Tips For Eco-Friendly Laundry Routine

The Earth is a beautiful place to live in but is becoming more and more fragile as every day millions of humans pour chemicals into waste streams and over-consume resources. Although it may seem like an everyday thing, washing clothes pour waste like microplastics into the water stream that contaminates the precious clean water in the process. Since it's a job we all do and can't be ignored (no one likes smelly clothes), there's a lot of room to reduce the impact of laundry on the environment. Here are some ways to reduce your laundry footprint by adopting sustainable practices.

Ways To Reduce Laundry Footprint With Eco-Friendly Laundry Routine

Segregate your laundry

The best way to keep your laundry "clean" is not to wash clothes when you don't need them. Washing clothes excessively break down fibres, which is bad for both your clothes and the environment, especially those that release microplastics into the wastewater. For example, jeans can be worn several times before being washed. Also, hang and recycle the towels several times instead of washing them every day. Avoid washing things just because they are laid down or wrinkled. 

Pre Wash

Instead of reaching for the store's chemical cleaners, go old school with more natural options that remove stains without adding unnatural substances to water. Simply pour some detergent ad rub it on the stains to pretreat. Avoid pre-wash which requires more water and energy. If you have stubborn stains, try using a stain remover before washing. 

Choose Detergents Wisely

Commercial laundry detergents are full of harmful chemicals that run into rivers and eventually into the ocean, even though many people may think that all the chemicals are removed from the water after treatment, the truth is that not all the chemicals are removed. So wondering how to choose your laundry detergent carefully?

For the best, look for natural ingredients and read labels carefully. If you have free time, try making your own laundry detergent. There are various methods all over the internet. Once you find your ingredients, it's quick and easy to make and you can make enough for a few months at a time.

Fabric softener/dryer sheet options

Detergents are high in energy consumption, but they also add to the waste to dry. You can use a homemade liquid soap to clean your clothes using a mixture of 1/8 cup of food-grade glycerin, two cups of water, and two cups of white vinegar. Use about 1/4 cup per load. In addition, soften your clothes and use a short woollen cleaning ball on each load. 

Alternatively, you can make your own softener that goes in the dryer instead of the washing machine. Just add an egg to the mixture and dry it on your clothes. Just moisten the rag and dry it with your load of clothing. You can reuse the same fabric over and over again without wasting the dryer sheet. 

Reduce Water Usage

As mentioned, the best way to reduce water consumption is to avoid unnecessary washing. Plus, skip the prewash and choose the best cycle for the job at hand. For example, substitute Extra Rinse for whites and choose a low level for regular washing. If you're looking for a new washing machine, choose one with an Energy Star rating for low water and power consumption. 

Cold water 

It takes energy to heat water around the house, so save it for the shower and don’t waste it on washing clothes. Your clothes will look better if washed in cold water, and your wallet will thank you. 

Line Dry Your Clothes

Another winning way to cut down on electricity bills is to skip the dryer altogether. Instead, line the clothesline and hang it to dry in the sun. If you don't like the rough feeling of sun-dried clothes, put them in the dryer for a few minutes, then remove the clothes.

Microplastics Traps 

In the environment, microplastics are making headlines around the world. They are said to be found in almost all fish tested, which means we are literally eating our clothes. Because microplastics are so small, they have not washed down the drain and end up in the ocean. There are no products, like Cora balls, that are designed to be thrown into your filter as a filter to capture microplastics in your laundry. New washing machines are expected to have built-in microplastic filters, so keep an eye out for a suitable one on the market. 

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is a chemical process, therefore an enemy of the environment. Avoid dry cleaning as much as possible by washing at home and being careful with the clothes you buy at the store. 

Laundry is such a part of our daily routine that we may not realize how often we throw our less-worn clothes into the laundry. It's never too late to start living eco-friendly and incorporate new ways into our routines. Try these useful tips and significantly reduce the adverse effect on the environment. Get in touch for eco-friendly laundry service in London.