Environmental issues Latest Topics

Will Right to Repair Make a Difference?

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:44:43 +0000

I've just published my latest article on Whitegoodshelp. It's my thoughts on the new white goods right to repair law and how sadly, I think it's a wasted opportunity and doesn't fix what needs fixing. The environment is being ruined in big part by the millions of prematurely scrapped white goods. Hopefully it's just a small step with more to come but I can't honestly see how it's going to help much - white goods right to repair

How Is Energy Consumption Measured?

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:38:28 +0000

Hi All,

How are the energy ratings of washing machines calculated?

Are readings taken across a whole cycle? Are they based on consumption of energy per minute?

It struck me that A rated appliances just might not be as efficient as people believe. Yes, they use less electricity at any particular point in time but if they take longer to wash the clothes....

Is washing at 30 degrees really environmentally friendly?

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 15:57:28 +0000

What I'd like to know is - What planet do the idiots that design washing machine software come from?

About the last 5 machines I've had have made me do two separate operations to do a quick wash because for some reason they think that if you only want a low temperature 30 minute wash you should only be able to spin half the water out of the clothes at the end of it.

My current machine's 30' wash has a max spin of 800 rpm - Why?!

It can't be to save energy or time because it just means that I have to wait for it to finish, select a separate 1400 rpm spin cycle, and then wait for that to complete...

It'd probably be 'greener' if I could get hold of a good old fashioned manual one that I actually have control over the settings of.

If anyone knows of a current model washing machine that doesn't treat you like an idiot that doesn't know what they want please let me know...

Should I buy new washing machine to reduce water consumption?

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:53:51 +0000

I have a bosch washer dryer that is 10 years old. Our water is metered, our bills seem quite high. Hoping to see a reduction now that we have a new dryer (only use in wet weather!). I am told that our washing machine will still use lots of water compared to newer machines. Is this correct?

Would it be worth considering buying a new washer to reduce water consumption? I have no idea how much water our current machine uses, but based on our bills, and the fact that we are not extravagant with water, I think the washer is the main culprit. Does anyone know roughly what the water consumption might be on our washer. And does it use less on a short wash cycle? (I use the short wash most often). It has been a good machine, but we bought it before we had a water meter! Has anyone else noticed a significant reduction in water consumption after buying a modern washing machine?

Are washing machines using enough water now?

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:52:19 +0000

I started this thread after my blog article why can't modern washing machines rinse properly? attracted so many comments (almost 600) that it became very slow to load for new users and would take a good few hours for anyone to read them. I'm hoping the hardcore of commenter's will be happy to continue on this topic in this more appropriate place - especially as most recent comments were between a small group of people helping each other. It's great that Washerhelp / Whitegoodshelp can facilitate a small community to discuss issues they have in common. Please feel free to use the forums accordingly.

If you are new to to subject please join in too but try to at least read the article and some of the comments before commenting here if you can.

The basic issue in the article was that the quest by manufacturers and consumers for washing machines to use as little water as possible has gone too far for some. Many people are highly sensitive to detergent and find modern washing machines don't rinse it out properly at all. This appears to be backed up (as mentioned in the article) by Which? reports, which inspired my article in the first place.

Is your washing machine or dishwasher damaging the environment?

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:17:40 +0000

I've been made aware of an important environmental issue related to how washing machines and dishwashers can be "misconnected" to the waste water plumbing and cause environmental damage by allowing detergents to be drained into local rivers.

You could be unwittingly contributing to pollution in your local rivers and streams if someone has made a "mis-connection" at your house in the past. When checking my own connections I found I unfortunately had a misconnection with the washing machine in my garage utility room!

A full article has been published on Whitegoodshelp - How to connect a washing machine properly

Find Your Local Recycling Centre By Postcode

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:06:11 +0000

If you want to help reduce waste from household appliance and would prefer them not to just be scrapped then you may need to try and find your local recycling centre by postcode. try Recyclenow

"Green" Washing Machines Can Be greenwash

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:20:32 +0000

This forum is to discuss environmental and green issues related to washing machines. I’m looking to get things into proper perspective though, and believe green issues shouldn't be blindly given top priority. We need balanced facts and a full picture. It’s perfectly possible for example to buy a more economical washing machine that costs the environment (and the buyer) much more in the long run because of other factors - What is greenwashing? (goes to GreenPeace)
I'm all for “green” washing machines” but wary of companies jumping on the bandwagon and selling poor quality washing machines as environmentally friendly. As far as I can see, the most environmentally friendly washing machine you could buy would be one that lasts a long, long time and doesn't end up in landfill after a few short years - even if it did use more water and energy.
Here's a relevant topic from the main Washerhelp site arguing just that - ECO energy labels and washing machines