Tips on how to get the best eco-value from your washer and dryer while saving money and causing the least amount of environmental damage:
Eco-friendly laundry habits
- Wash laundry in cold water. Energy Star website reports that just heating the water uses more than 90 percent of energy required to operate a machine. You will save energy by half even if you only switch from hot to warm water.
- Don’t do the laundry until your machine is full. The same amount of energy is used by your washer for every load (whether half empty of full) so don’t waste all that water and electricity if you don’t have enough laundry for a full load.
- Choose environmentally friendly, non-toxic laundry detergent. Many conventional detergents contain phosphates, bleaches and artificial scents – all products that contaminate water and harm natural life. Phosphate-free, biodegradable laundry detergent is best for us and for our environment.
- When running your dryer, dry similar fabrics together for most efficient energy consumption. Heavy fabrics should not be dried with lighter items – it’s bad for energy use and over-drying is destructive to the fabric itself.
- Air dry your laundry outdoors whenever you can. Larger items, especially linens, towels, blankets, and comforters will smell like sunshine and will cost nothing to dry.
- Maintain your washing machine and dryer for best and most efficient energy performance. Fix your washer and dryer yourself when they break, it is much easier than you think. For appliance parts, repair and maintenance information, repair videos and more visit this excellent resource.
- Recycle your old laundry machines. Appliance retailers will, for the most part, take away old washers and dryers for recycling when they deliver new ones. For more information on finding recycling centers in your area, visit this excellent resource.
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