Laundry, laundry, laundry...
Is there anything less exciting than doing the wash? Whether you have kids, or pets you know there is always something to wash. And I'm sure we've all stood there in the store staring at the vast amounts of detergent trying to decide what is safe for our clothes, our skin, and the environment, right?
Did you know that the average U.S. household does 300 loads of laundry per year? That’s a lot of clothes! And it’s not just the amount of laundry that can have an impact on the environment, it’s also HOW we do it. So let’s talk about some ways to make doing laundry a little more eco-friendly.
First things first, let’s choose our clothes responsibly (I know, this can be a challenge!). The textile industry is responsible for 20% of the world’s water pollution and uses lots of harmful chemicals during production. So, instead of fast fashion brands, look for sustainable clothing brands that use GOTS-certified organic cotton, are fair trade certified, and use biodegradable packaging. And once you’ve got your sustainable wardrobe, make sure to keep your clothes out of landfills by taking care of them.
Can you wash less?
Speaking of taking care of clothes, let’s do less laundry! Not all clothes need to be washed after every wear, so wear them a few times before throwing them in the hamper. Washing jeans after every five wears instead of every two can reduce energy use, climate change impact, and water intake by 80%. Plus, it means less laundry for you to do!
What kind of detergent is best?
When it’s time to do laundry, choose the right detergent. Traditional liquid detergents can contain toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, and the BIG JUGS they come in usually end up in landfills and waterways. Or, if you are like me and have tried to reuse them, you don't need to make anymore funnels or large scoopers haha! Instead, I have found these eco-friendly detergent strips by SaltyLama. They come in biodegradable packaging, are pre-measured, and free of harsh chemicals! This is a total game changer. It makes me feel better that I'm using less plastics, and still get the laundry done right!
Another way to make laundry more eco-friendly is to wash clothes in cold water. It’s just as effective as washing them in hot water, and it saves energy (and money!) since 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes towards heating the water. Plus, it helps your clothes last longer and prevents shrinking and color bleeding.
Have you considered air-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer? Dryers are energy hogs, so if you can, hang your clothes on a clothesline and let the sun and wind do their thing. If you can’t air-dry, consider a heat-pump dryer instead of a traditional one. They’re more expensive upfront, but more efficient and can save you lots of money on energy bills in the long run.
So, there you have it — some tips to make doing laundry a little more eco-friendly. Now, go forth and conquer that laundry pile!
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