Although laundry seems like a weekly chore that seems harmless, it has a significant impact on the planet. 80% of your laundry’s life cycle impact results from washing and drying. Likewise, wash and dry cycles consume a lot of water and electricity. Nonetheless, there’s so much you can do to limit your laundry’s environmental footprint. Here are five laundry practices that don’t stain the environment.
- Using High-Efficiency Washing Machines
Energy-efficient washing machines use less water and electricity and can cut your utility bills by up to 50%. Besides, they leave your laundry dryer, which helps to cut drying time and energy use. So, although these machines are costly, replacing an older washer with them can save you money in the long run.
- Safer Detergents
When choosing detergents for your laundry, there are certain ingredients to avoid. These include artificial fragrances and surfactants such as nonylphenol ethoxylate, which are hormone disruptors. If these ingredients find their way into waterways, they can pollute the water.
- Washing Less Often
Many people are guilty of washing their clothes after wearing them only once. However, this only harms the environment by increasing energy consumption while reducing the garments’ life cycle. Wearing something once doesn’t mean it needs to hit the hamper. If a garment smells and looks clean, there’s no harm in reusing it. Going a little longer in-between washes saves water and energy.
- Using Cold Water
Most folks grew up knowing that hot water is needed during wash cycles to eliminate odors and stains from fabrics. While there’s some truth in that, it’s not entirely true. Modern washers have cold water settings, which help you save on energy consumption.
You can still get rid of stubborn odors and stains when using the cold water settings on your washing machines. In this regard, consider pre-soaking soiled and smelly garments in cold water and vinegar to loosen grime and dirt.
- Outsource Your Laundry to Professionals
Outsourcing your laundry to a wash and fold service like HappyNest is always a good idea. There’s an industry-wide demand for environmentally-friendly laundry practices. So when you outsource your fabrics to a pickup and delivery laundry service, they get washed professionally and in adherence to eco-friendly practices.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly home and commercial laundry service, HappyNest is just what you need. We’re dedicated to washing your laundry to the highest standards while minimizing your environmental footprint. Sign up today to schedule your first pickup.
