Save energy when washing bedding: Tips that really work

Anyone who regularly washes bedding will notice it on their electricity bill sooner or later: washing and, above all, drying are among the most energy-intensive household tasks. Yet surprisingly much energy can be saved when washing bedding without compromising its condition – on the contrary: gentler cycles are often even better for the fibres and colours. We show you which adjustments you can make.

Choose a lower temperature whenever possible

Heating the water is the biggest energy consumer when washing. A 60 °C cycle uses significantly more electricity than one at 40 °C or 30 °C. For most types of bedding, a lower temperature is perfectly adequate, provided there is no special hygiene requirement, such as illness in the household. We explain in detail when which temperature makes sense and when 60 °C is actually necessary in our guide Washing Bedding: 30, 40 or 60 Degrees – Which Temperature Is Right?. As a rule of thumb: reducing the temperature by just 10 to 20 degrees saves a noticeable amount of energy – and over the course of a year with several linen changes, that really adds up.

Fibres that handle lower temperatures well

Not all bedding is equally suited to lower washing temperatures. Our TENCEL bedding, for example, can be washed at 40 °C, making it a good choice if you want to save energy when washing bedding without compromising on cleanliness: the moisture-regulating TENCEL fibre deprives bacteria and dust mites of their means of survival anyway, so a gentler wash cycle is sufficient. You can read more about this fibre and its interaction with dust mites in our article TENCEL Against Dust Mites: Moisture Management Explained. You can find our complete TENCEL collection with excellent value for money at TENCEL Bedding.

A Full Drum Instead of Half-Empty Loads

A second, often underestimated factor: how full the washing machine is. Replacing two half-full loads with one full load not only saves water and detergent but also energy – after all, the machine's base energy consumption for heating and driving only occurs once instead of twice. In practice, this means: wait to do the laundry until the duvet cover, pillowcase and fitted sheet together make up a full load, rather than washing individual items separately. You can find out which detergent is particularly suitable for bedding in our post Detergent for Bedding: Which Is the Right One?.

Drying: the biggest energy consumer in the laundry cycle

While washing itself uses energy, the tumble dryer usually consumes significantly more. Drying bedding in the air instead of in the dryer saves the most energy here – and at the same time protects the fibres, as drum friction puts more strain on the material over time. Not every type of linen and not every living situation allows for air drying, so we have compared the advantages and disadvantages of both options: Drying Bedding: Dryer or Clothesline?. Even a combination – for example, pre-drying in the air and only a short final dry in the dryer – noticeably reduces energy consumption.

Original quality that lasts longer

One aspect of saving energy is often overlooked: bedding that withstands many wash cycles undamaged needs to be replaced less often – this saves not only energy in the long term, but also resources during manufacturing. As a manufacturer with a tradition dating back to 1932, biberna offers original quality directly at a historically attractive price-performance ratio, because retail stores have often replaced high-quality products with cheap alternatives. Whether classic biberna, easy-care percale or TENCEL – in our main category Bedding, you can find an overview of all qualities, delivered free of charge with no minimum order value.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature should I wash bedding to save energy?
For most everyday situations, 30 to 40 °C is sufficient. Only when there is a special hygiene requirement, such as illness in the household, are 60 °C advisable. You can find more details in our guide on the correct washing temperature.

Does a full washing machine really save energy?
Yes. The base energy consumption for heating the water and driving the machine only occurs once with a full load, instead of multiple times with several half-full loads. Washing bedding together instead of piece by piece is therefore more energy-efficient.

What saves more energy: a lower washing temperature or avoiding the dryer?
The dryer is usually the bigger energy consumer in the entire laundry cycle. In addition to a lower washing temperature, switching to air drying or shortening the drying time will achieve the greatest overall savings.