Water use per wash
Short answer: A modern washing machine typically uses 40 to 60 litres of water per wash. A half-full machine uses almost the same as a full one, so it pays to fill the drum properly. Wash only what is actually dirty, and save water without compromising on clean clothes.
What a wash uses in water
A modern machine uses 40 to 60 litres per wash, depending on model and programme. The number changes with the load and with how many rinses the machine does. It helps to know the scale so you can judge whether your own habits are sensible. If you use the machine daily, every wash counts.
Older and newer machines
A machine from before 2010 typically uses 60 to 80 litres per wash. A new one uses 40 to 50. The difference is large if you wash often, and it adds up quickly over a year. If your machine is old, a new one may be worth considering when it needs replacing anyway. Otherwise the main thing is to use it well.
The gentle programme uses the most
The gentle programme uses the most water because it rinses more to get detergent out of the delicate fabric. That is good for bamboo fabric and other soft clothes, where detergent residue can make them stiff. Use it sensibly, though, and only for clothes that really need it. See bamboo clothing for women.
Why it pays to fill up
The machine measures the weight of the clothes, but it cannot turn the water all the way down. A half-full machine uses roughly eighty percent of the water of a full one. So you get very little back for washing half loads. Collect the clothes until the machine is full and you save water, electricity and time across the week.
How to fill it properly
Fill the drum so you can lay a flat hand on top of the clothes. When the drum is packed, clothes have no room to get clean and the detergent rinses out poorly. When it is nearly empty, you waste water. Aim for a good balance. See bamboo T-shirts for men, which wash well in a shared load.
Wash only what is dirty
The cheapest water is the water you do not use. Many garments can be worn once more before they need the machine, and bamboo clothing can often be aired between wears. Wash what is actually dirty and let the rest hang. That saves water and spares the fibres, so clothes last longer. See also bamboo towels.
Does the short programme use less water?
The short programme often uses a little less water, but it also washes worse on the same dirt. If the clothes are only lightly worn, it can be fine. If they are properly dirty, you end up washing again and have saved nothing. Choose the programme by how dirty the clothes are, not by speed alone.
What does a wash cost in water?
The water itself costs only a small amount per wash. The electricity for heating typically costs more, so a low temperature saves more than focusing on the water alone. Bamboo clothing often washes well at 30 to 40 degrees, which combines a low price with gentle care of the fibres in the clothes.
Extra rinse and sensitive skin
An extra rinse uses ten to fifteen litres of water. It can be worth it if you have sensitive skin and want to be sure the detergent is rinsed out well. If clothes cause you discomfort, talk to your doctor. In many cases an extra rinse is a pragmatic solution that costs a little water but gives peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
What does a wash cost in water?
Only a small amount. The electricity for heating typically costs more than the water itself, so a low temperature often saves more than cutting the amount of water alone.
Does the short programme use less water?
Often a little less, but it also washes worse on the same dirt. If the clothes are only lightly worn it can work well, but with real dirt you may end up washing twice.
Does an extra rinse use a lot of water?
Ten to fifteen litres. It can be worth it for sensitive skin if you want to be sure the detergent is rinsed out, but talk to your doctor if you have discomfort.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
