Making the switch to an eco-friendly and sustainable laundry routine may seem like a full-time job. In 2023, however, it doesn't have to be! We are here to provide you with the best strategies and solutions for integrating green practices into your everyday routine.
From utilizing your washing machine to selecting natural detergents, there are multiple ways that you can do laundry in an eco-friendly manner without sacrificing your cleaning quality or taking too much time out of your busy schedule.
Sustainable Laundry: How To Wash Clothes Without Harming the Environment
Doing laundry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of responsible environmental practices, but reconsidering how often you wash your clothes can have a substantial impact.
Listed below are some ways you can reduce your footprint and help the environment when it comes to doing laundry!
Wash Certain Clothing Less
Washing certain items of clothing less often helps to conserve energy and water resources. For instance, washing jeans after every five wears instead of after two uses saves up to 80% on energy use, as well as climate change impacts and water intake.
This is especially true today, with so many wash-and-wear options being available in nearly every clothing store.
Use Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Many common chemical detergents contain toxic ingredients that can have serious health and environmental consequences if not disposed of properly. These toxins can accumulate in our drinking water and soil, potentially poisoning our food supply with hazardous particles.
It's important to be mindful when it comes to doing laundry - opting for eco-friendly detergents instead of conventional ones and using efficient washing machines that require less hot water, thus reducing energy consumption.
With this in mind, choosing laundry detergent from Tru Earth will be a breath of fresh air. Our laundry detergent strips contain a specially formulated hypoallergenic liquidless laundry detergent that is ultra-concentrated, eco-friendly and packed with cleaning power.
In addition to being highly effective in its cleaning performance, this smart detergent formulation is also free of parabens, phosphates, added dyes, chlorine bleach, and 1,4-dioxane. It has been certified by independent laboratories to be readily biodegradable in accordance with OECD 310D standards.
Our detergent has also been certified as hypoallergenic by independent dermatologists and holds vegan credentials. All these factors make our laundry strips ideal for those looking for a safe yet powerful way to clean their clothes without harming the environment or their health.
Ditch Plastic Containers
The scale of the plastic laundry jug waste problem is staggering. Over one billion plastic laundry jugs are discarded yearly in North America alone. Of those, only 30 percent are recycled, while the other 70 percent end up clogging oceans and waterways or piling up in landfills where they can take hundreds of years to break down.
This environmental crisis requires us all to take action if we’re to mitigate its effects and prevent future generations from inheriting a polluted world. The simplest solution is to buy one plastic jug and keep reusing it by refilling it with detergent from zero-waste stores or refill stations.
Unfortunately, many people still need to be made aware of their consumption habits - especially regarding single-use plastics. These single-use plastics can cause long-term damage to our planet.
Use Cold Water When Washing
Recent studies conducted by Harvard University have found that washing clothes in cold water is just as effective as washing them in hot water. Cold water not only has environmental benefits, reducing the amount of energy used in the washing machine, since 90% is used to heat the water.
Washing with cold also eliminates one of the biggest laundering risks – shrinking clothing! Some fabrics are more prone to shrinking when exposed to high temperatures, so those with delicate materials may want to consider always going with the cold cycle.
In addition to being better for your clothes and energy bills, choosing cold water can also be beneficial for your health. Hotter temperatures are more likely to cause skin irritation or rashes if you’re sensitive, while cooler temperatures provide a gentler solution.
Air-Drying Is Key
Dryers are energy consumers of the highest magnitude, using up to 6,000 watts of electricity when running. While air drying is always the most preferred and energy-efficient way to dry clothes, there may be other options.
Even if you are unable to hang clothes outside to dry, setting clothes up to dry inside is always better than running your dryer. However, if using a dryer is the quickest and most effective method to dry clothes, use your dryer responsibly and stay away from single-use dryer sheets.
Choose Wool Dryer Balls for Your Drying Needs
Wool dryer balls are a great eco-friendly choice to replace traditional single-use dryer sheets, which are not biodegradable and often contain a variety of potentially toxic chemicals. Wool dryer balls work by reducing static electricity, wrinkles, and drying time for clothes, as well as providing a natural softness.
When switching from standard dryer sheets to wool dryer balls, you can expect an increase in energy efficiency due to the faster drying time – saving money on electricity bills over time. As wool is a natural insulator, these products can help keep clothes at an optimal temperature while still getting them clean and soft.
How about trying Tru Earths' reusable wool dryer balls to test this further? This set of 4 premium New Zealand wool dryer balls offer a natural, chemical-free solution to soften your laundry and reduce drying time. The best part is that they last for more than 1000 loads, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners in plastic jugs.
Not only will this save energy by reducing drying time, but it also helps soften fabrics quickly and naturally without the risk of sensitive skin irritation from chemicals or synthetics. And since these dryer balls are made up of 100% sheep wool, they also help fluff up and separate clothes as they tumbler around in the dryer.
How Does Doing Laundry Affect the Environment?
Laundry machines can be major contributors to electricity consumption and environmental pollution. In some cases, the electric water heater in a washing machine can consume more energy than running the entire cycle.
This means that many households unknowingly waste large amounts of electricity each month due to inefficient heating processes. In addition, detergents and other laundry chemicals commonly contain harsh pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfates, borates, chlorine bleach, and fragrances.
To ensure your washing machine runs efficiently and safely for both you and the environment, it's important to regularly check settings like temperature control settings or soap dosage settings to use just enough water or detergent for each load.
Is There a Difference Between Top-Loading and Front-Loading Washing Machines?
Front-loading washing machines typically use less energy and water than top loaders, making them more cost-efficient in the long run. Because they don’t rely on an agitator to clean clothes, they also create less friction which helps to curb the shedding of microfibers. This is an important concern for many households since these tiny plastic particles eventually make their way into lakes and oceans, where they can damage the environment.
While front-loaders are often more expensive up front, their lower operational costs will outweigh those initial expenses over time. On the other hand, top loaders are usually cheaper at purchase but have higher utility costs due to their less efficient design.
All things considered, it’s generally best to invest in a front-loader if you want a highly efficient washer that will save energy and money without putting our planet at risk of microfiber contamination.
