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Doing laundry is one of the things everyone on the planet has to deal with on a regular basis.
Some more than others, for sure, but sooner or later, you have to take the laundry basket and sort it all out.
And when it comes to deciding which clothes are washed on what temperature, and how to color coordinate it all, it can be tiresome.
And you want to make sure your clothes last you a long time.
It’s disappointing to see your favorite shirt lose its shape and color quickly.
There are things you can do about that and be environmentally conscious at the same time.
These are some of the eco-friendly ways to care for your clothes.
The accessibility and convenience of washing machines changed the way we wear and clean our clothes.
More often than not, people wear a garment once and then toss it in the laundry basket.
Yes, sometimes there are good reasons for it.
You've spilled some coffee on it or you got some burrito stains.
And, of course, things like underwear and socks do not count — you have to wash those after each use.
But when it comes to your jeans, for example, it’s entirely unnecessary.
You can save a lot of energy and water by wearing your jeans at least three times before washing them.
Even the popular brands recommend washing them on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis.
If you really have to turn on your washer every single day, then get the most out it.
The truth is that if you live in a big household, especially with young kids, there is always going to be dirty laundry lying around.
So don’t hesitate to put in all the clothes that can fit.
Even when it feels like not another sock can get in, it probably can.
Don’t worry, it will still be clean when it’s done.
Full loads of laundry also minimize the clothes friction and less friction means fewer clothing fibers will come off and then go into the water stream.
Filling the washer is much more environment-friendly because it helps preserve marine life.
Another reason why less friction is good for you is that it makes your clothes last longer.
Your clothes will thin out more slowly and you'll see fewer holes in them over time.
Also, you can always try washing and drying your clothes at a laundromat.
They are not available everywhere, but there are still neighborhoods that have them.
They are generally more energy-efficient than those we keep at home.
An incredible 90% of the energy the washing machines use goes to water heating.
That means switching from washing your clothes in warm or hot water to washing it in cold water would have a beneficial impact on the environment.
Washing your clothes in cold water requires far less energy because you only needed to power the machine.
Plus, washing clothes in cold water preserves the color.
For example, washing laundry at 40° Celsius uses much less energy than washing it at 60°.
Also, try washing some of your clothes by hand.
You might find it a tedious and time-consuming task, but it has a lot of benefits.
Moreover, some fabrics have to be hand-washed because they'd be destroyed in the washing machine.
Hand-washing preserves the color and quality of your clothes better.
It’s also much more energy efficient and practical when you need to wash only one or two items.
One of the most relevant changes you can make when it comes to eco-friendly ways to care for your clothes is to be mindful of what kind of detergent you use.
Most of the mainstream detergents contain a lot of things that are bad for the environment.
One of them is phosphorus, commonly used in the shape of phosphates.
Phosphates improve the cleaning power of the detergent, they remove dirt more easily, and they are especially good at preventing "hard" water from damaging both clothes and the washing machine.
However, phosphates also have a negative impact on the ecosystem and aquatic life.
The good news is that there are phosphate-free detergents on the market.
All you need to do is read labels when shopping, and feel free to research detergent companies.
You should also check if the detergent is biodegradable, and whether or not it is plant-based.
Biodegradable and plant-based detergents are also much healthier and safer for your skin.
It's also highly recommendable to wash baby clothes with eco-friendly detergent.
Finally, instead of a fabric softener, you can use just a little bit of white vinegar to soften up the clothes.
Another way to make a difference and help preserve the environment is to buy concentrated laundry detergent.
It might not seem like a big deal, but smaller packaging leads to a decrease in carbon footprint.
A lot more of the product can be shipped at once because smaller packs take up less space and, by extension, need less fuel.
However, be careful how you use it.
Too much of it can create excessive foam that can harm the washing machine.
And if you’re looking to go completely eco-friendly with your laundry detergent – you can make your own.
A lot of people wash their clothes that way.
You never have to wonder what ingredients go into it, and there is always room for customization.
Washing your clothes is just one part of taking care of them.
You also have to dry them.
Taking your clothes outside and hanging them on a string used to be the most common and probably the only way people dried their clothes.
Some people still do it, particularly those who have backyards and are very keen on staying eco-friendly.
Things are a bit different when you’re living in an apartment building in a big city.
Even if you wanted to hang your wet clothes on the balcony, there are often rules against it.
What you can do is hang your clothes on a foldable clothes rack and let them dry in your home.
Sure, if your place is small it might get in the way, and you might knock it down a few times, but ultimately you’ll get used to it.
Besides, this is what most people do if their buildings don’t provide dryer units.
It is important to note that air-drying your clothes will preserve them longer.
Sometimes, air-drying your clothes isn’t really an option, and you’re drowning in the pile of wet laundry.
It’s not the end of the world.
There are ways you can optimize the usage of your dryer and make it more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Remember to clean the lint filter as often as you can.
Check if your dryer has a moisture sensor and, if it does, it will cut the drying time and turn off the machine when the process is done.
This is a useful feature to look for if you’re shopping for a new dryer.
Also, if you’re looking for eco-friendly ways to care for your clothes, you don’t really need dryer sheets.
They are full of all sorts of chemicals and don’t really combine well with the natural fabrics of your clothes.
Dry cleaning is traditionally not a very eco-friendly approach to cleaning your clothes.
Just the smell of dry cleaning places indicates that chemicals are involved.
Most dry cleaning businesses use perchloroethylene, which has a detrimental impact on your health.
But, there are eco-friendly dry cleaning stores out there and are quickly popping up all over the country!
Here's how it works:
Eco-friendly or "green" dry cleaning uses silicone - a naturally occurring element that is fairly safe for both humans and the planet.
This is because silicone degrades over time into the Earth as sand, water, and CO2.
All of which are completely safe.
Not to mention, it's very gentle on your delicate clothing so it doesnt wear or fade.
And as far as the chemical smell goes...
When you use silicone, it doesn't leave any strong odor on your clothing.
It's actually the same chemical that is found in many lotions, shampoos, and chapsticks.
So, all in all, it's a pretty good alternative for the clothing that you must dry clean.
It’s easy to dismiss all of this and think that one person can’t make a significant impact.
And in certain ways, that is true.
Air-drying the clothes doesn’t mean you will singlehandedly stop the climate change, but that doesn't mean that you’re off the hook just like that.
Making a few minor changes and trying some eco-friendly ways to care for your clothes will affect your daily routine and will help alter your mindset.
Every little thing you do, from finding eco-friendly dry cleaning to wearing your jeans a few days longer, matters a lot.
Read the labels of detergents and the clothes you buy and go for quality over quantity.
You’ll quickly see improvements in your utility bill and your health, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing you’re doing your part.
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