Laundry Day Top Tips for Sustainability

After a long day of work and responsibilities, who wants to start a load of laundry? Why bother being sustainable about it? Some of the benefits of making slight adjustments to your routine are saving money, time, and resources and investing in more sustainable choices to ensure the longevity of your clothes and washers/dyers. You'll be upgrading to a simpler, faster, and more eco-friendly routine with these quick tips!

1. First, invest in a quality gentle or plant-based detergent like Seventh Generation EasyDose Ultra Concentrate Laundry Detergent. For a more sustainable option, opt for laundry sheets. They come in small boxes as opposed to huge plastic jugs that you have to lug around, and one box can get you up to sixty washes, with the number of sheets varying with the size and dirtiness of the load. Plus, companies have formulated the sheets so that they can used in cold water with the same amount of concentrated cleaning power, saving you money by reducing your electricity bill. They dissolve in the wash, so after the box is empty, simply flatten the seams and recycle or repurpose the box for something else.

2. With the advancement of modernized washers and detergents, try to save your hot cycles for very dirty items only. Most modern detergents and washer cycles can remove and clean your clothes without using hot water. This is overall more energy-efficient and saves you money.

3. Consider cotton-zippered laundry bags. Ever had your favorite bra or clothing item get ruined in the wash because it was tossed around the drum and stretched or warped? Cotton reusable laundry bags found on Amazon and Etsy can be your answer. They offer multiple sizes, a variety of colors, and quality materials. The days of losing socks, ruining bras, stretching beloved clothing items, and tossing larger items like shoes right into the drum are over. Using laundry bags can save you time and heartbreak and lengthen the longevity of your washer and dryer.

4. Try to update your wardrobe with natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, cashmere, and wool versus synthetic fibers like polyester. (If you're worried about finding more affordable options for fabrics, check out my super savings blog on thrifting here). Cheaper, mass-produced, and artificial fabrics are of lower quality, degrade faster over time, and impact the environment more than natural fibers because they turn into microfibers when broken down. Over the long term, it's better to invest in quality materials that will last both in your home and washer than cheap and poorly constructed materials.

5. Skip laundry softener, as it has been shown to ruin the functioning of your washing machine and may simply be a money grab. Instead of making clothes softer and better, it sticks to the components of the inside drum, clogging important pieces and reducing the effectiveness of cleaning clothes and the life of your washer.

6. Lastly, my favorite tip is to make your clothes smell and reduce dryer time with the use of essential oils and wool dryer balls. I found my four-pack of dryer balls at Marshall's for about $8. Whenever I am ready to do a load, I simply dab a couple of dots of my favorite essential oil onto each dryer ball and toss it in with the load for long-lasting and fresh-smelling clothes, naturally. They are reusable for hundreds of loads and should last years after the initial purchase with proper care.

   Use the section below as a reference on how often to wash your clothes.

   Undergarments like bras, panties, and boxers should be washed after every use, while shirts, shorts, and other apparel can be worn a couple of times before hitting the wash. Heavier items like jeans, jackets, or denim should be washed less frequently to increase the longevity of the material's life as well as looks and structural integrity. Of course, this is just a reference depending on personal preference, climate, and other factors. However, consider multiple wears for your favorite clothing items to reduce the number of loads you do. (It'll save you time, detergent, and money while giving the earth some love.