Laundry tips for a greener wash

Many of us are taking actions such as mending our clothes, buying preloved fashion, or buying fewer clothes as a way to reduce our environmental footprint. Amazingly, 70% of the energy required in the average life cycle of a t-shirt happensafterthe t-shirt is produced. When we think about the impact of our clothes on the environment, we can sometimes forget about the impact of washing and drying. 

But being eco-conscious doesn’t mean sacrificing effectiveness, or spending more money. Check out our top 4 tips below on how to reduce your environmental impact in the laundry.

1. Only wash clothes when you need to
We’ve been led to believe that our clothes need washing after every use, which simply is not true. A clothes airer is your best friend when it comes to airing out your clothes between wears, when they’re not quite ready for a wash. Washing out stains by hand can also help avoid unnecessary laundering.

2. Use the correct amount of laundry detergent
Most people don’t realise they may be using too much detergent - through incorrect measurement, or even by popping in ‘a bit extra, just in case’! We’ve all been there, when we’ve been in a rush. Unfortunately, using the wrong amount of extra detergent can be bad for your clothes, skin and machine.

Using pre-measured detergent strips will help to guard against 3 things: degrading the quality of your clothes, having a negative impact on the environment, and having to buy detergent more frequently.

And while you’re at it, you can also skip the fabric softener - saving you time and money. Fabric softeners coat fibres, trapping soil inside and making them less absorbent.

3. Switch to zero-waste laundry products
Plastic has become a huge part of our everyday lives. Amazingly, around 50% of the plastic produced worldwide is used only once and thrown away.  

Reduce the plastics in your home by choosing plastic-free packaging where possible. OurLaundry Detergent Strips come in their own handy box, which is then composted or recycled after use.

4. Keep an eye on the water temperature
By now, we all know that washing with cold water is the best option for the environment. But did you know that even the cold cycle of your washing machine uses some hot water? Result: it’s more effective than many people realise! 

Pro tip: Experts recommend running a monthly hot-water cycle for your bath towels, to keep them at their best.

Together, we can lighten laundry’s load on our environment!