Everyone needs to do their part to keep the Earth green and Mother Nature happy. One way this can be accomplished is through green laundry. That is, taking steps to keep your laundry habits healthy for the Earth.
There are so many ways to stay green, and doing the laundry is one of them. Looking into the source of soap, the packaging on the soap, the amount of water used, the number of clothes washed in each load, and the washing machine’s settings can help turn down the heat on Mother Nature in the long run.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
Doing laundry, especially when you aren’t aware of the possible environmental impacts, can be harmful. It’s easy to stick to tradition and get stuck in our ways of doing things, but it’s better to try to keep improving. In this case, we can focus on improvement by creating less of an impact with our laundry.
Even for those who don’t have the extra money to spend on a new washer or dryer, there are plenty of things you can do to lessen your impact. Anything from water temperature to the size of laundry loads can have an impact.
The main idea is to reduce. Reduce the number of loads you do per week. Reduce the heat of the water. Reduce the amount of packaging. Reduce your impact. Even if you can only manage one or two of these ideas, something is better than nothing.
What are the greenest soaps?
The most environmentally friendly soaps are those with little packaging and natural ingredients. At the store or online, look for options that have reusable containers or cardboard containers instead of heavy plastic containers.
Also, look for natural ingredients that are better for you and the planet. Phosphate-free detergents are a great swap, and they can cut down on dry skin. Replace fabric softeners with a cup of vinegar, promoting natural cleaners and is better for the Earth and familial health.
What settings on my machine are best for a green wash?
Cooler water is the best for a greener wash. It takes energy to heat already cool water up, so you are saving energy when you use cool water. Of course, some fabrics don’t do well with a cold wash, but you should switch your settings to cold wash if at all possible.
Cold washes save you money as well. Less energy means lighter electric bills, especially if you have a large family and a lot of laundry.
How many clothes should I wash during each cycle?
Try to fill up your machine as much as possible on each wash. This strategy can get the most out of your detergent, your energy use, and the water.
Plan out your washes, so you’re only washing each type of laundry when you have a full load; for example, don’t wash darks just because your favorite shirt is dirty; try to scrape up a whole dark load first.
In addition, try only to wash clothes that need it. If you can wear your favorite jeans another day, do it. It saves electricity, money, detergent, and it helps out Mother Nature.
Are there any other ways in which I can support the Earth while doing laundry?
Air-drying clothes is a great way to save electricity. If you live in a warmer climate, or it’s the summer, air-drying clothes outside can give them a great scent as well.
If you’re in the market for a new washer and dryer, buy new. New machines are more efficient and typically hold more clothes per load. This strategy saves on energy, detergent, and water, and it just makes cleaning easier.
If you do your laundry at a laundromat, use one that already has eco-friendly practices in place.
Conclusion
Now that you know all the ways you can make your laundry more green, it will be hard not to help Mother Nature. Most of these simple strategies take about the same amount of time as the traditional way of doing laundry; it makes the switch easy.
Whatever you can do to help the planet is appreciated. If we all try our best and work together, we can improve the state of the world.