Pretty ProgressiveEven if you’re the kind of person who turns off the lights when no one is in a room, you’re probably still using more electricity than you think. Home appliances like laundry machines, refrigerators, and heating and cooling systems are some of the most energy-hungry features in your home. To reduce that energy consumption, discover some eco-friendly tips for doing your laundry at home.
Alternatives to Laundry Machines
Many people can’t give up the convenience of using laundry machines, and it’s not hard to understand why. However, if you are able to cut down on your appliance usage, you’ll definitely lower your carbon footprint.
To wash clothes without a laundry machine, you will need a large bucket or tub filled with clean water. Treat any noticeable stains first, then add some detergent to the water and let your clothes soak. Swish everything around a bit and gently rub the fabric together to ensure thorough cleaning, then rinse all pieces under cool, clean water.
To dry most clothes without a machine, you just need a drying rack or a clothesline. Clotheslines are better for doing laundry in bulk and when you don’t want water to drip all over your floor. Drying racks are best for clothes that don’t absorb much water, like athletic wear.
Green Machines
If you can’t bear the thought of doing all your laundry by hand, that’s okay; there are green laundry machines available that consume less power. Most of these machines are front-loading since this style uses less water per load to clean clothing. And when deciding between gas and electric dryers, it’s important to note that the faster you dry your clothes, the less energy you’ll use. That’s why some people prefer gas machines.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
One eco-friendly tip for doing laundry at home is to avoid washing anything that isn’t truly dirty. If you wear a shirt for a couple of hours, chances are it doesn’t really need to be washed right away. It’s also a good idea to air-dry as much of your laundry as possible—things like athletic clothes, lingerie, swimwear, and wrinkly fabrics will survive longer if you don’t put them in the dryer.
While wasteful corporations and the uber-rich are to blame for a lot of our planet’s health problems, each of us doing our part will still make a positive difference. Use these tips to lower your carbon footprint and help make the earth around you a little happier.
Even if you’re the kind of person who turns off the lights when no one is in a room, you’re probably still using more electricity than you think. Home appliances like laundry machines, refrigerators, and heating and cooling systems are some of the most energy-hungry features in your home. To reduce that energy consumption, discover some eco-friendly tips for doing your laundry at home.
Alternatives to Laundry Machines
Many people can’t give up the convenience of using laundry machines, and it’s not hard to understand why. However, if you are able to cut down on your appliance usage, you’ll definitely lower your carbon footprint.
To wash clothes without a laundry machine, you will need a large bucket or tub filled with clean water. Treat any noticeable stains first, then add some detergent to the water and let your clothes soak. Swish everything around a bit and gently rub the fabric together to ensure thorough cleaning, then rinse all pieces under cool, clean water.
To dry most clothes without a machine, you just need a drying rack or a clothesline. Clotheslines are better for doing laundry in bulk and when you don’t want water to drip all over your floor. Drying racks are best for clothes that don’t absorb much water, like athletic wear.
Green Machines
If you can’t bear the thought of doing all your laundry by hand, that’s okay; there are green laundry machines available that consume less power. Most of these machines are front-loading since this style uses less water per load to clean clothing. And when deciding between gas and electric dryers, it’s important to note that the faster you dry your clothes, the less energy you’ll use. That’s why some people prefer gas machines.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
One eco-friendly tip for doing laundry at home is to avoid washing anything that isn’t truly dirty. If you wear a shirt for a couple of hours, chances are it doesn’t really need to be washed right away. It’s also a good idea to air-dry as much of your laundry as possible—things like athletic clothes, lingerie, swimwear, and wrinkly fabrics will survive longer if you don’t put them in the dryer.
While wasteful corporations and the uber-rich are to blame for a lot of our planet’s health problems, each of us doing our part will still make a positive difference. Use these tips to lower your carbon footprint and help make the earth around you a little happier.
