Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
Laundry seems like a never-ending chore with the endless cycle of washing, drying and folding clothes, bedding, blankets and more.
We put our dirty laundry into the basket each day and then into the washing machine each week. And the cycle continues.
Stop! We need to consider that laundry has an effect on our environment with the amount of water consumed, electricity used, and the types of products we use. One study shows that the average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year consuming about 13,500 gallons of water.
Here are some eco-friendly laundry tips to help reduce the impact on the environment and save money.
Do laundry during energy-saving hours - Running your washing appliances, especially your dryer, can draw quite a bit of hydro. Many electricity service providers offer discount hours during non-peak hours, which is typically late in the evening during weekdays and on weekends. Doing your laundry during off-peak hours can save on the environment and your pocketbook.
Hang your laundry to dry - During the warmer months, and if you have space, try hanging your wet laundry outside to dry. If you live in an apartment, have a small space, or during the winter months, set up a drying rack to hang your clothes. This will reduce the need to use the dryer and is an eco-friendly option.
Choose environmentally friendly laundry products - There are more eco-friendly options now than ever, producing better quality and competitive pricing. Look for washing machine solutions that are chemical-free, including liquid or laundry strips. For the dryer, go without the fabric sheets and choose reusable laundry balls, or nothing at all.
Wear your clothes more than once! Levi Strauss & Co. say to wash your jeans every 10 times you wear them and to spot clean when necessary. It saves wear and tear on your clothes and the environment. Clothing, such as sweaters, sweatshirts, skirts, and jackets, can typically be worn more than once.
Use cold water - Many washing detergents are designed to be used in cold water. Be selective and only run loads using warm-cold for those whites or heavily soiled fabrics.
Run larger loads- It takes almost the same amount of time to run a large load as a small load. If you need to do a small load of laundry, consider washing them by hand. Often it is undergarments where you don’t need to run a full load and want them to be washed separately on a delicate cycle. These are ideal for hand-washing.
Use energy-efficient washing or drying machines - Before purchasing a washing machine or dryer, do your research to see what energy-efficient ratings they have. As an example, Energy Star provides a guide on how to select energy saving appliances.