An expert has disclosed that a common washing machine blunder could be costing people time and money. By rectifying the mistake, households could potentially save nearly 40% on their running costs. The advice was issued by Which? on the consumer champion’s social media. A TikTok post asked: “Are you using your washing machine wrong?” The experts explained: “Cotton programmes are generally designed to wash at hotter temperatures, making them ideal for sturdy fabrics like towels, jeans, and bed sheets. But our tests show washing at 30掳C will still remove everyday stains and can save you nearly 40% on running costs, compared with washing at 40掳C.” They continued: “Synthetics or easy care: these generally run at lower temperatures, 40掳C or below, and spin less frequently to protect the fabrics. They’re designed for non-cotton items like clothes made from polyester and viscose. “Wool and delicates: they have minimum drum rotation during the wash, similar to synthetics, but make sure you read the care label first, as some clothes recommend you never wash them in a machine, even on a delicate cycle. Quick wash settings can be as short as 15 minutes. These are good for either small loads or lightly soiled clothes if you’re in a hurry. “Some machines only let you wash 1.5 kg of clothes at once, which is equivalent to two pairs of jeans. Other machines have a full load quick wash option, so you can fill the drum, but these are usually only for lightly soiled clothes. Extra spin: use the extra spin cycle to squeeze out more water so your laundry comes out less soggy and dries way quicker. Great if you can’t dry outdoors or don’t have a tumble dryer.” Nonetheless, people may still want to select a higher temperature for certain washes. The Which? website explains: “Lower temperatures will be fine for everyday cleaning, but a 40掳C wash will be better for tougher stains.” That said, lowering the temperature of a few weekly washing loads could quickly rack up savings for households. The experts say: “Washing at 30掳C uses 38% less energy than washing at 40掳C, so you make a substantial saving on your bill and help the planet. More than a quarter of Which? members regularly use a 30掳C program. It’s the recommended setting for a lot of delicate clothes, such as wool and silk. Always check the label, though.” They also shared a tip for people who usually clean their bedding and towels at 50掳C or 60掳C. “You might be washing at 60掳C because you’ve heard it kills bacteria, but the temperature on its own doesn’t. Some bacterial spores and viruses are resistant to washing at 60掳C,” the advice said. “You need to combine your 60掳C wash with a good detergent to blast that bacteria. You’re likely better off choosing a good detergent, treating stains and washing at 40掳C to get a great clean that doesn’t cost a lot to run.”