There are many ways all of us can start caring about the planet and reducing our ecological footprint. I will do a series of posts on this subject and the first one has to do with laundry! There’s nothing quite like the smell and feel of freshly cleaned laundry, but there’s a good chance you’re spending more energy, water, and other resources than absolutely necessary to get your clothes clean. Here are a few eco-friendly tips for doing laundry that will help you reduce your ecological footprint.
How often should you wash your clothes?
Not everything in your closet or dresser needs to be washed after you wear it one time. For instance, you can wash your jeans once every two weeks to not only save on water, but also to better maintain the appearance of your jeans. It’s an especially good idea to refrain from washing your shirts and pants after a single wear if you don’t sweat that much. That said, you should most certainly wash your underwear and socks after a single wear.
Eco-Friendly Tips for Doing Laundry
Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
When it is time to do laundry, think twice about washing your items in anything but cold water. Besides conserving energy, which means conserving money, by washing your clothes in cold water, you don’t have to worry as much about your clothes shrinking or fading in the washing machine. Additionally, washing clothes in temperatures that spike above 75 degrees can actually compromise the overall effectiveness of your laundry detergent.
Make Your Own Detergent
It’s easier than you may realize to make your own laundry detergent, both liquid and powder detergent. If you have a bar of soap, some borax, and washing soda, you’ve got everything you need to make your own detergent. You can even add some essential oils to give your homemade detergent a unique scent. You may be shocked at how quick and easy it is to make your own detergent, and by how much money you can save doing so. I am testing a few recipes since after making my own all purpose natural cleaner I am invested in never buying detergent again!
Use an Eco-Friendly Detergent
If making your own laundry detergent just isn’t your thing, you can still opt to buy a more eco-friendly detergent. Specifically, look for detergents that are free of phosphates, biodegradable, and made from vegetable- and plant-based ingredients. Besides going easy on the environment, more eco-friendly detergents are also better for your skin, something that those with sensitive skin or allergies can surely get behind.
Eco-Friendly Tips for Doing Laundry
Change the Way You Use Your Dryer
Once your clothes are washed, pay close attention to how you dry them. A dryer with a clean lint trap operates more efficiently, and you’ll also be doing the environment a favor by making use of your dryer’s moisture sensor, so you don’t use more electricity than necessary. Cutting down on unnecessary drying also means less unnecessary wear and tear on your clothes, allowing you to wear and enjoy them longer and avoiding having to buy more clothes when your current ones become torn, frayed, or otherwise unwearable faster than necessary.
Wash Full Loads
Just like it’s best to run your dishwasher when you have a full load of dishes, the same principle applies to your washer. By only using your washer when you have a full load, you save water, which means that you also save yourself a lot of money.
Eco-Friendly Tips for Doing Laundry
See how much of a difference these tips make on your washer and dryer and your wallet. Mother Earth is sure to appreciate your sustainable efforts.
Do you have any tips of your own on keeping you laundry eco-friendly?
