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If there is one single electrical household appliance that has revolutionised domestic life, it is, without a shadow of a doubt, the washing machine. Its arrival in Spain signalled the end of the tough old days of hand washing that took up so much of our grandmothersï¿½ time and energy. Nowadays, 90 out of every 100 Spanish homes has a washing machine, an irreplaceable household appliance that helps all Spanish families of four members wash between 700 and 800 kilos of clothing each year practically without effort. However, the washing machine is an appliance that should be used with care as its environmental impact is comparable to that of the fridge (21%) and the TV (12%) in terms of energy consumption.

Energy saving washing machines
Modern washing machines are far superior to those first appliances of the 1960s. They wash better, take better care of the clothing and are more silent. And, above all, they use far less electricity and less water. But there are many to choose from, which is why you should take into account the machineï¿½s energy consumption before buying one. Since 1992, manufacturers have needed to display a tag that rates the washing machine according to its energy efficiency on a scale of A (the highest, in green) to G (the lowest, in brown). A class A washing machine uses up 0.85 kW/h (0.078 euros) per washing cycle at 60 degrees, while a class D appliance uses up 4.99 kW/h (0.450 euros) to carry out the same task. A lot of energy and a lot of expense for the ten years (3,000 cycles) that a washing machine lasts.

Some 14% of the water used in the home is taken up by the washing machine, so that its water consumption should also be taken into account when it comes to choosing. In this instance, you should take great care as the number that appears on the energy consumption tag might mean nothing to you. Some current models use between 9 and 12 litres as opposed to the 18-20 litres that conventional models use. Also, it is vital to buy a machine that uses as little water as possible in a country where this resource is scarce and given that 90% of a washing machineï¿½s energy is taken up heating the water. Hence, there are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used to wash clothes: wash in cold water and use less water.

This is why it is so important for the machines to have such options as half load or economic cycles, where the appliance works with less water. For this reason, the washing machines that use so-called fuzzy logic technology are so efficient. This function allows the machines to take intelligent decisions during the wash: they adapt the amount of water used to the quantity and type of clothing, resulting in a saving of water and electricity. This is also why bithermal washing machines, with their combination of hot and cold water taps, are highly recommended in terms of energy consumption. Also, front-loading washing machines are more economic in that they use up less energy and water than top-loading machines.

- Always fill up your washing machine to capacity. The appliance uses up practically the same amount of water and energy when it is full as when it is half empty. Even if it has fuzzy logic, one full wash is always better than two energy-saving ones.

- Divide your clothing by its colour, material and dirtiness. White, cotton and very dirty clothing need higher temperature, more time and more washing powder than colour, synthetic or less dirty clothing.

- Try not to use the 90 degree programme. At this temperature, the machine devours water, electricity and washing powder. Also, the clothing deteriorates faster. It is best to wash in cold water or, if the clothes are very dirty, in warm water. At 40 degrees, the washing machine uses up four times less energy than at 90 degrees, and also less water. Modern washing powders work well at 30 degrees and in cold water. To get rid of difficult stains, several tricks can be tried. If, despite everything, you have to use hot water - to eliminate oily stains, for example - a 60 degree programme uses half as much energy as a 90 degree one.

- You should determine the amount of washing powder used depending on the hardness of the water and never exceed the manufacturerï¿½s recommendations. If you use too much soap, you will increase the environmental damage and may have to rinse the clothing again.

- A centrifuge uses up far less energy than a dryer. If you are buying a new washing machine, choose one with a high speed centrifuge. A 1,200 revolution centrifuge, instead of a 700 one, will reduce the energy consumption by 20%. In any case, it is better to do without the dryer: the sun and wind are free, more economical and donï¿½t ruin the clothing. Take advantage of them and use the spin cycle less frequently, as you will save time and energy when ironing.

- The electric washing machine was invented in 1901 by Alva Fisher, and became popular after WWII. In 1966. Balay launched the first automatic, front-loading designer washing machines that were manufactured entirely in Spain.

- The European Union distinguishes appliances that have little environmental impact with the ecotag. In the case of washing machines, electrical consumption should not exceed 0.17 kW/h per kilo of cotton clothing washed at 60 degrees and the water consumption should be equal to or less than 15 litres per kilo washed.

- The approximately 11 million Spanish homes use the washing machine around 2,960 million times a year. This means a total energy consumption of 1,750 million kW/h at over 1,232 million euros.

Source: Cï¿½digo de Buenas Prï¿½cticas Medioambientales, Instituto Nacional de Consumo/Asociaciï¿½n de Empresas de Detergentes y de Productos de Limpieza, Mantenimiento y Afines (ADELMA), 1999.