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14th Apr 2022

Martin Lewis shares genius washing machine hack to help households survive energy crisis

April Curtin

One money-saver recommended using nettles to make soup

The Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and his trusty followers are back again with yet more tips to keep us going amid rising living costs.

Lewis’s latest advice appears in his new cost of living guide, which he put together to help Brits as life becomes much more expensive.

The guide also includes tricks and tips from his money-saving fans, as Derbyshire Live reports.

Explaining the need for the guide, Lewis said: “On 1 April, the 54% rise in the energy price cap hit 22million homes, a desperate, typical £700/year increase – catastrophic for those with the lowest incomes.

“Yet the pain stretches far further – when combined with all the other price rises, we will see a material drop in the standard of living for most on low to middle incomes.

“For some there is sadly no route to cut expenditure below income; that fix will need political intervention.

“For others, we need a collective endeavour, to work together to take financial pressures off where we can. And that is partly behind this guide.”

And when he put out a Tweet requesting advice from others, money-savers rushed to share their handy tricks.

When it comes to washing and drying clothes, one money-saver said she always keeps an eye on the forecast.

According to The Mirror, @BrylewskaF said: “Watch the weather report. Sun due out, washing goes in the day before”

When asked which washing machine cycle will help save a bit more energy,  replied: @BrylewskaF said: “Rapid works fine and I think is cheaper. Pre-soak big stains in cold water before washing.”

A flask could save you money on your electricity bills (iStock/Peter Berglund)
A flask could save you money on your electricity bills (iStock/Peter Berglund)

And when it comes to hot drinks, one money saver recommended boiling water once and then storing it in a flask, instead of re-boiling every time you want a drink, in a bid to cut down electricity use.

@HeatherHornett said: “Boil water for hot drinks once a day and save the rest in a flask to save electricity.”

The money-saver also suggested that people “forage” wild foods, including nettles, to make soup.

“Forage food (made nettle tagliatelle, nettle and potato soup, dandelion flower jam etc during hard times),” she added.

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