats the concern about the washing being wet for longer?

Springee · 24/03/2025 18:30

I only ever use quick, super quick or easy care on 'speed perfect' for regular clothing washes - Bosch

I don't like the idea of clothes sitting in water for ages.

I don't have a tumble drier

gingercat02 · 24/03/2025 18:20

Always apart from woolies and sports gear. We use Eco on anything that has it. Dishwasher, coffee machine, washing machine.
There are only 3 of us so I'm rarely in a rush

LyndaSnellsSniff · 24/03/2025 18:18

Not often. I find that the washing comes out smelling weird when I use it.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 24/03/2025 18:12

I always use it unless I'm washing something delicate which needs a particular setting. I put it on in the morning on my wfh day before starting work and hang it up in my lunch break.

Someone on here described it as imagine you have a really ingrained stained baking dish that you need to wash up by hand. You can either go hell for leather scrubbing away at it or soak it first for a few hours before (hopefully) gently scrubbing away the stains. It's the same with washing machine cycles. The former will get the job done quicker, but the latter uses less energy and is more efficient despite taking longer in time to complete. It comes down to whether your time or your money is more valuable.

Pfpppl · 24/03/2025 18:10

It's pretty much all we use. Occasionally something goes on a delicate wash, or a sports wash, but generally it all goes on eco.

Gatekeeper · 24/03/2025 18:10

Not impressed with the eco cycle on my machine. It uses so little water that it doesnt seem to get everything properly washed and rinsed

Bologneselove · 24/03/2025 18:07

I always used quick wash but when I changed my energy tariff, I used eco set via timer to come on during the night when electricity is cheaper. Not noticed a lower bill though.

CatCaretaker · 24/03/2025 18:06

It used to be all I ever used, can't remember why I stopped. I'll go back to it. Thanks OP!

Doitrightnow · 24/03/2025 18:04

I do. I have cheaper electricity at night so I set the timer and hang out in the morning.

PosiePetal · 24/03/2025 18:00

I always use it.