Tips For Eco-Friendly Laundry
Over at the Charlotte Observer I saw this handy dandy post on how to get your already green laundry even greener with a tip list for the most eco-friendly laundry loads.
From bleach alternatives to greener laundry detergents, take a peek at this green tip list and see where you rank!
Bleach alternatives
• For laundry, try a bleach alternative that uses oxygen to enhance the cleaning power of eco-friendly detergent.
• For whites, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to your full load.
• Or presoak whites in a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 6 parts warm water. Let it sit overnight and then wash your clothes as normal. Don’t worry about smelling like a salad; the smell of vinegar disappears when it dries.
Greener detergents
When it comes to laundry detergent, it’s important to choose one that’s phosphate-free.
Excess phosphates in the water supply act as a supercharged fertilizer for algae. The resulting algae bloom depletes the available oxygen, choking the life out of the surrounding aquatic habitat.
It’s also a good idea to seek out vegetable-based detergents such as Seventh Generation, Method and even Martha Stewart. Many conventional laundry detergents are petroleum-based, which means they are made in part from crude oil.
Fabric softener
Here’s a dirt-cheap green fabric softener. Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or the fabric softener dispenser. It’s nontoxic, and your clothes will come out of the dryer softer because vinegar’s acidic properties help dissolve any soap residue left on your clothing. This is also a great solution for anyone who suffers from laundry-detergent allergies.
Don’t forget the basics. Don’t use more detergent than you need. Wash only full loads of laundry and with cold water. Making the switch to the cold cycle will save about $60 a year on your power bill because you’ll be giving the hot water heater a break.
Finally, when it comes time to replace your old washing machine, buy one with the government’s Energy Star rating. These models use the least amount of water.
Related posts:
- Date June 28, 2010
- Category: Green Tips
