Wash & save - how you could save £201 a year on doing the laundry

The Great British Sunday is undergoing a quiet revolution — not in the pub or at the park, but in the laundry room.

Cash-conscious families are transforming their day of rest into a full-blown ‘laundry day’ in a bid to take advantage of energy suppliers’ schemes offering free or half-price electricity — and potentially save up to £201 a year.

The schemes, promoted by major suppliers including British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF, encourage households to shift electricity use to quieter times of the week, typically Sundays.

Research by Uswitch.com, the energy comparison site, has revealed that households doing up to eight washing and drying loads during free energy windows can enjoy substantial savings.

Pensioner Ria Oldroyd, 76, from Kessingland, Suffolk, is among those embracing what has been dubbed ‘Soapy Sunday’.

“I accumulate my washing through the week to get done as much as possible during the five-hour slot – and I can just about get four washes in,” she said.

“I don’t usually use the tumble dryer because it’s expensive, but I do during those half-price hours. The savings make a real difference and it could go towards something like putting the heating on.

“Sundays used to be a day for going out and visiting, but now I’m at home getting the most out of my free energy window. A scheme like this is really helpful for saving on bills. Everything has gone up in price, so you have to be much more mindful of how you’re taking care of your money.”

With some suppliers offering up to 16 hours of free electricity a week, consumers can comfortably fit in five washing loads and five drying cycles — enough to cover most family needs. Given that washing machines and tumble dryers are among the most power-hungry appliances in the home, the potential savings are not to be sniffed at.

But despite the growing popularity of these schemes, awareness remains low. One in seven households (14%) have never heard of them, according to the Uswitch poll.

Nearly half of respondents (49%) said they would consider cancelling social plans to take advantage of discounted electricity, while almost a quarter (23%) would swap a pub trip for a budget-friendly laundry session.

Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “Suppliers are offering these free and half-price schemes to help move electricity use away from peak times to those points in the week when everyone’s using less energy.

“Schemes like these will become increasingly important as the country shifts towards using more renewable energy like wind and solar.

“Washing machines and tumble dryers are some of the most energy-intensive appliances in the house, so they’re perfectly suited to free and half-price electricity schemes.

“By saving up your laundry and tackling it during a free or lower-priced time, households can save significant amounts of money.

“You will need a working smart meter to take advantage of schemes like this and each scheme is unique, so check your supplier’s website if you’re interested.”

The Uswitch research includes a rundown of current offers from major suppliers. British Gas runs its PeakSave scheme, offering half-price electricity on Sundays from 11am to 4pm.

EDF’s Sunday Saver Challenge provides up to 16 hours of free power each Sunday, while Octopus and OVO Energy also offer flexible free-electricity sessions for smart meter users.

Uswitch is advising consumers to check their supplier’s website to see what’s available, and to consider other savings, such as using eco settings and comparing fixed-rate energy deals.

So while for some, Sunday still means roast dinners and a pint down the local, for a growing number of frugal families, it’s fast becoming a day of rinse, spin — and save.