Top 5 Tips When Buying A Green Washing Machine

Should you? Buy a new washing machine that is.washing machine cycles run at 60 degrees, with A
On average, each washing machine in the UKbeing the most energy efficient at 60 degrees
carries out 270 cycles per year according toand G being the least efficient. As most of us
research carried out by the University of Oxford'swash at 40 degrees and are being encouraged to
Environmental Change Institute (ECI), leaving onlylower this even further to 30 and even 20
95 days out 365 free from the whir of laundrydegrees by washing powder manufacturers, take
appliances per household. It's unsurprising then thatthese energy labels as just one of the ways you
washing machine repair is such big business but itchoose a washing machine.
is still often economically preferable than buying a2. Remember that reliability is just an important a
new one.factor as energy efficiency –washing machine
Washing machines are notoriously energy hungryrepairs can be a more cost efficient option than
and with the average washing machine garglingsimply throwing your old one away and is worth
between 40 and 60 litres of water per cyclelooking into when you consider the cost not only
according to and Which?, they're pretty thirstyto you but to the environment of disposing of the
too.old one. There are lots of comparison articles
So, is the UK Government ensuring that enoughonline and customer reviews online that will guide
has been done to address these energyyou in the right direction.
consumption issues? After all, most consumers3. When you consider the costs of replacing a
would want the opportunity to do their bit for thewashing machine, consider the impact disposing of
environment but would unlikely be prepared toyour old one can have on the environment. Under
give up their laundry appliance (i.e. washingthe WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic
machine or tumble dryer) altogether even if thereEquipment) Directive, retailers now have a
wasn't a green alternative.responsibility to assist customers in getting rid of
Washing machines have been a feature of thetheir old machine when they buy a new one. This
modern home for the last 40 years at least andwill normally take the form of paying towards the
have become an essential part of western living.cost of recycling it or a collection and recycle
Even in the knowledge that in 2005 ground waterservice.
levels were lower than they've been for 20 years4. Remember that the initial financial outlay of
in the UK and rare plants, birds and wildlife werebuying a new washing machine might be more
dying out as a result, justifying washing all clothesthan you planned but it's worth considering what it
by hand would be nye on impossible. Therefore,could save you in the long run, i.e. per wash and
the only viable solution is to turn the technologyper year. It's often worth investing in a more
we have green.expensive washing machine and giving yourself
Energy consumed by a washing machine dependsthe best chance of having it around for a few
on a number of factors, including cycleyears – remember the reliability tip we gave
temperature (90, 60, 40 degrees etc) and theyou earlier. Buying a well known brand can also
energy rating of the machine. But what shouldbring down the cost of washing machine repairs
you consider when buying a new washing machinetoo.
and should you buy a new one at all or instead5. And finally, keep your eyes peeled for the
look into washing machine repair? Read on to findlatest in green washing machine technology due to
out...be released by the end of this year (2010).
1. While energy efficiency labels can be a goodTechnology developers and chemistry textiles
indicator of a washing machine's performance, thisprofessionals have been working together to
is exactly how they should be viewed – as ancreate a washing machine that uses virtually no
indicator. The A to G ratings that have recentlywater and in which polymer (plastic) beads act as
been introduced are awarded based on tests ofthe cleaning agent.