Is there anything better than a clean pair of sheets or a freshly washed shirt? Unfortunately, the laundry process can be pretty toxic to the environment. If you’re looking to make eco-friendly changes in your day-to-day life, your laundry routine is the perfect way to start! Not only does changing up your laundry routine help the environment, but also helps cut down on monthly utility bills and helps to keep your clothes in good condition for longer.
Ready to make some changes? Here are 4 Easy Swaps to Make Your Laundry Routine More Eco-Friendly and less toxic for your home environment.
Choose Eco - Friendly Products
When looking to clean up your laundry routine, the obvious first step is to find more eco-friendly cleansing ingredients . Don’t be fooled by laundry detergents that market themselves as “green” as they often aren’t. Many that claim to be natural are also filled with synthetic fragrances that have been linked to endocrine disruption. We’re tried dozens of ‘better-choice’ detergents, here are a few of our favorites:
- Our favorite everyday detergent that uses enzymes and more sustainable packaging
- Our favorite option for sports and outdoor wear
Along with choosing a good detergent, think about the packaging your detergent will come in! Choose a powder that has recyclable packaging or make your own detergent and store them in reusable glass containers.
Last but not least, don’t forget to always check the ingredients. Detergent manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on packaging so do your own research. Laundry detergent with a strong perfumed scent may be refreshing at first, but this usually means there are added toxic chemicals you’d rather do without.
Pro Tip : Use what you have first! We know you’ll get excited to make eco-friendly changes, but throwing out your half used Tide to make the jump is wasteful too.
Wash Less Often
Sometimes making eco-friendly changes is even easier than you think! Set a goal to do less frequent loads. Cut back on washing half loads for convenience and only run the wash when it’s a full load. When possible, use cold water vs hot, it’s better for your clothes and reduces the amount of energy required.
Believe it or not, many denim brands recommend washing denim every 10 wears. That means wearing your pants a few more times before washing after every wear. Following this same method will help your clothes last years longer and wear much less.
Reduce Drying
We know everyone loves laying down in a fresh pile of warm laundry, but the drying process is one of the most environmentally harmful steps of the laundry routine. Clothing dryers suck up a huge amount of energy so ditching the drying cycle and opting for air drying is the easiest way to make a huge difference. We love this simple bamboo drying rack or this wall-mounted drying rack to save on space.
If you’re air-drying wet clothes and hate to drip water on your floors, don’t worry because the Dorai Bath Stone is a fan favorite in the laundry room. Simply place the stone under your drying rack and let it take care of the rest.
Pro Tip: Drying clothes on a drying rack or clothesline can leave clothes feeling ‘crunchy’ and less soft. Try drying your clothes on a line and then throwing them into the dryer for 5-10 mins on a low heat cycle before putting them away to give them a softer touch.
Say Goodbye to Dryer Sheets
Unfortunately, dryer sheets create additional waste that is not essential to the laundry routine. Did you know laundry sheets can actually damage fabrics over time and cause them to break down faster? If you want to prevent wrinkles and keep away static, try making the switch to wool dryer balls. These are an affordable solution that can be used for a long time.
Pro Tip: Want your laundry to still smell fresh? Use a drop or two of essential oils on your dryer balls to create fresh-smelling laundry. Citrus is our favorite for clothes and lavender for sheets and towels.
