10 Tips to Go Green in the Laundry Room
The EPA estimates that if Americans went green in the laundry room, they'd save three trillion gallons of water annually, along with over $18 billion per year. The laundry room is a place where we seem to spend a lot of time -- the agency's statistics show that the average household runs more than
Posted — UpdatedSo let's talk about how to green your laundry:
No, we're not suggesting that you let your clothes sit in a soggy pile until they rot. But if you have fair weather, take advantage of it, and hang your clothes outside to dry. This also reduces wear and tear on your garments, allowing them to last longer, which offers other environmental benefits, since you won't be replacing them as quickly.
You may have spent your whole life being told to painstakingly separate laundry, but we'll let you in on a little secret: you can wash pretty much everything on cold or warm without having to worry about it. For new dark garments, it's a good idea to wash on cold without light colors at least once in case they bleed, but you don't need to be as careful about separating laundry the rest of the time. Instead, combine loads to do one big load instead of two smaller ones, which will save you some serious water.
The smaller the item, the more the packaging. Packaging is a major contributor to waste, but it doesn't have to be if you buy smart. Buying items in bulk and choosing concentrated detergents won't just cut down on packaging: it will also save you money.
We discussed it briefly above, but, seriously, use cold water for washing. The heat of the water isn't as important as the use of detergent and the wash cycle to agitate dirt and grime. According to the EPA, 90% of the energy used in washing is spent heating water, which is often needless. Guess what? Washing in hot water wears clothes faster and sets stains, too. Cold water is generally superior, unless hot water is specifically recommended: as for example when you're washing fabric to get rid of microorganisms like scabies.
When you have to use the dryer, be smart. Having a problem with residue and static? Try adding some vinegar to your rinse water instead of using dryer sheets. Try using dryer balls to contain static--you can make your own with balls of wool! Want your clothes to have a fresh scent? Add a lavender sachet during the dry cycle.
Ironing uses energy and weathers clothing. So stop doing it! If you're concerned about wrinkles, be sure to hang clothes immediately after washing to allow the natural weight to pull wrinkles out, and when they're completely dry, fold them along the lines where you want creases and put them neatly away under other garments, which will keep them pressed and smooth. If you're leaving clothes on the hanger, be aware that extended hanging can wear out shoulders and arms (knits, for example, should never be left on the hanger for this reason).
Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals, harms fibers, and it's expensive! Many fabrics designated dry clean only can actually be hand washed with mild soap (not detergent, which can break down fibers and cause shrinking and other problems). Use cool water, hand wash gently, and lay your garments flat to dry.