Apartment Therapy Re-Nest | Top Ten: Greener Laundry Ideas

The Laundry Room (or -mat) is a perfect place to go green without really feeling a big pinch. Many of the things we do automatically can be easily greened up - by simply setting the machine to cool, trying a new laundry product, waiting until the hamper is really full...

Use cooler water - washing in warm and rinsing in cold saves energy (and really works well!)

Wash when necessary, not automatically - if it's ok to wear once more before a wash, don't just toss it in the hamper

Do fewer loads - one big load uses less energy than 2 small loads

Line dry whenever possible

Tumble dry partway and then hang it up - more air dry time means less ironing

Natural fabric softener: 1/2 cup bakng soda in the rinse cycle

Natural whitener: soak clothes overnight in one part hydrogen peroxide to 8 parts cold water then wash normally

Try a non-chlorine bleach such as Ecover or Mrs. Meyers

Lose the petrochemical based detergent! Go biodegradable and get rid of all the plastic packaging with Seventh Generation powdered or Restore in-store refillable liquid

When the time comes to replace your washer, consider a front-loader which uses less water and power.

posted originally from: AT:Chicago

I've read a lot about the harmful effects of dryer sheets (petroleum based, potentially carcinogenic and even bad for fabrics) so I started using dryer balls.

http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Dryer-Balls-Light-Blue/dp/B0009WK23Y

posted by Craig on July 18th 2007 at 5:38am
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I just bought my first house (still love Apartment Therapy, though!!!) and my friends couldn't believe that I didn't want a dryer. So far, I hang everything in the basement as I haven't gotten around to replacing the dirty old lines in the back yard. I secretly hoped, as I was telling them all I really meant it, that I really did mean it! As it turns out, I have not yet had a single pang for a dryer. My utilities will be lover and I think my clothes will last longer as I shave a wee bit off of my carbon footprint.

posted by One Eyed Daruma on July 18th 2007 at 5:48am
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I thought it was not just the dryer sheets, but ordinary fabric softners have the same ill effects?

posted by spiffy on July 18th 2007 at 9:59pm
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Use cooler water - washing in warm and rinsing in cold saves energy (and really works well!)

Do fewer loads and washing when necessary (great suggestions)

I also recommend the investment in a LaundryPure. It will automatically help with your other points. For example:

This machine can help eliminate the need for any warm water (saving energy) because when you use it you only need cold water.

You don't need any fabric softener or detergents, literally. Stop using any and all chemicals and detergents (period.) It utilizes the natural whitener idea by ozidizing the water: utilizing hydrogen peroxide in the water.

Check it out under water treatment at this link.
http://www.ecoquestintl.com/dealer_home/welcome.asp?usr=freshmenz

I hope this helps,
Best Regards...
Doug
http://www.freshmenz.com

posted by freshmenz on November 30th 2007 at 4:53pm
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