Laundries are big energy suckers, from the washing machine to the dryer. It is possible to reduce this impact by following some simple ideas that won't cause too much change in your regular laundry tasks.
Step 1
Prefer the cold water cycle. When washing your clothes, the cold water cycle is the best option in most cases. Get a detergent capable of handling cold washes; most eco-friendly detergents are designed this way.
Step 2
Wash full loads. Only wash when there are enough clothes to fill your washing machine. This makes the most of each load.
Step 3
Wash lightly soiled items the quick way. Either washed lightly soiled items using the "quick" cycle on low water, or try your hand at washing them in the tub with a few quick scrubs of your own.
Step 4
Wash less laundry. Yes, this is personal, and yes, you should change your underwear every day like mom said. Still, if you try (and teach your family to do the same), you can cut down on the amount of laundry you produce.
- Avoid changing clothes multiple times per day.
- Wear outer clothing, like pants, skirts, and jackets, more than once before washing it, if you don't spill anything on it.
- Wear the same pajamas for a few nights in a row, too.
- Hang towels to dry after each use and you can use them for multiple showers. Get each family member a different color or a different hook, if you need to.
Step 5
Hang the clothes outside to dry. Where possible, avoid using the dryer and hang your clothes out to dry. A powered clothes dryer is one of the least energy-efficient appliances in any household, whereas a clothesline or clothes rack is naturally solar powered. Line drying ensures really clean and beautiful smelling clothes and linens. It also is a great way to end a cold wash, as the sun bleaches any germs right out of the fabrics.
- Did you know you can put sheets on the bed while they're still wet? It sounds a bit strange, but cotton sheets are thin fabric, and they will dry very quickly if left uncovered.
A folding indoor clothes rack is enough for a load of socks and underwear. It's indoors, so won't get you in trouble with the apartment complex or homeowners' association, and it will dry laundry even if it's raining outside. - If you like putting clothes through the dryer because it gets rid of wrinkles and softens fabric, put them in for just a few minutes and take them out damp and hang them up for the rest of the drying. You'll get the same effect and save energy.
- Air dry socks and underwear even if you don't like to air dry the rest. It's easier on the elastic, and it doesn't matter if your underwear is wrinkled.
Step 6
Get an energy-efficient machine. Front-loaders have had a lot of good press in recent years about their efficiency but they can have two drawbacks - they are pricey and when they break, they can be harder to fix. For some people, bending down to reach in is also a problem. If you can afford a good quality one and you can place it somewhere accessible, they make a great energy-efficient choice. If not, look for quality top loaders with good energy ratings. The later models are competing well with their energy-efficient front-loader cousins and may well be just as good.
Step 7
Look into natural washing solutions for stains Rather than using harsh chemicals that can harm you and the environment, look in wikiHow's clothing stain removal suggestions for many great natural product suggestions for washing out problems without creating any more.
Step 8
Look for iron-free solutions. To lessen the ironing, fold clothes directly out of a dryer and they will not wrinkle. Fold clothes directly from the clothesline and pack away immediately. Look for wrinkle-free clothing options, provided they are eco-friendly. And don't bother ironing weekend wear, if you're wearing it around the house and garden.
