Ever hooked up a brand new washing machine only to find it takes more than 3 hours just to finish a single cycle? It’s a surprisingly common problem. And it can be especially frustrating. When you buy a shiny new washing machine model you obviously expect it to be far more powerful, and to finish washing your laundry at lightning-fast speeds.

The reason why new washing machines seem to work at a slower pace is actually because they are equipped with “Eco” modes, which are automatically activated as soon as you turn them on. But why exactly does eco-wash take more than 3 hours to finish? Would it not be more eco-friendly to spend less time washing?

If you’ve ever been frustrated at lengthy eco-wash modes on kitchen appliances, this is the article for you. We’re going to find out what benefits a slower washing machine cycle could ever possibly offer you!

Why Does An Eco-Wash Take 3 Hours?

It might seem a little annoying to have to wait 3 hours for your washing machine to finish its job. However, it’s the “slow-and-steady” approach that helps to make the eco-wash mode so effective.

Eco-wash uses much less electricity, which makes it great for the environment, and for reducing energy bills. In order to do this, the washing machine lowers the temperature of the water. Cooler water needs more time to get to work, to really clean your clothes. In order to facilitate this, the washing machine takes a leisurely 3 hours to get the job done.

Eco-wash is able to significantly lower the energy use of your washing machine. In order to do this, the water temperature is lowered, and the spin speed is slowed down. It might take longer, but it’s worth the wait!

By taking longer, the washing machine is also able to spin at a much slower speed, which also lowers energy use. Modern dishwashers also have this eco-friendly energy efficient feature.

Does An Eco-Wash Really Save Electricity?

Absolutely. If you’re desperate to find a way to reduce your washing machine’s energy consumption, then eco-wash was built for you. Much of the electricity used by a washing machine is directed toward heating up the water and keeping the drum spinning. By taking more time, your washing machine is able to reduce the amount of electricity it uses.

Does An Eco-Wash Really Save Money?

In turn, because an eco-wash uses less electricity, it also helps to save you plenty of money. Eco-wash reduces the energy consumption of your washing machine by more than 50%. This means that with the clever use of an eco-wash, you can easily reduce the cost of running your washing machine by half.

How Much Does It Cost To Run A Washing Machine For 1 Hour?

This will depend on the temperature of the water. If you are washing clothes at a higher temperature, then it will cost much more. This is because more energy is needed to heat the water up. It will also depend on the size of the washing machine. Naturally, a larger washing machine will cost much more to power.

On average, you can expect to spend around 30 pence per cycle. Of course, this price will depend on the factors we discussed above.

Can You Wash Everything With Eco-Wash?

One of the key factors of eco-wash is the fact that it lowers the temperature of the water. Lower water temperatures need more time to be effective at cleaning your clothes. However, lower temperatures are completely limited when it comes to cleaning highly soiled products.

Eco mode is recommended for use when washing your average laundry load. In order to clean heavily soiled clothing, you will need to make use of much higher temperatures. Only at higher temperatures will bacteria and viruses be killed off.

Eco-wash is intended for standard laundry loads. If you’re planning to clean very dirty clothing, then you will need to raise the temperature of the water. Higher temperatures are more effective at killing bacteria and viruses.

As such, if you are washing heavily used items like socks or underwear, we’d recommend washing them in a separate group, at a higher temperature. This ensures that they stay sanitary.

Does Eco-Wash Clean Clothes Properly?

Absolutely! Eco-wash might wash your clothes at a lower temperature, but it does so highly effectively. By taking the time to allow the cooler water to do its job, eco-wash is able to provide a clean similar to what you’d expect from a standard cycle.

Again, eco-wash should only be reserved for standard laundry loads. If you’re hoping to wash heavily soiled clothing, you’ll need to raise the water temperature!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does An Eco-Wash Take 3 Hours?

Eco-wash is designed to use less electricity. To cut down on energy use, the temperature of the water is lowered. Water at a lower temperature will need slightly more time to get the job done. By allowing 3 hours to get the job done, your washing machine is able to make the most of every drop of water.

Is It Normal For A Washing Machine To Take 3 Hours?

If your washing machine is set to eco-wash mode, then it’s totally normal for the washing cycle to take 3 hours to finish. Eco-wash lowers the water temperature. Water at a lower temperature takes longer to clean your clothes. If your washing machine is set to perform a standard wash, then it would be unusual for it to take 3 hours. A standard wash should usually take no longer than 1 hour unless otherwise stated.

Is A Quick Wash Better Than An Eco Wash?

In terms of energy consumption, eco-wash mode is far more efficient than quick-wash mode. Quick wash actually consumes more power than a standard cycle. This is because it speeds up the spin speed of the central drum. It also increases the temperature of the water. These both help to increase the speed at which your washing machine cleans!