In your laundry

Around 15 to 20% of the water used in the home is in the laundry. Your washing machine also uses a large amount of energy and detergent.

1. Hot water system and pipes

   • Make sure your hot water pipes are insulated, as this saves water and energy.
      
   • Check that your hot water system thermostat isn't set too high – if you need to add cold water to cool very hot water, you're wasting water. New hot water systems allow you to specify the temperature without adding cold water.
      
   • Install a plumbing device that allows the cold water to be recirculated until it warms up.

2. Taps

   • If you have a leaking tap, replace the washer or other components as required. A dripping tap can waste 30 to 200 litres of water a day, and up to 12,000 litres a year. A running tap uses about 16 litres of water a minute.
      
   • Don’t over-tighten taps. It can wear the washer and cause leaks.
      
   • Make sure all new taps are water efficient by checking the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme star rating.
      
   • In sinks, it's best to install separate hot and cold taps. Mixer-type taps are usually left in the middle position, which wastes warm water. Each time the tap is run to collect cold water, hot water is drawn off and left to cool in the pipe without ever being used.
      
   • If you need to run a tap to get warm water, collect it to water plants, rinse dishes or wash fruit and vegetables.
      
   • For more information on taps, visit our check for leaks page.
      
   • Fit flow-controlled aerators to your taps – they are inexpensive and can reduce water flow by 50%. Check out our simple how-to video.
      

3. Washing machines

   • It's best to use your washing machine when you have a full load – it will save 10 litres of water each wash.
      
   • If you're not washing a full load, adjust the water level to suit the size of your washing – some new water-efficient models will do this automatically. Use cold water to save energy – in most cases, it won't compromise the quality of the wash.
      
   • If you have several loads to wash, use the sud-saver option (if your machine has one). Pre-treat any stains on your clothing before loading them into your machine.
      
   • Before you buy a new washing machine, check the WELS (National Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) water-efficiency label – the more stars, the more water-efficient the product. The label indicates the machine's water consumption in litres for each cold and warm wash. A rinse performance test is built into the rating, so you know your clothes will come out clean.
      
   • To minimise your total running costs, select a model within your budget that is high in both water and energy efficiency.
      
   • Choose a water-efficient front-loading washing machine.

4. Front-loading washing machines

   If you're in the market for a new washing machine, front loaders perform better than top loaders. Front loaders are more water and energy-efficient, and they also treat fabrics more gently.

   If you want to buy a top loader in preference to a front loader, look for a model with at least three water-efficiency stars and an adjustable water level. This will enable you to reduce the water used with smaller loads.

   Front loader vs top loader

   Performance	Front loaders typically rank better than top loaders.
   Washing	Front loaders are gentler on clothes. They have higher spin speeds, resulting in less moisture in the clothes on completion. This shortens drying time and minimises the use of a tumble dryer. In terms of dirt removal or rinse performance, neither type of machine has an advantage, but front loaders offer more temperature and wash options.
   Water and energy saving	Front loaders use up to 70% less water than top loaders. In some cases, they can save up to 36,000 litres per year for a typical household. They also use less detergent and less energy if you wash with warm or hot water. This reduces greenhouse gases, making front loaders more environmentally friendly than top loaders.
   Loading clothes	Front loaders are usually positioned on the ground, requiring you to bend down to load and unload the machine. To avoid having to bend down, place the front loader on a purpose-built cabinet or stand.
   Space	Front loaders are very effective space savers. A dryer can easily be mounted on top of the machine without interfering with its operation.
   Adding clothes mid-cycle	Until recently, most front loaders could not be opened once the cycle had started. However, some newer models have overcome this problem. Washing can be added to top loaders at any point in the cycle.
   Time to wash	Front loaders generally take longer to complete a cycle than top loaders, sometimes up to 40 minutes more.

Smart Approved WaterMark

We're working with Smart Approved WaterMark to provide information on water-efficient products and services.

Products and services awarded the Mark have been independently assessed by the Smart Approved WaterMark panel to help you save money and water.

Smart Approved WaterMark is managed by The Water Conservancy, a not-for-profit advisory hub. To find out more, visit smartwateradvice.org.