It is part of life-but laundry can be an environmental disaster. From the energy and water used to wash and dry clothes to chemicals in detergents and fabric softeners, traditional laundry practices are environmentally harmful. However with a couple of changes you can alter your laundry routine but still keep cleanliness and convenience intact.
Soapy laundries reduce your environmental footprint, save you money and create a healthier home. Use natural detergents, save water and energy and live green – by changing your laundry routine.
We break down 6 easy methods to make your laundry more environmentally friendly. Choose the right products and appliances, practice sustainable habits and reduce waste to create a green laundry routine. Let’s dive in!
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
Change your laundry detergents to eco-friendly ones – this is among the easiest ways to go green in your clothes. The chemicals in conventional detergents can damage the planet and irritate sensitive skin. Eco-friendly detergents on the other hand contain natural biodegradable ingredients – safer for the earth and your family.
Look for detergents that contain no phosphates sulfates or synthetic fragrances. They can contaminate waterways and damage aquatic life. Look for plant-based detergents and those without artificial additives instead.
Make your own laundry detergent. One recipe is grated castile soap, washing soda and baking soda. All the ingredients should be combined and kept in an airtight container. Use one or two tablespoons per load – depending on load size and soil quality.
You’ll save the earth and create a healthier home with eco-friendly detergents.
2. Clothes Wash in Cold Water
Laundering clothes in cold water is one of the best ways to reduce your laundry‘s environmental impact. Heating water accounts for much of the power used in washing machines, so changing to cold water will conserve electricity and lower your utility bills.
Cold water also is gentler on fabrics – it extends the life of your clothes! It removes dirt and stains when used with a cold water-safe detergent.
Cold water washing tip: Prep stain with natural stain remover like vinegar or baking soda. This will break down tough stains and leave your clothes fresh.
Washing clothes in cold water saves energy, lowers carbon footprint and keeps them looking their best.
3. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
An additional green step is using energy-efficient appliances for your laundry routine. Some older washing machines & dryers are energy hogs – they use a lot of water and electricity. Upgrade to energy-efficient models.
See washing machines marked with the energy STAR label to see if the appliance meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. These machines use less water & energy than standard models and save you money on utility bills.
Less water and higher spin speeds make front-loading washing machines generally more energy efficient than top-loading machines and shorten drying time.
For dryers use a clothesline or drying rack. Air drying clothes is the greenest and extends the life of your fabrics. Using a dryer? Get an energy-efficient model and clean the lint filter often.
Use less energy and water with energy-efficient appliances for a greener laundry routine.
4. Adopt Sustainable Laundry Habits
In addition to using green products and appliances, you must have sustainable laundry habits. Consider some habits:
When possible, wash full loads. A full load of laundry takes less water and energy to run a washing machine than several smaller loads.
Overloading the washing machine reduces cleaning effectiveness and increases wear and tear on clothes.
Use the proper detergent for each load. Too much detergent will leave residue on clothes and in the washer, which will reduce efficiency and require additional rinses.
Turn clothing inside out before washing to avoid fading and pilling. Simple steps that will keep your clothes looking new longer.
With these sustainable habits, you can have a more effective and green laundry routine.
5. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Reduce, reuse and recycle are green principles that you can incorporate into your laundry routine. A few ways to apply these principles:
Wearing clothes more than once before washing helps you do less laundry. Things like jeans, sweaters and outerwear may be worn several times before needing washing.
Use old clothes and linens as cleaning rags, dust cloths or craft materials. This saves waste and extends life of fabrics.
Donate used clothes & textiles to charities or recycling programs. Most organisations accept worn clothes or textiles that are recycled into new products.
You’ll reduce waste by reusing and recycling.
6. Maintain Your Laundry Appliances
Finally, laundry appliances need to be maintained so they last. Keeping your washing machine and dryer in tip top shape:
Launder your washing machine often to remove detergent residue and prevent mold and mildew. Use hot water and one cup vinegar or baking soda on an empty cycle to clean the drum and loosen buildup.
Cleaning your dryer lint filter after each use helps ensure proper airflow and efficiency. A blocked lint filter decreases drying efficiency and energy consumption.
Inspection and cleaning of the dryer vent prevents lint accumulation and fire danger. A clean vent also increases drying efficiency and saves energy.
Maintaining laundry appliances extends their life and reduces your environmental impact as well as your cost.
Conclusion
Change your laundry routine for a greener home. By choosing green detergents, washing clothes in cold water, using energy-efficient appliances, adopting sustainable habits, reducing waste and maintaining your appliances you can make laundry a greener, more sustainable practice.
Conserving water and energy, reducing waste and also extending the lifetime of your garments – these eco-friendly laundry tips can enable you to have a cleaner, healthier house. You’ll save the planet, save money and create a healthier home for your family by following these practices.
This week, when you next do laundry, try making some changes. Take what you learned here and get started on a more sustainable laundry routine.
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