Ahh, the smell of fresh, just cleaned clothes and sheets. While clean laundry may be sweet to our noses, the process that goes into washing and drying our laundry takes a toll on the environment. The average household does about 400 loads of laundry annually. That’s approximately 13,500 gallons of water. There’s no need to despair (or pull on those smelly socks from last Tuesday), because there are numerous steps you can take to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly.
People who dislike doing laundry can rejoice, because the first step you can take to be green is to do less laundry. Don’t toss that shirt or pair of pants into your hamper after you’ve only wore it once, if you haven’t gotten it dirty or broken out in a sweat while wearing it. (It’s still best to stick to the one day-rule for socks and undergarments). Wait until you’ve accumulated at least a full load’s worth of laundry, to conserve water and energy.
If you own a washer, consider replacing your older model with a newer, more energy-efficient one. Older, top-loading machines use about 40 gallons of water, compared to newer front-loading Energy Star washers that use about 18 to 25 gallons of water. Even if you’re not in the market for a new washer, or if you use a laundromat, or if you use the machines provided by a landlord, there are changes you can make with the washers currently at your disposal.
First, use the cold water setting. Washers use approximately 90 percent of their energy heating water. Many detergents are now formulated to work with cold water, so your laundry should be just as clean, which brings us to the second green move you can make with your washer. Trade conventional detergents for a more eco-friendly brand, that isn’t petroleum based, and that doesn’t contain phosphates, dyes or artificial fragrances. And hold that fabric softener! Substitute a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle for fabric softener. It will make your clothes soft and eliminate any chemical residue. Detergents and softeners with natural ingredients tend to be gentler on fabrics, which makes them longer-lasting and gentler on the skin.
Instead of tossing everything in the dryer, consider hanging your clothes out to dry, either on a line or a dryer rack. Naturally drying your clothes cuts down on energy use, and is also gentler on the clothing itself. When you do use a dryer, clean the lint filter, as that increases energy efficiency and shortens drying time. Newer dryer models often have a moisture sensor option, which means that the dryer will shorten the drying time if it senses that the load is already dry, so use this setting if available. And as good as those dryer sheets might smell, they contain chemicals toxic to humans and the environment. As a healthier substitute, put in a cloth drawstring bag filled with dried fragrant herbs or flowers (lavender is very nice), or a cloth with a few drops of fragrant essential oil.
By adopting some or all of these easy steps, you can ensure that your laundry habits are good for you, for your clothes and for the environment. What more could you ask for than clean and green when it comes to laundry?
Source: BecauseAction.com
