AIBU to ask if anyone uses the eco washing cycle

[Giddykiddy]

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

Our eco cycle has a reduce time option...

The whole point of the Eco cycle is that it soaks the clothes more and uses less power, even though it lasts longer. The quick wash is shorter but more powerful.

Our eco cycle uses less energy because it soaks the clothes for longer instead of moving them about. So uses less energy and probably less wear on the clothes.

I don't use it often though because I usually put on washes in the evening and don't want to wait 3 hours to hang it up!

Only in a proper heatwave. It takes over 3hrs.
For 51 weeks a year I need it washed in an hour and drying on the line.

I use it. Not sure what it saves though

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.

I do. I looked it up for my machine - the eco cycle uses less water and less electricity, so I just wash overnight on the timer and hang up to dry in the morning.

I use quicker washes if I need to, but generally eco at 40 is fine. It was breezy here today, so I put one wash on the line first thing, and another around lunchtime today.

I used to as if theyre true the money saving stats were crazy.
I now work from home and don't want to listen to it for 4 hours.

I don’t. I’ve got better things to do than wait for an overlong washing cycle. 🤷‍♀️

Yes I always use it. I wfh most of the week so there's no rush for the washing to be ready.

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 do. I put it on the timer to finish at about 8am so it starts early.

You’re doing four loads a day?! Big family presumably!

I probably do 4-5 washes a week. Me, DH, two teenagers (plus pets so blankets and throws need fairly regular washes).

4 loads a day plus time dryer? That's a lot!! I use eco every wash and dry on clothes horse or line. Probably on wash daily and ideally I do as pp, put it on late and hang out in morning. However, there are only 4 of us.

Yes but it's mainly just for ds's bedding.

Radio 4 had an interesting program on this a few weeks ago

I think it was this one
BBC Sounds - Podcasts

No just 2 of us at home - I just wash once a week - bedclothes, towels, lights and darks. Been into the utility about 5 times - not much soaking and loads of revolving going on. I'm going to try it again next week and properly monitor the soaking - honestly J do have a life!!

I thought that was more for tumble driers, although it does make sense.

Yes unless I'm in a hurry.

Well to answer your original question of course it's more economical, the clues in the name 😂

Does driving your car with the pedal to the metal, braking and review use more fuel than doing the same drive at a steady 55mph?

Yes its the only cycle I use. I put it on when I get up and it's dome by the time I get back from the school run/dog walk ready to be hung up

I use it for everything but woolens. I put it on when I get up about 6:30 and it’s ready to hang out by 9:15. If I’m doing more than one load I can get another load on the line around lunchtime. I’m retired though so this works for me

I don't use the eco cycle on my current machine because I've found that it makes my clothes really creased!

There are two of you and you do 4 loads a day?! You could surely cut back massively on that plus your dryer bills.

Yes most days if I only have one wash to do. It goes on around 6/7am. If I’ve got more or it really is the kids just chucking stuff in the wash after wearing it a few hours I use the quick wash and reduce the time so it’s only 18 minutes.

No. Ours (Siemens) soaks the clothes for that long in dirty water that they come out smelling damp and unclean. It's the third Siemens I've had, the othet two were faultless, on this there isn't program that is both convenient or cleans properly. No prewash either 😡 All supposed to be so eco efficient, yet I use more electricity trying to work round its failings.
I do use the eco program on the dishwasher overnight, it's long but cleans fine, although obviously I'm risking my house burning down!