Green and Frugal Laundry
I admit that I like modern conveniences. When I read about people living off the grid, I find it intriguing, but not something that I want to really try. I also like soft fluffy laundry that’s fully dry rather than damp laundry. However, I also want to try various practices that are more ecologically sound, in terms of using less harmful chemicals, and less energy and waste. I also find that many green and frugal practices for the laundry help to maintain the quality of the clothes longer. And, did you know that the clothes dryer is typically the second most energy using device in most US households after the refrigerator? With a green-and-frugal hat on, here are some things to consider for the laundry:
–Use a clothes line or rack to dry clothes if practical. If you want the fresh-out-of the dryer feeling, use the dryer for the last few minutes.
–Research the energy efficiency of your appliances before buying a new one. Many appliances these days are made much more energy efficient than their older counterparts. The differences from one appliance to another can make a huge difference.
–Use an ecologically friendly detergent, one that doesn’t contain phosphates. Several people have recommended adding a small amount of white vinegar to the rinse to help freshen the laundry and reduce soap residue.
–Use the coldest water setting that works for you. Most detergents today work well in cold water.
–Set the dryer on an auto-detect setting to shut off when the clothes are dry. If you are using a dryer, most people over-estimate the time for drying cycles.
Any other green and frugal tips for laundry? I have not tried making homemade laundry soap, but would be interested in how others found the experience.
see additional green and frugal posts
see other hints at Works for Me Wednesday
I make my own laundry detergent, the quick and easy powdered type. I’ve also just started using an oxygen whitener from EcoStore USA. All of this, including an EcoStore USA review and giveaway, is on my blog if you’re interested in reading it.
These are all good tips! I wash almost all laundry in cool water. I still wash sheets, towels, and other whites in hot or warm water, though.
I hate using my dryer and so I am so happy once the sun comes out and I can air dry my clothes. they dry quicker, they smell better, i use less electricity, I win all round.
So my advice to those who can air dry is make the change, you really will notice the difference in your purse and in your clothes.
Hi Melissa, I’ll read more about the oxygen whiteners.
Hi Kate, bright sunshine is a great natural bleach.
Thanks to both of you for commenting!
we use green cleaners in the wash and love our clothesline (especially for cloth diapers), but i’m still trying to track down washing soda so i can try out homemade laundry detergent, too.
I also have the oxygen whitener and love it for when I air dry my clothes
i love biokleen laundry detergent, i got a great deal on amazon in december for four boxes and just opened my second box!
i really wish i was allowed to line dry my clothes. our homes association is very against it. which totally bums me out.
Suzannah, keep us posted on the homemade detergent. I’ve heard that pool supply places may have sodium carbonate (washing soda), or the Arm & Hammer website may have suggestions of where to find it.
Courtney, will look at the biokleen. Hope the home owners association becomes more responsive.
Thanks for the comments.
I found your site through Canadian Dream: Free at 45 today, and it’s really neat! I love the layout, and you’ve got some fantastic content from what I’ve read so far!
I subscribed to the RSS feed, but I’ve had to unsubscribe already as it’s not a full feed. What’s the point? Lack of full feeds is probably turning away some people from being readers at all, sadly.
I’ll be around, if my other blogs link to you again, but I generally only read through feeds.
Good luck!
Hi Caitlin, I need to spend some time thinking about the feeds issue, which I have frankly ignored given the irregular services of things like feedburner and bloglines, but I will take into consideration your point. Thanks for stopping by.
We don’t live in a subdivision, so I can hang my laundry without compunction. It’s great to get out in the sunshine!
Aiming4Simple, good for you. Hopefully more HOA’s will start to catch on as well.
I’ve tried in the past to make my own detergent, but to be honest, it’s kind of a pain running around gathering all of the ingredients. My friend suggested I try Grab Green. It’s really cool – the detergent comes in these tiny packets that dissolve in water. I think it has fabric softener in it already too, which saves me an extra step. Now if only I could find a solution for folding all of my clean clothes, I’d be set! Oh, forgot to mention that I haven’t seen it in the stores yet, only on the website: grabgreenhome.com
Kaitlyn, I just skip the neat folding a lot of times
. Thanks for sharing, will look at the website.
Your tips are really good – if just more people would do them!
And be sure to look at the big picture. The new front-loading horizontal drum washing machines not only use less water, but they do not need hot water at all. Actually modern detergents are made to work in cold water.
Ans the new frontloading washers spin the clothes SO FAST that they come out almost dry! Then just put those ‘almost dry’ clothes on a clothes drying rack like this one that is set up under a ceiling fan and you will have saved a ton of energy by not using the clothes dryer at all. With a rack you can dry clothes for free outside when it’s dry out and inside when it’s cold or damp.
Hi Nicky, great point on the new front loading washers. Thanks for the comment!
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