A Quick Guide to an Eco-Friendly Laundry Service

The easiest solution is to wash in less time. Obviously, underwear and socks should be washed after each use. And think jeans, jackets and sweaters. You can easily wear them at least twice before throwing them in the trash. Reducing your laundry load can have a big impact on your environmental footprint. Washing jeans ten times instead of every two reduces energy consumption, climate change impact and water consumption by 80% as found in the research. Some people also follow the pack.

Replace the plastic container with other green items

It is estimated that UK households throw away 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging a year, averaging 66 items per household per week. Only 30% is recycled, the rest ends up in landfills or clogs oceans and waterways. These sinks do nothing more than hold soap for a short period of time. We request you not buy plastic bottles or buy it once, save the bottle and refill it often. Many free-throw stores offer a station with liquid soap.

You can also ditch plastic bottles altogether and replace them with low-impact alternatives. There are many interesting options available in the market these days.

Make DIY laundry detergent

Another great green option for sustainable laundry is the vinegar used commonly in the household! Simply pour half a cup of distilled white vinegar into the washing machine instead of traditional laundry detergent or softener. Increase the level by adding soda for extra energy. The vinegar is white, and bright and makes clothes soft. We are also crazy about meat, especially soap. These are dried berry shells from the trees of the Himalayas. All natural, chemical-free and gentle, these seeds contain saponins and soap chemicals that create a beautiful lather when stirred in hot water. Soap is also known to be toxic, toxic, and a powerful irritant to chemical cleaners. Castile soap is an alternative laundry solution. It is a vegetable soap, gentle on the skin and clothes. It is also natural, non-toxic and biodegradable.

Wash in cold water 

The science is in: washing clothes in cold water is just as effective as washing them in hot water for everyday wear, say people at Harvard University.

Cold is good for the planet and also for your wallet. Since 90% of the energy in a washing machine is used to heat water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Cold water will not shrink clothes, it prevents bleeding in the colour and helps your clothes last longer. A win-win for sustainable laundry. Washing clothes in cold water can remove many stains, some (like blood and sweat) even better than hot water.

Wash a full load 

Make sure your machine is running at its best by filling the washer to the recommended capacity - that's about three-quarters full in most cases. If you cannot fill it, use the "load size selector" option (some machines have it) to adjust the water level and load size.

There are other unexpected benefits of washing a full load. They have been shown to reduce the release of microfibers due to less moisture in the fabric, according to researchers at Northumbria University. 

Consider a microfiber filter 

Wondering what are microfibers? These are the plastic particles that synthetic clothes leave as a residue when they are squeezed and twisted in the washing machine. Wastewater treatment plants don't catch it, so they end up in our oceans and land, damaging our environment and our health. One solution that stops about 90% of microfibers is the Planet Microfiber filter. The filter is easy to install and doesn't require any sophisticated technology: all you have to do is simply put the filter on the outside of the washing machine or a nearby wall.

Use a smaller wash cycle and fewer spins

Washing on a low cycle is another important step to achieving a sustainable system. A cycle time of 30 minutes at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) is "much better" for your clothes than 85 minutes at 40 degrees (104 degrees Fahrenheit), as found in research at the University of Leeds. A short, cold cycle also reduces microfiber damage - by 52%. 

Sun dry your clothes



Dryers are power guzzlers on steroids. If you can, dry your clothes the old-fashioned way, hang them on a clothesline and let the sun and wind work their magic. If air cleaning is not an option, consider an electric heater - they are more expensive at first but, compared to traditional cleaners, are more efficient and can save you a lot of money on energy bills. 

Choose a wool-drying ball 

Your dryer sheets are single-use, non-recyclable, and full of toxic chemicals. Wool balls are the best option. They will reduce static and wrinkles, make clothes softer and help them dry faster. Spray them with some essential oils to give the clothes a heavenly fragrance. 

Consider the front loader machine

Front-load washing machines use about 7,500 litres less water per year, compared to their top-loading machine. Front loaders can also help you save a lot of energy. First, by using less water - which means less work for the heaters - and, secondly, by using a faster rotation system. This means that the front carriers get more water out of your clothes, so they don't have to spend as much time in the dryer.

Yes, front carriers are often more expensive than top-loader carriers, but, in the end, the money is worth it. 

Think carefully about dry cleaning 

A common dry cleaning process involves soaking clothes in a strong perchloroethylene (perc, for short) solvent, a potential carcinogen that is also used as an iron cleaner.

An easy alternative to dry cleaning is to wash hard fabrics but with more care and gentleness. Some clothes can be hand washed with mild detergents in the environment, for example. Also consider using a special bag, switching to a soft cycle type, or using liquid silicone and CO2 cleaning for a stronger removal. 

Reuse the water for eco-friendly laundry

This is a more "radical" idea but it can be done very well: don't let all the wastewater go down the drain. If you are a gardener, for example, you can manually put the water in a bucket before putting it into the sewage system. Of course, you should first use a chemical-free cleaner and perhaps a greywater filter that captures lint and other impurities. For a complete guide to sustainable living, you can stay tuned. So here are our green eco frienldy laundry tips for sustainable laundry: wash less water, use cold water, and eco-friendly detergents, dry your clothes and consider washing machines and dryers.