Lack of laundry knowledge could be costing Brit households £165 more per year with 74% not fully understanding the symbols on clothing labels, says a study by Smart Energy GB, a not-for-profit campaign.
- Not just bills, this lack of knowledge is taking a toll on wardrobes too with over a third (34%) admitting that they have ruined clothes by not following the garment washing recommendations with wool revealed as the most common fabric (29%) Brits have accidentally damaged in the wash.
The CAMPAIGN: The Smart Energy GB is a not-for-profit campaign helping Britain understand the importance of smart meters and their benefits to people and the environment, reaching homes and small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales.
THE FINDINGS: Probing into Britain’s most common washing routines shows that:
- The washing woes are impacting energy bills, with 40% of the nation looking for ways to be more energy efficient when doing their laundry.
- Brits are creatures of habit, with a third (32%) always using the fastest spin speed.
- A further 29% never choose a cool wash despite temperature being the main energy drainer for washing machines.
- When it comes to laundry know-how, 32% believe there are too many laundry label symbols to understand, and a fifth (20%) have abandoned reading washing labels altogether.
- 34% admit to ruining clothes due to not following washing instructions.
- The nation is stuck in a laundry ‘safety zone’ with 42% of households only using two settings on their machine.
- Among smart meter owners, 41% said that the in-home display and smart meter had helped specifically when it comes to laundry management and three in five (60%) of households say their smart meter’s display has been integral to monitoring their energy use at home.
- Almost 40% of Brits are actively looking for ways to be more energy efficient and over three-quarters (79%) are searching for tips and hacks on how they can reduce their household finances.
- When seeking advice, data shows over half of Brits (57%) are choosing to rely on the internet for support, while 32% of those under the age of 25 would ask a parent or guardian how to wash specific clothes before even considering the labels.
In response to the nationwide laundry label confusion, Smart Energy GB has partnered with style advisor Susannah Constantine to reimagine traditional laundry labels, and Energy Saving Trust to provide useful tips, tricks and hacks to help households wash their clothes more efficiently, saving energy and reducing their bills this summer.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Our research has found that lots of households repeatedly use the same washing settings and could be missing out on ways to reduce their energy use and save money. Tracking your energy usage with a smart meter and in-home display is the best way to see how small changes to your washing routine can benefit your bills. So, we want to arm households with a few simple tricks to be more efficient with their laundry, to help everyone better manage their bills.
— Victoria Bacon
Director
Smart Energy
For many people summer is their favourite time of the year but with children off school, families going on holidays, having BBQs or picnics and spending more time out and about, it often means more washing! And it doesn’t help matters that the symbols on laundry labels are so confusing that often we don’t look at them at all. That’s why I’m teaming up with Smart Energy GB to help the nation better manage their laundry habits and energy use, one load at a time, and reduce household bills.
— Susannah Constantine
Style Advisor
