The Best Time of Day to Use Your Washing Machine, According to Experts

There’s a full basket of dirty clothes, so you throw a load into the washer when you have a spare moment—that's all that has to be considered when it comes to the timing of your laundry routine, right? Or should you be more strategic with the timing of your laundering? Turns out, there might be a more ideal time of day to use your washing machine.

Below, our experts assess factors such as energy and water usage, grid demand, and noise concerns to help you determine what works best for your household.

Energy Factors and Grid Demand

Many electric utilities have time-of-use pricing, meaning that running home appliances during off-peak hours is cheaper. “Consumers should check to see if their utility has such a TOU rate structure,” says Gilbert Michaud, PhD, assistant professor of environmental policy at the School of Environmental Sustainability at Loyola University Chicago. “If so, consider running things like a washing machine in the middle of the night, especially if they are using electric-based hot water.”

Electricity rates are also typically lower on days with mild temperatures, explains Christine Ciavardini, client relationship manager at MD Energy Advisors. “Hot days produce high electric prices, particularly between the hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when electricity demand tends to be high,” she says. 

Water Usage

To ensure responsible water use, choose the appropriate cycle length for the type of laundry. “Heavily soiled clothes, for example, are best suited for a longer wash cycle instead of quick wash,” says Dennis Godynuk, owner of Comfort Appliance Repair TN. Multiple quick cleans are going to consume more water than one longer wash cycle to sufficiently lift stains and odors.

While washers typically use the same amount of water per cycle, regardless of the time of day, timing should still be considered when using the appliance. “Along with electricity demand, there is a similar demand for water,” notes Brooke Stafford, senior services manager and appliance repair expert at Domestic & General. “Using washers outside of peak hours can improve water pressure, helping rinse cycles work more efficiently.” 

This has an added benefit of extending the life of your washer, Stafford adds, as it doesn't have to work as hard to complete a cycle. 

Noise Concerns

For those living in a duplex, townhouse, or apartment, it's not appropriate to run a washing machine at night, regardless of peak hours. “Doing so is noisy and distracting,” Godynuk warns. “Better wash during the day."

Washers run through different cycles each time they are used, and the spin cycle is typically the loudest. “This cycle often makes the machine vibrate, which can travel through walls and disrupt those living in the same space,” Stafford warns. “It's not always within our control, but of course, having your washer away from an adjoining wall with a neighbor or in a separate utility space will help dampen noise. You can also buy washing machine vibration pads to help absorb the sound.”

What the Experts Suggest

Many modern appliances offer "delay start" or "scheduled end" settings, which help reduce energy consumption during peak hours. “Small changes make big differences,” says Kate Colarulli, chief strategy officer at CleanChoice Energy. “Even moving one or two high-energy tasks—like running the washing machine and dryer—to out-of-peak hours can make a noticeable difference over time.”

However, from a noise perspective, running a washing machine at night may not be practical for many, as this is when folks are trying to sleep. “Therefore, mid-morning or early afternoon—like 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.—may be a way to check all of the boxes in terms of TOU pricing, along with grid, water, and noise concerns,” says Michaud. “In essence, trying to shift away from peak hours—around 7 a.m. or 6 p.m.—is a good move.”