People are only just realizing what a certain washing machine button is for – and it's a complete game changer.
Tumble dryers are notorious for being one of the most expensive household appliances to run, especially during the winter. But many Brits rely on them because they can't hang clothes to dry outside – and hanging them up inside risks damp, which can create mould.
The average cost to run a tumble dryer is around £200 a year, but there is a way to make sure you won't need to use the energy-guzzling appliance again, thanks to a little-known washing machine button people never use.
One woman took to social media to reveal that the button had saved her lots of money over the years.
The spin at the end of a washing machine cycle reduces the amount of water your clothes retain, meaning they'll take less time to dry. The higher the RPM, or the revolutions per minute, the drier the clothes will be – reducing additional drying time.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, social media user Deanne wrote: “After I have done a load of washing I always put the load on an extra spin to get more water out of the clothes. Will be quicker to dry then.”
The post was in response to Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, who asked Brits for their “best, easiest home energy efficiency tips”.
Another person added: “I love this one, my grandma taught me this one. Very handy if you're putting your clothes on a maiden to dry, knocks about six hours off the drying time.”
This will also reduce the risk of mold, as the clothes won't need to dry for as long.
Several other people replied with their own tips, with one person saying: “Continue to hang your washing outside in the winter when the weather allows. Might only be 80 per cent dry, but that's 80 per cent less energy required in the tumble dryer. “
Previously, two cleaning experts shared their 'life-changing' method to get clothes to dry faster in the tumble dryer, if you can't avoid using it and want to save money.
Purdy Rubin and Charlotte Figg, who own a company selling their own cleaning products, recommended people add a clean, dry towel in with their clothes to help dry them quicker.
Other cleaning fans have suggested using a dehumidifier in front of the clothes airer, as it works well to remove the moisture from the air – meaning the humidity in the room will be less while the clothes are drying.