What one wash costs in water

Short answer: A modern machine uses between forty and sixty litres of water per wash. That is roughly one bath, and a full machine uses the same as a half load. So the most efficient approach is to fill the drum and only use an extra rinse when needed.

Usage depends on the machine

Older machines use up to a hundred litres per wash, while new ones stay under fifty. The gap is large, and the age of your machine matters more than many think. That applies whether you wash the range for women or towels. If you do not know your machine's usage, it is often in the manual.

A full machine is most efficient

Water use is almost the same however much is in the drum. A half load uses nearly as much water as a full one. So fill it before you start, also when you wash a bamboo sweatshirt for women. Collect laundry for a couple of extra days if that is what it takes.

Extra rinses cost water

An extra rinse adds ten to fifteen litres to each wash. It makes sense when there really is detergent left in the clothes, but many people have it on out of habit. Use it only when needed, also for bamboo joggers for women. Using a little less detergent often helps more.

A bath for comparison

One wash uses about as much water as a bath. That makes the figure easier to picture. It is not much for a full machine with a week of clothes, but it adds up quickly if you run half empty loads several times a week. The number of washes is what counts.

Short programmes

A short programme uses a little less water, but the difference is modest. That is not where the big saving lies. Choose the programme based on how dirty the clothes are and what the fabric can take, and focus on filling the machine if you want to use less water.

Less detergent, fewer rinses

If you use too much detergent, residue stays in the clothes, and an extra rinse becomes tempting. Dose according to water hardness and how dirty the clothes are. Then they come out clean with one rinse, and you save both detergent and the ten to fifteen litres an extra rinse costs.

Air instead of wash

Not everything needs the machine after one wear. An outer layer that has not been against your skin can often be aired and worn again. That means fewer washes and less water. The innermost layer, on the other hand, should be washed after use, since it has taken up sweat.

The sum of small choices

Water use in laundry comes down to a few things: the age of the machine, how full it is and whether you add rinses. Fill the drum, skip the extra rinse when there is no detergent left and air what does not need washing. That way you get the most out of every litre.

Frequently asked questions

How much water does a full machine use

Forty to sixty litres in a modern machine. A half load uses almost the same, so it pays to fill the drum before you start.

Does a short programme use less water

A little less, but the difference is modest. Filling the machine and skipping the extra rinse when there is no detergent residue does more.

What does the water cost

In Denmark about fifty øre per wash including drainage. It is not much per load, but the number of washes decides the total.