As the energy price cap rises by 4% on October 1, 2026, a laundry expert is urging UK households to follow a specific rule to reduce their energy bills. His advice echoes guidance already shared by energy suppliers such as Octopus and E.ON.
Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, recommends running washing machines at night. He says the most expensive time to wash or dry clothes is between 4pm and 7pm, as increased demand can make electricity more expensive depending on the tariff.
The 10pm-5am rule
Deyan suggests using the time-delay setting on washing machines to start cycles in the early hours. He says energy prices are lowest between 10pm and 5am, and urges households to follow this 10pm-5am rule to keep costs down when using energy-guzzling appliances amid the price cap hike.
This advice is similar to what Octopus and E.ON share on their websites. Octopus says in its 'off-peak hours' blog post: "Laundry after 10pm: Run your washer and dryer during off-peak hours. Most machines have a delay-start option - set it and forget it."
E.ON explains "how to cut your laundry bills" in a blog post titled "When is the cheapest time to use your washing machine?" It says: "Run your washing machine during off-peak hours (7pm to 2am) or super off-peak hours (2am to 5am) when electricity costs drop by more than half. Stay clear of the expensive 4pm to 7pm weekday rush hour when grid demand and energy prices are at their highest."
More ways to save on laundry
For tumble dryers, Deyan advises switching loads while the dryer is still warm from its previous cycle to conserve heat and shorten drying time. He also recommends using a cold cycle, noting that a 30 degree cycle can cut a washing machine's energy use in half compared to a 40-60 degree cycle.
He suggests saving hot washes for bedding, towels and sportswear, which are most likely to host bacteria, and using the eco setting on the machine if available. For drying, he says cooler cycles take longer but reduce overall energy consumption and reduce the risk of over-drying.
Detergents and machine loading
If washing at cooler temperatures, Deyan recommends bio capsules or bio laundry detergent, as the enzymes can be activated at lower temperatures than non-bio products. He notes non-bio detergents are better for sensitive skin as they contain less harsh enzymes.
He also advises filling the machine with a suitable load, checking that you can still touch the top of the basin after filling. He says to untangle laundry before washing or drying to prevent smaller items getting stuck in larger ones.
Dryer balls and air drying
Adding wool or rubber dryer balls can separate clothes and increase airflow, reducing drying time and energy use. Wool balls can also soak up moisture and cut drying time further.
Deyan notes that tumble dryers use the most energy of all standard household cleaning appliances. He suggests drying clothes on a rack in front of a radiator or hanging laundry outside in crisp, sunny autumn weather as more energy-efficient alternatives.
