Because I am ignorant. Why is a 4 hour Eco wash better than a 1 hr wash?

[Unreasonabubble]

I saw a thread tonight about washing machine times and it made me think. I normally do a 1 hour 40 degree wash for most of my washing. Should I be doing an Eco wash which takes 3 times longer? Does it save me money? Does it clean better? I like to wash and go if that makes sense. I do not understand why I would clog up the washing machine for hours and hours. I would not be able to get all my washing done in a day if that was the case.

Genuinely unaware here so would appreciate your guidance.

I wish they made washing machines with just 2 dials - one for temp & one for time - not 42 different programmes.

We do an eco wash at night and then one before we go to work. Much cheaper and environmentally friendly.

My washer has a bar display to show how eco/electric saving each wash is. The short washes being the worst. I used to use the 4hr eco setting overnight, but it doesn't seem to wash as clean and the washing never smells clean either, so I stick to the normal washes now.

www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/you-should-never-leave-your-15984857

@ReviewingTheSituation

Ironically, the 30min wash will use the most electricity and water- it's the least eco programme there is.

The opposite is true of my Miele machine - the 20 min quick wash uses the least water and the least energy, according to the manual!

This is such a useful thread! Thanks OP.

Now I just need someone to explain my tumble drier and the million possible types of dry…

Baby dry, mid dry, iron dry, extra dry, damp dry (!!!!) or cupboard dry anyone???

I found that my Neff is able to change the timing depending on the washing powder/liquid used. If I use too much the rinse takes longer hence the overall timing increases.

Mine does this too, it's a Siemens (which is the same company as Neff). It has a nice little bubbles icon on the display, if things get too sudsy, which they did when I unintentionally washed a bath mat full of bubble bath 🙈

Interesting thread
Thank you op
Now if I could work out why whatever program I use or whatever spin speed the washing is so creased.

@Standrewsschool enjoy your knob twiddling!

I just do £30 at 30 I really don’t care how eco or expensive it is.

Now I just need someone to explain my tumble drier and the million possible types of dry…

Baby dry, mid dry, iron dry, extra dry, damp dry (!!!!) or cupboard dry anyone???

If it's a Beko, only one setting will actually dry, and even then it might need a few extra minutes.

Adaeasypeeler

Is your spin speed to high? Do you have the option to turn it down? I find the 1400 spin can be a bit creasey.

Do your clothes not all stink at 20/30/40 degrees or are we just particularly sweaty?

@FusionChefGeoff

My manual has a grid showing exactly how much electricity and water is used on each setting.

The eco setting saves A LOT of water and turning the temp down saves a lot of electricity.

DH puts ours on eco overnight then hangs out in the morning.

I would NEVER sleep with the machine on😯

@SusannaM

Now I just need someone to explain my tumble drier and the million possible types of dry…

Baby dry, mid dry, iron dry, extra dry, damp dry (!!!!) or cupboard dry anyone???

If it's a Beko, only one setting will actually dry, and even then it might need a few extra minutes.

Cupboard dry is pathetic on my bosch machine. It is damp.

@RJnomore1

Do your clothes not all stink at 20/30/40 degrees or are we just particularly sweaty?

I wash most things at 30. It's OK.

@SylvanasWindrunner

That screenshot just says they might fail to pay if it was faulty and you knew it was and used it and it caused a fire (like those Whirlpool ones I guess a year or two ago). Nothing about them failing to pay in any other scenario.

This might be clearer. Washing machines and tumble driers are a known fire risk (from all the issues with Whirlpool etc). Many manufacturers have now rewritten the instructions to say that the machines should not be left unattended to cover their backs. From an insurers perspective you have left a machine with a known fire risk and in doing so have failed to abide by the manufacturer's instructions which leaves you very vulnerable to having any claim rejected.

I’m encouraged to try an Eco wash just to see how it goes.

Worth an eco try at least once.

Thanks for posting OP as it has made me rethink.

bet half of the people who claim they look after the environment use quick non eco programs
The energy ratings are based on a 60 degree heavily soiled cotton wash as a comparison between machines , and under the new ratings only a few machines get the top rating.

with the cost of fuel going up, changing to the eco programs will save people a lot of cash , if not their time. even better is cutting down on detergent or getting a machine with an autodose.

The quick wash on mine is for such a small weight of clothes in comparison to a wash on a 'proper' setting that even if it uses less water/energy, by the time you multiply it by the extra loads it would unlikely to be better

I don’t have a regular eco setting, just “eco cotton”, anyone know if that’s suitable for mixed fabrics?

@Djifunrsn

4 hours is ridiculous. People need to get stuff done. Mine all on 1hr.

You know you don't have to sit and watch it whilst it is running 😉

There's nothing in my house insurance about leaving washing machine's unattended. Thankfully as I have ADHD and there's no way I'd ever get any washing done if I had to plan it around it only being on when I am in the house.

I must be gross because the one I use most is a 15 minute wash at either 30 or 40 degrees (for baby onesies, toddler clothes, tops that have been worn once etc, not sheets, towels and really mucky things). It's fine, everything comes out smelling clean. I really CBA waiting hours for a wash to finish as I'd never get through the endless onslaught of laundry otherwise.