Washing machines might be one of the staples of any modern home, but there are more than a few things to know before you get started with using yours.
This is especially true with state-of-the-art washing machines, like those in the Hoover range. While these appliances are easy to use, it’s always good to know what different advanced features do for your laundry so you can make the absolute most out of your machine.
So without further ado, let’s explore some tips on how to use your washing machine:
How to save time when doing the laundry
Doing the laundry takes up valuable time and you might not enjoy doing it all that much, so we’ve put together some handy tips for how you can save some time while running your washing in your washing machine:
Choose shorter cycles
On many washing machines, including those in the Hoover range, you’ll find a lot of flexibility when it comes to setting your own time and cycles. That means, you can choose to operate a shorter wash for your clothes if they aren’t all that dirty. If you’ve got the right laundry detergent and you don’t overfill your washing machine drum, a quick wash should be fine for most clothes.
Save your clothes for larger loads
If you use your washing machine to wash loads that aren’t full then you’re possibly giving yourself far more work than you need, especially when it comes to hanging it all out to dry at the end. You should always save up your clothes for a larger load and do it all in one go. Be careful though; don’t overfill your washing machine or you’ll risk damaging your clothes and the machine itself.
Always keep your detergent stocked
There’s nothing more annoying than when you’re all set to get your laundry done but you’ve run out of detergent and softener. So you should always keep a good stock ready to go so that you don’t have to head out to the nearest shop to fill up and go. Keep it all in one place, ideally near the washing machine so that you’re always ready to go.
How to save energy when doing the laundry
Whether you’re concerned about your environmental impact or you want to save a bit of money when doing your laundry cycle, there are a number of different ways you can save energy and electricity when you do your washing.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Go with cold water
We might be conditioned to wash our clothes with warm or hot water, but the truth is, most clothes – unless they’re very dirty – can do just as well being washed on colder water. This also takes up far less energy because the water doesn’t need to be heated up – so you can save a lot on the energy you use.
Don’t overuse the dryer
Tumble dryers are excellent appliances, and very handy for getting things dry more quickly, but you don’t always need to use them. Keep them set aside for times when you need clean clothes in a hurry, but for most of the time, you can just hang your laundry out to dry – either on the clothes line outside or on a drying rack.
Choose a shorter cycle
Modern washing machines have a range of cycles you can use, and many are shorter than others. By choosing a shorter cycle, you’re asking your appliance to use both less water and less energy to keep running when you don’t need it to. Have a look at your machine and see what different controls you can use to bring down run times on your appliance.
How to protect your clothes in the washing machine
Modern washing machines have different features to keep your clothes protected as they go round – but there are some things you can do yourself, such as:
- Don’t overstuff the drum. Too much clothes can cause garments to get trapped in the door and in the drum so you’ll want to make sure you can see space at the top of your laundry.
- Use the right detergent. Different detergents are great for some clothing but can be ruinous for others. Always check the label.
- Don’t mix clothes. You should never mix colours with whites because if you do, the colours can run and cause discolouration on both sides.
Why you should consider a Hoover machine
At Hoover, we’ve put together a comprehensive range of washing machines that are perfect for the contemporary home.
Packed with modern features like the Eco-Power Inverter Motor to extend lifespan and a drum that adjusts water according to drum load, you have everything you need to keep on top of your laundry work.
Find out more about our complete range here.
