Tumble Drying with a Conscience: Energy-Saving Tips and Eco-Friendly Hacks

Tumble Drying with a Conscience: Energy-Saving Tips and Eco-Friendly Hacks

At Bio-D, we’ve always encouraged low-impact living, from promoting cold washes and line drying, to offering concentrated, refillable cleaning products. And for good reason: small changes add up. That’s why, until now, we haven’t talked much about tumble dryers. Quite simply, they’re one of the most energy-demanding appliances in the home.

In fact, tumble dryers can use more than twice as much electricity as a standard washing machine. They’re quick, yes, but not very kind to the planet.

That said, we understand real life isn’t always ideal. In colder months, small spaces, or time-sensitive situations, many people rely on tumble dryers out of necessity. So rather than ignoring their existence altogether, we believe it’s more helpful to offer ways to reduce their impact and even repurpose some of your Bio-D favourites along the way.

Here’s our guide to tumble drying with a little more eco-awareness, including clever energy-saving tricks, DIY hacks, and how to use our products more creatively.

Why We’re Cautious About Tumble Dryers

Let’s start with the facts. Tumble dryers are one of the least energy-efficient appliances in most homes. Depending on the model and load, they can consume between 2.5–4.5 kWh per cycle — that’s the equivalent of running your washing machine multiple times or leaving dozens of LED lights on for hours.

In the UK, tumble dryers account for an estimated 4–6% of household electricity use, and because most homes still rely on a fossil-fuel-heavy energy grid, that usage has a carbon cost. The takeaway? Drying clothes naturally is always the better environmental choice, whenever it’s practical to do so.

But we also know that:

• Not everyone has outdoor space or reliable access to a clothesline.
• Air drying indoors isn’t always feasible, especially in damp or poorly ventilated homes.
• For families with lots of laundry, a tumble dryer is sometimes just the only option.

So rather than judge, we want to help.

Smarter, Lower-Impact Tumble Drying: 6 Eco Tips

If you’re going to tumble dry, here are six practical ways to make it less demanding on your energy bill and the environment.

1. Spin Before You Dry

Use your washing machine’s highest spin cycle (check your fabrics first) to extract as much water as possible before clothes hit the dryer. The drier the load, the shorter the cycle.

2. Dry Full Loads — But Not Overstuffed

Running your dryer for small loads is inefficient. Aim to dry a full load, but make sure there’s still room for clothes to move freely, this helps them dry faster and more evenly.

3. Add a Dry Towel

One of the simplest tricks? Toss in a clean, dry towel with your wet laundry. It absorbs moisture and helps reduce drying time by up to 30% in some cases.

4. Use the Right Settings

If your dryer has a moisture sensor or “eco” setting, use it. Timed drying often runs longer than needed. For mixed loads, try separating heavier items (like towels and jeans) from lighter garments to dry more efficiently.

5. Toss in a Couple of Ice Cubes

Need to reduce wrinkles in cottons or linens? Throw a couple of ice cubes into the dryer on high heat for 5–10 minutes. The steam effect helps relax creases, so you may not need to iron at all, saving even more energy.

6. Clean the Filter (Every Time)

A clogged lint filter forces your dryer to work harder and longer. Clean it after every use to keep things running efficiently and reduce fire risk, too.

DIY Dryer Sheets Using Bio-D Fabric Conditioner

Conventional dryer sheets are single-use, synthetic, and often contain artificial fragrances or coating agents that aren’t kind to skin or the environment.

But here’s a greener alternative using our Bio-D Fabric Conditioner:

What You’ll Need:

• A clean jar or container
• 1 part Bio-D Fabric Conditioner
• 4 parts water
• Small pieces of cotton towel or clean sponges

Method:

1. Mix the fabric conditioner and water in the jar.
2. Add your fabric pieces or sponges and soak them in the mixture.
3. Squeeze out excess liquid and let them air dry.
4. When needed, toss one into the tumble dryer with your load.

Each reusable sheet will give your laundry a natural softness and gentle fragrance, using only plant-based ingredients. When they start to lose effectiveness, just repeat the process.

Should We All Stop Using Tumble Dryers?

In an ideal world, yes. But we know that real homes need realistic solutions. Not everyone can air-dry year-round, and sustainability isn’t about all-or-nothing thinking.

Instead, it’s about finding ways to minimise harm while still meeting your needs. So, if you use a tumble dryer occasionally (or even regularly), the key is to use it smarter, with less waste and more intention.

And when you pair these hacks with sustainable laundry products, like concentrated detergent refills and 20L Closed Loop container returns, your impact becomes even lighter.

Progress, Not Perfection

At Bio-D, we don’t advocate for perfection. We advocate for progress that’s accessible to everyone. That’s why we focus on honest sustainability, from product packaging and sourcing to how we talk about laundry, cleaning, and daily living.

If you rely on a tumble dryer, you’re not failing the planet, but there’s almost always room to reduce energy use and make greener choices. And we hope these tips help you do just that.

Looking for More Sustainable Laundry Tips?

Explore our blog for advice on low temperature washing, natural stain removal, and eco-friendly fabric care. Or try our range of plant-based laundry products, proven to work, designed with care.

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