Washing machine, throw in 1 tablespoon: save a lot of electricity

Washing Machine Hack: Throw in 1 Tablespoon to Save a Lot of Electricity

Doing laundry can be a time-consuming and costly task, especially when it comes to energy consumption. If you’ve ever felt like your electricity bill spikes just from running the washing machine, you’re not alone! However, there’s a simple and surprisingly effective trick that can help reduce your energy usage and save you money on your electricity bill: throwing in just one tablespoon of a certain household ingredient.

Yes, you read that correctly! This little hack is simple, low-cost, and efficient, but what exactly is this miracle ingredient? In this article, we’ll explain the secret to saving electricity when you do your laundry and how you can implement this hack to start saving energy right away.

The Secret Ingredient: Baking Soda

Baking soda is the unsung hero of many household cleaning tasks, and it turns out, it has another fantastic benefit when it comes to laundry. By adding just one tablespoon of baking soda to your washing machine, you can help boost its efficiency, reduce the need for hot water, and save electricity over time.

How Does Baking Soda Help Save Electricity?

Baking soda acts as a water softener, which means it helps to break down minerals in hard water. Hard water can make laundry detergents less effective, leading to more detergent being used and possibly hotter water temperatures to get your clothes clean. Here’s how adding baking soda to your laundry routine helps you cut down on electricity use:

1. Helps Detergent Work More Effectively

When baking soda softens the water, it allows your detergent to dissolve and work better. This means you don’t need as much detergent or as much hot water to clean your clothes effectively, reducing both your detergent costs and electricity consumption.

2. Allows for Cooler Wash Cycles

Washing clothes in hot water is one of the main energy drainers when it comes to laundry. Hot water requires a lot of energy to heat up, which significantly increases your electricity bill. Baking soda helps improve cleaning performance even in cooler water temperatures, allowing you to wash your clothes on a cold or warm cycle rather than hot. Washing in cold water reduces your electricity use since your washing machine doesn’t have to work as hard to heat up the water.

3. Prevents Soap Scum and Residue Buildup

Baking soda also helps prevent soap scum and residue buildup in your washing machine, which can lead to inefficient washing over time. This residue can cause the machine to run less efficiently and may even require more energy to get clothes clean. By adding a tablespoon of baking soda, you ensure that your washing machine stays clean, which helps it maintain its efficiency and reduces the likelihood of needing longer, more energy-consuming cycles.

4. Faster Drying Time

By helping to break down residue and mineral buildup in the fabric, baking soda can also help clothes dry faster. Less soap and residue means that your clothes will absorb less water, and as a result, they’ll dry more quickly. This can help reduce the time your dryer runs, saving even more energy.

How to Use Baking Soda in Your Washing Machine

Using baking soda in your laundry routine is incredibly simple:

1. Load your laundry into the washing machine as usual.
2. Add your regular detergent according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda directly into the drum along with your laundry. You can sprinkle it over the clothes or add it to the detergent drawer if your washing machine has one.
4. Select your wash cycle: You can use a cold or warm water cycle to take full advantage of the energy savings.
5. Run the cycle as usual, and enjoy cleaner clothes with reduced energy consumption!

Additional Tips to Save More Energy While Doing Laundry

In addition to using baking soda, here are some more tip