Laundry is something we all must deal with on a constant basis. Whether you’re a parent washing clothes for a large family, a student living alone, or anyone in between, you definitely interact with the laundry process. Over time, traditional methods of doing laundry can have a significant environmental impact. However, with a few subtle changes, you can easily switch to an eco-friendly approach to your laundry routine.
Eco-friendly laundry means reducing water waste, cutting power use, and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. Considering that the average household washes approximately 300 loads of laundry annually, the potential environmental impact of your small changes is immense.
Using Energy-Efficient Appliances
Start your eco-friendly laundry journey right with energy-efficient appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that about 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes to heat the water, and washers that are more than 10 years old may not be energy-efficient. Hence, switching to a high-efficiency or energy star-certified washing machine can reduce energy consumption by 25% and water usage by 33%.
Dryers, too, have energy-efficient models, which use advanced auto-drying functions and significantly better insulation. They also come with a cool-down setting that takes advantage of the remaining heat for the final drying phase. This feature can result in up to 20% energy saving.
Washing Full Loads, In Cold Water
When doing your laundry, try and wait until you have a full load to run. Washing machines use roughly the same amount of energy whether they’re washing one shirt or a full load of clothes, so maximizing the load size can help save water and power.
One of the biggest ways to save energy in the laundry routine is by switching to cold water washes. Heating the water accounts for approximately 90% of a washing machine’s energy use. Cold water is just as effective at cleaning your clothes, and it helps to preserve the color and quality of your clothing.
Air-Drying Your Clothes
When possible, skip the dryer and air-dry your clothes, either on a line or a drying rack. Dryers are one of the most energy-intensive household appliances. By air drying, you eliminate virtually all energy use from your laundry routine – other than what’s used to operate the washing machine.
Using Eco-Friendly Detergents
Many conventional laundry detergents are petroleum-based and contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both your health and the environment. These can find their way into water bodies, affecting marine life.
Instead, look for plant-based laundry detergents, which biodegrade much more quickly and are generally safer for both the environment and you. Choose products labeled as phosphate-free and made from bio-based instead of petroleum-based ingredients.
Reconsidering Fabric Softeners
Avoid using fabric softener as much as possible—these products often contain harmful ingredients that can get into the water supply.
Vinegar is a more natural fabric softener, which can be used in place of conventional softeners. Besides softening fabric, vinegar can also reduce static and help keep washing machine and hoses clean by reducing soap build up.
Recycling Water
Another eco-friendly laundry method is reusing the final rinse water from your washing machine. This water is relatively clean and can be used for the initial wash of your next batch of laundry. This method can save several gallons of water every laundry session.
Making Your Own Laundry Detergent
If you want to take another step in eco-friendly laundry, you can make your own laundry detergent. It only requires a few ingredients, such as soap, Borax, and washing soda. This way, you know exactly what’s going into your detergent, and you can ensure its environmental friendliness while saving money in the long-term.
Switching to Eco-Friendly Fabric Choices
Consider choosing eco-friendly clothing made from organic materials. Synthetic fibers tend to shed microplastics during washing, which can then enter the waterways. In contrast, natural fabrics like cotton, hemp, or bamboo are more sustainable and do not contribute to plastic pollution.
Doing laundry the eco-friendly way is not only beneficial to the environment but can also save you money. Small changes, like washing in cold water, using an energy-efficient appliance, washing full loads, switching to safe cleaning products, and air-drying can make a big difference.
While it may feel like these changes will not make much of a difference, if everyone managed to adjust their laundry habits just a little, the compounded impact would be huge. So start your eco-friendly laundry journey and contribute to a better, greener world.
