Greening My Laundry Routine

I read recently that 34 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions would be saved if everyone in the U.S. switched to cold water cycles! This got me energized to share some laundry tips with you… it’s something we do on a regular basis, so altering this on-going habit can really make a significant impact!

It’s intuitive and what our parents use to do, but cold water washing, maximizing the water usage by filling an entire full load and air-drying unless absolutely necessary can really make a difference for the planet and also your pocketbook. If you can’t manage a full load, some machines have a load size option (aka small, medium, large) so select the former ones to opt for less water. If you do not have this ability with your unit, try to use a full load to avoid water wasting! The same rule applies to the dryer. According to the EPA, this can save up to $40 a year per household! Obviously, there are some exceptions to this, like diapers, and a few garments that may need the occasional high-temperature wash. Washing full loads in your washer can save 3,400 gallons of water a year! Clothes will even last longer if air-dried since it’s gentler on the garments!  A little sunshine never hurts!