5 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips to Slash £350 Off Energy Bills
5 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips: Spring is in full force, meaning now is the perfect time to refresh your home, but overlooking certain steps when cleaning household appliances could quietly increase energy costs.
With UK energy bills forecast to rise again in July 2026, The Eco Experts’ Deputy Editor Max Schwerdtfeger has highlighted five free and simple spring cleaning tips that if actioned, could help UK households cut £350 off their annual energy bills:
- Electric oven: Keep it clean to avoid energy over-use
An electric oven is the most expensive household appliance to run. The Eco Experts have estimated its annual running cost is £383.66, and uses about 1,456 kWh of electricity per year.
Max suggests: “When spring cleaning your home, be sure to keep your oven well maintained and regularly clean, this will help it to run more efficiently over time, meaning it won’t need to work harder when cooking and waste unnecessary amounts of energy”.
- Tumble dryer: Ensure the lint and evaporator are clean
Tumble dryers are another high-cost home appliance, estimated to cost £246.64 per UK household annually, and they use 936 kWh of electricity each year, according to The Eco Experts.
Max advises: “When refreshing your tumble dryer, ensure the lint and evaporator filters are cleaned, as they can force the appliance to work harder and use more electricity if clogged”.
- Dishwasher: Keep the machine clear of food scraps
Dishwashers typically cost households around £164.42 a year to run, with efficiency often affected by everyday habits. The Eco Experts have estimated that a dishwasher will also use about 624 kWh of electricity annually.
Max says that “when cleaning your dishwasher, it’s important to keep the machine clear of food scraps to prevent limescale build-up and maintain good performance from your appliance”.
- Fridge freezer: clean the back, check the seals & airflow
Having a fridge freezer can cost UK households up to £72.46 annually to run, and can use 275 kWh of electricity each year. Poor upkeep can make it more expensive to run than necessary.
“Remember to clean the back of the fridge, check the seals regularly and make sure there is enough airflow around it, as restricted ventilation can force the appliance to work harder to cool itself and use more energy”, Max advises.
- Washing machine: clean the filter regularly
Washing machines are estimated to cost around £65.77 a year to run, but the cost can vary depending on a household’s habits.This appliance can also use 249.6 kWh of electricity annually.
Max suggests “an occasional hot wash without putting any clothes in and cleaning the filter regularly can help prevent build-up and keep the machine running efficiently”.
