How to Green Your Laundry Routine

These days, it’s especially important to choose eco-friendly and sustainable practices as often as possible. Cleaning around the home, especially related to laundry, is a perfect place to create a more “green” routine. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be a bona-fide green, cleaning expert.

How Laundry Affects Water and Energy Consumption

Laundry uses a significant amount of both water and energy, making it one of the biggest contributors to household consumption. Washing clothes in a typical machine requires anywhere from 40 to 60 litres of water per load, and the more loads you do, the more water you use. This adds up quickly, especially in households that do laundry frequently. Additionally, washing machines consume energy to run, and using hot water increases the electricity or gas needed for each cycle, leading to higher utility bills and a bigger environmental footprint.

On top of that, drying clothes in an electric dryer uses a lot of energy, often more than washing the clothes themselves. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to dry a full load, depending on the size and fabric. This prolonged use of electricity can strain both your wallet and the planet.

Greening Your Laundry: Easy Ways to Save Water and Energy

Ditch the Chemicals

Opt for homemade solutions or more natural products. The internet is a mecca for homemade detergent recipes. Just google “homemade detergent” and you’ll get hundreds of websites and blogs with different recipes and reviews. Experiment with one until you find a keeper. An added bonus is that the main ingredients are so cheap that the average cost per load is around $.05, that’s 1/5 the cost of commercial brands.

For fabric softener, add ½ cup of white vinegar to your loads. I could write an entire article just on the benefits of using white vinegar in the wash. I’ll save you from the boring details and just sum it up; it brightens, whitens, softens, disinfects, reduces static and fights stains. When you use white vinegar in the wash you do NOT need to use any other softener. Just like homemade detergent it is way cheaper than commercial products

Stains can be removed with various home remedies. What you use will depend on the stain. I like to use a mixture of 1 part baking soda, 1 part white vinegar, and 1 part hot water. This will form a paste that can be applied to most stains.

Air or Hang Dry More Items

It’s estimated that dryers account for 5.8% of your household’s energy usage. That’s more than any other appliance in your home. You can easily lower your energy consumption by using a drying rack during the cold seasons and line dry in the spring/summer.

Aside from the environmental benefits it is also better for your clothes. Agitation from the dryer is harsh on fabrics and the heat can cause static cling. Air-drying your clothes allows the moisture to naturally dissipate and clothes keep their shape longer when they are not spin-dried. I’ve also heard from many people who line dry that the sun acts as bleach to their whites. One more laundry product you can drop!

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Wear it More Than Once

While certain items such as underwear, gym clothes, socks need to be washed after each wear… other items can wait to be tossed into the hamper. Jeans are great example of this. Denim is meant to be extremely durable and actually fit BETTER with several wears between washing. Frequent washing causes the denim to lose its form-fitting quality and will fade out the color over time. Wash your jeans only after they’ve been worn a 8-12 of times (or when they are soiled with dirt or mud). Between washes, hang in the closet to air out and spot clean small stains when needed and hang Other items that should be re-worn multiple times include sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts, and pajamas. Of course use your judgement…if it’s stinky or has stains, it’s hamper time.

Wash on Cold

Most of your energy usage in the laundry process comes from heating up the water (90%!). Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always necessary to wash everything on hot. And sometimes the heat can even be a detriment. Heat can wreak havoc on many types of clothing. It can cause dyes to bleed out and break down the integrity of fabrics. Only wash 1 out of every 5 loads in hot water. Whenever possible, wash the majority of your laundry with cool or tap temp water.

Only Wash Full Loads

Washing only a half load is a waste of water and electricity. Make sure you are loading your washer up to 3/4 full. For more specific load capacity recommendations, be sure to consult your washer’s user manual.

Choosing eco-friendly laundry products

Choosing eco-friendly laundry products helps reduce the environmental impact of washing clothes.There are several brands that offers natural and sustainable alternatives to traditional laundry detergents. For example, Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day provide plant-based detergents that are free from harmful chemicals like phosphates and chlorine bleach. Another popular brand, ECOS, makes laundry detergents using renewable resources and is certified as biodegradable. These eco-friendly products are not only better for the environment but are also gentle on your skin, making them a great choice for families. By switching to these types of products, you can help reduce water pollution and lessen your carbon footprint.

Conclusion

Greening your laundry routine is a simple yet effective way to reduce your environmental impact. By making small changes, like using eco-friendly detergents, washing in cold water, and air-drying clothes, you can save water, energy, and reduce waste. These mindful choices not only help protect the planet but also contribute to lower utility bills and longer-lasting clothes. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can enjoy fresh, clean laundry while doing your part to create a more sustainable future.

Ready to be Laundry-Free?

Lyndsee Onstott

Lyndsee Onstott is the Marketing Manager at Laundry Care, with a deep-rooted history as one of the company’s original care providers. Her journey from hands-on laundry care to strategic marketing gives her unique insights into the service and its customers. Lyndsee's commitment to delivering convenience and quality has helped Laundry Care become a trusted service for busy professionals and families nationwide. Today, she combines her firsthand experience with a passion for customer-focused marketing, ensuring that Laundry Care meets the evolving needs of its clients.