cc Flickr photo credit: Monica Arellano-Ongpin
Being green isn’t always easy, but it has benefits. It’s good for you, good for the Earth, and good for your wallet.
Learn more: Where To Find Ethical & Made In The USA Fashion
Here are some green laundry ideas you’ve probably heard already.
- make your own detergent recipes: liquid from Trent at The Simple Dollar or powder from Matt at DIY Natural
- Wash with cold water (note: exception goes to bed sheets, wash these on warm or hot to kill dust mites)
- hang your clothes out to dry (note: don’t try this if you have allergies!)
- buy an energy efficient machine like this one: Whirlpool WFW9500TC 4.0 Cu. Ft Front Load Washer (Tuscan)
- only wash full loads
- use less detergent
- avoid buying clothes that are dry clean only
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The one key that is missing is the clothes themselves. I often hear moms complain about having to tackle a mountain of laundry. I do this sometimes myself, but only after we’ve been on vacation (note: not when I’m at my Mom’s house since she washes everything for us!), or after we’ve been sick.
We have more laundry than most people, since we’re a family of 6. I could easily do 2 loads a day/5 days a week. That’s a LOT of laundry. this of course doesn’t include accidents, vomit, or other gross things that need to be washed. I usually add about 2-3 loads a week for this. That’s 12-13 loads.
The main way I keep my laundry room green, and more green in my wallet is by keeping a limited number of clothing items for each person.
The only exception I have is a nice outfit and shoes. I don’t get out much, so I have a few classic pieces that I will hold onto for forever. Likewise the hubby has a suit and ties, and the kids each have something nice-ish.
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I usually go through my clothes seasonally. Since it’s almost fall/back-to-school time, it’s the perfect time to go through your summer wardrobe and purge. Anything you haven’t worn in a year should go.
How many clothing items do you have? Do you feel like you could cut back?
Kelly
Steph @ Greening Families says
I hadn’t thought about the laundry implications of keeping our wardrobes to a reasonable size but you are right. Whenever we see a spike in the number of clothes we have (like around the holidays or birthdays), the laundry levels increase. More than one outfit a day doesn’t work if there aren’t other options!
Steph @ Greening Families says
I hadn’t thought about the laundry implications of keeping our wardrobes to a reasonable size but you are right. Whenever we see a spike in the number of clothes we have (like around the holidays or birthdays), the laundry levels increase. More than one outfit a day doesn’t work if there aren’t other options!
Lisa says
Thanks for pointing out to wash sheets on hot, while you can stick them in the freezer to kill dust mites that isn’t something many people will get around to doing.
Also my husband and I sadly have very bad allergies so line drying never happens. 🙁
But anyway, great tips!!
Lisa says
Thanks for pointing out to wash sheets on hot, while you can stick them in the freezer to kill dust mites that isn’t something many people will get around to doing.
Also my husband and I sadly have very bad allergies so line drying never happens. 🙁
But anyway, great tips!!
Our homemade powder, HE friendly, laundry detergent was one of the greatest projects my wife & I undertook! Not because it saves us $6,500/year (it doesn’t, although it does save $0.16/load) but because it kickstarted our journey to think outside the box when it comes to products in our home. Since making our detergent, we have moved toward making more & more of our own products & are loving it, not to mention our money savings just keeps growing!
One of my next big things is to install a laundry line like Steve did (which Kelly mentioned nicely). I just installed my back yard (along with my paver patio). As soon as the yard grows in, I will be putting the laundry line in.
Laundry lines not only save on energy, but they make your clothes last A LOT longer too!
Becoming more self-reliant is always a good thing. GO DO IT! 🙂
Great post Kelly.
Our homemade powder, HE friendly, laundry detergent was one of the greatest projects my wife & I undertook! Not because it saves us $6,500/year (it doesn’t, although it does save $0.16/load) but because it kickstarted our journey to think outside the box when it comes to products in our home. Since making our detergent, we have moved toward making more & more of our own products & are loving it, not to mention our money savings just keeps growing!
One of my next big things is to install a laundry line like Steve did (which Kelly mentioned nicely). I just installed my back yard (along with my paver patio). As soon as the yard grows in, I will be putting the laundry line in.
Laundry lines not only save on energy, but they make your clothes last A LOT longer too!
Becoming more self-reliant is always a good thing. GO DO IT! 🙂
Great post Kelly.