Octopus, E.ON, and experts recommend '10pm rule' from October 1 to UK homeowners

Octopus, E.ON, and experts recommend '10pm rule' from October 1 to UK homeowners An expert has shared a tip that could help cut your energy bills when using your washing machine An expert is urging UK households to adopt a specific habit over the coming months to help slash their energy bills. His advice mirrors guidance already issued by energy suppliers, including Octopus and E.ON. The energy price cap is set to rise by a further 4% on October 1, 2026, meaning bills are heading upwards, and countless Brits will be on the lookout for ways to trim costs. Washing machines are known for using a lot of energy, so it's well worth making small adjustments to your weekly laundry routine to meaningfully reduce your overall energy bill this autumn and winter. Laundry expert Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, is recommending that households run their washing machines at night. He explains that certain times of day can cause your energy bills to spike when using a washing machine or tumble dryer, as heightened demand can push electricity prices higher, depending on your tariff. According to Dimitrov, the costliest time to wash or dry your clothes falls between 4pm and 7pm. "Try to avoid using your machines during these hours, if possible," he said. Offering a "handy" tip for cutting costs, Deyan suggests using your washing machine's time-delay setting, which lets you programme exactly when a cycle begins. Loading your machine in the evening and setting it to run in the early hours of the morning could make a considerable dent in your electricity costs, he added, reports Wales Online. "Energy prices are lowest between 10pm and 5am". Consequently, Deyan encourages UK households to stick to this 10pm-5am rule to minimise costs when running energy-hungry appliances, such as washing machines, amid the price cap increase. Do Octopus and E.ON say the same thing? The '10pm rule' Deyan references aligns closely with guidance Octopus and E.ON provide on their websites. In its 'off-peak hours' blog post, Octopus states: "Laundry after 10pm: Run your washer and dryer during off-peak hours. Most machines have a delay-start option - set it and forget it." In a separate blog post on E.ON's website, titled: "When is the cheapest time to use your washing machine?", the energy provider outlines "how to cut your laundry bills". It states: "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." Regarding tumble dryers, Deyan notes: "If you need to dry your clothes during the day, the timing of your tumble drying cycles can also help save you money. Switching loads while the dryer is still warm from its previous cycle can conserve the remaining heat inside the dryer for your next load of clothes. This can help shorten drying time, as the machine won't need to work as hard to dry your clothes." Do colder cycles cost less? Deyan also recommends opting for a cold cycle, claiming: "The colder the cycle, the better". He suggests that washing clothes at lower temperatures for shorter periods can significantly boost your machine's energy efficiency – a 30 degree cycle can slash your washing machine's energy consumption by half, compared to a 40-60 degree cycle. He added: "It's more cost-effective to save your hot washes for any bedding, towels and sportswear, as these items are most likely to host a multitude of bacteria. For even further savings, use the eco setting on your washing machine, if it has one. "When it comes to drying your laundry, it's also more efficient if you run a cooler cycle. Even if this means it'll take longer to dry your laundry, your overall energy consumption will be much lower and you'll also be less likely to over-dry your clothes. If your clothes come out warm to touch, they've been in for too long." Should you use bio or non-bio? For those looking to switch to cooler washing temperatures, Deyan advises purchasing bio capsules or bio laundry detergent, as they contain enzymes that can be activated at lower temperatures than non-bio alternatives. "These detergents will be better at breaking down your clothing's dirt and stains during a colder wash," he said. "There are even detergents specifically for cold water washes. However, it's worth noting that non-bio detergents are better for sensitive skin, as they contain less harsh enzymes." Why is maintaining your machine important? To keep your washing machine in top condition, the energy expert recommends cleaning it every three months. He said: "Pour two cups of white vinegar into your machine’s detergent drawer, and run your machine on its hottest cycle. "After the first run, add half a cup of baking soda directly into the basin and run a hot cycle again. Alternatively, running a hot cycle with a limescale removing product is just as effective. This can help to get rid of any build-up that could affect the performance of your machine, to keep it working efficiently for as long as possible. "For your dryer, remember to regularly clean its lint filter for maximum efficiency, ideally after each cycle. A lot of lint and hair can accumulate from just one load, which can hinder your machine from properly drying big and dense items. " Does filling washing machines with the right loads matter? Deyan says: "It's much more efficient to do a large load of laundry rather than lots of smaller ones, so make sure you fill your machine with a suitable load. An overfilled washing machine may not wash your laundry thoroughly enough, and an overpacked dryer can take too long to dry your clothing. "A good way to ensure that your machine will run as efficiently as possible is to check if you can still touch the top of the basin after filling either machine with your laundry. If you can't fit your hand in and amongst your clothing, the machine is overpacked. Also, make sure to untangle your laundry before putting it in the washing machine or dryer, as smaller items could become stuck or wrapped up in larger items, (such as duvet covers or pillow cases) which can prevent them from getting properly washed or dried." Is it worth investing in dryer balls and air drying? "Adding wool or rubber dryer balls to your dryer during a cycle, will help to separate your clothes and increase their exposure to airflow, which can overall reduce drying time and the length at which your dryer needs to run for, saving you energy. Wool balls can even soak up some of the moisture in your machine and cut down drying time even more," Deyan said. "Your tumble dryer uses the most energy out of all standard household cleaning appliances, so, if possible, drying your clothes on a drying rack in front of a radiator would be much more energy efficient. Equally, you could make the most of any crisp and sunny weather this autumn and hang your laundry outside, as outdoor breezes are great for drying clothes."