A GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE LAUNDRY PRACTICES

Though it may be counterintuitive, washing machines generally use a similar amount of energy for each load—regardless of size. You can help reduce your monthly energy usage by only washing full loads of laundry.

However, washing machine water usage may vary based on the wash cycle you choose. If you can’t wait to wash a full load of laundry, select a cycle designed for smaller loads when possible.

High-efficiency (HE) detergent is low sudsing and quick dispersing, which helps your washing machine clean your laundry during low-water wash cycles.

You can reduce energy and water usage by washing your clothes less frequently. After wearing an item, examine it for soils, stains or odors. If the garment has only been gently worn, consider wearing it one more time before tossing it in the wash.

When you select the hot water setting on your washer, the appliance has to use more energy to heat the water during the wash cycle. According to energystar.gov, opting for warm or cold water settings can reduce your washer’s energy usage by up to 50%.

Selecting an additional Drain and Spin cycle that uses rapid spin speeds at the end of the wash cycle can help remove excess water from your clothes. This can help lower the energy needed to dry your clothes in a dryer.

Frequently cleaning out the lint trap in your dryer is a sustainable laundry habit, in addition to being a safety precaution. Clearing the lint trap can help ensure that heat is evenly distributed during the drying cycle.

Sensor drying automatically ends the drying cycle when moisture levels are sufficiently reduced. Conversely, Timed Dry cycles may use more energy than needed, as some items dry faster than others.

While laying clothes out to air dry uses the least amount of energy, you can still make green choices while using your dryer. After putting your clothes through an additional Drain and Spin cycle in the washer, select low or no-heat tumble dry on your dryer.