Although the following tips are simple, they have the power to transform our planet as well as your energy bills!
Here are 7 eco-friendly tips to help make this chore more sustainable.
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Use Cold Water When You Can
Heating up water alone often accounts for up to 90 percent of the energy needed to run a cycle. So, in order to be more environmentally friendly, think about using cold water. Not only will you be helping the planet, but your electricity bill will likely be lower also.
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Only Run Full Loads
It’s said that a full-size washing machine uses around 20 gallons of water per load, while an energy star-certified washer uses around 14. No matter which type of washing machine you have, that’s still a lot of water (especially if you’re only washing a few clothes.)
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Wash Clothes When They’re Actually Dirty
Washing hardly worn clothes creates more laundry and more work than necessary. You may want to be a little more conscious of how often you’re cleaning them. It is said that jeans and pyjamas can often be worn three or four times before washing!
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Choose an Eco-Friendly Detergent
Many harsh chemicals such as dyes, chlorine, phosphates, and harsh enzymes (like cellulase) are all common ingredients in many commercial products. Not only can they be harmful to the environment, but they can also irritate sensitive skin and damage your clothes.
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Air-Dry Your Clothes
Hot summer days are the perfect time to air-dry clothes instead of using your dryer. Retractable clothes lines are surprisingly budget friendly. This method is much more sustainable and leaves your clothes smelling incredibly fresh. Not only this but the sun can also help bleach out stubborn stains!
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Use an Eco-friendly washing machine
On top of reducing the frequency of your washes, you may want to switch to a more energy-conscious washing machine. Not only are they better for the environment but machines that have been designed to run on less energy will have lower costs in the long-term.
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Keep clothes in eco-friendly laundry hampers
All those clothes need to be stored somewhere until they’re washed. Unfortunately, most laundry hampers on the market are made of plastic and other synthetic materials.
Getting a plastic-free hamper is a great choice. Hampers made of combinations of fabric and natural or untreated wood are often sturdier and longer lasting.
Thank you for reading and happy washing!
