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When you're washing your favorite pair of jeans or your lucky t-shirt are you thinking of your impact on the planet? If you are, a bike path somewhere in this country should be named in your honor. However, if you’re just getting started on your trek to being a super steward of the environment you probably haven’t considered how your weekly washing affects Mother Earth. Never fear, I’ve put together the quick and dirty guide to cleaning up your laundry act!
The two main ingredients to any laundry experience are water and detergent. In an effort to conserve water, be sure to read your washing machine's capacity information. You'll want to maximize your load sizes, but without pushing it past stated limitations. Once you have an understanding of how much your machine can handle, you can create a laundry plan which limits the number of total loads. When you must wash a smaller load, check your machine to see if you can decrease the water level. This can save water which would otherwise be wasted.
Now that you’re thinking about the amount of water that goes into the machine, let’s shift gears and consider the state of the water when it comes out. At some point during your washing cycle you add detergent and maybe even fabric softeners. These items traditionally contain chemicals which pollute water. Many times the detergents which claim to give you brighter brights, whiter whites, and sweet smelling socks also contain dye, petroleum, and other toxic material.
Fortunately, there are a growing number of alternative detergents on the market which contain biodegradable and environmentally friendly ingredients. These highly effective cleaners often use sustainable materials. Additionally, the toxic free detergents are better for your skin. Most major retailers stock green detergent, but if you cannot find exactly what you’re looking for cruise the internet for the products which best suit your needs. You will be surprised at the amount of choices you have to create a planet positive laundry experience.
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