Making small and big eco-friendly choices around the house is a priority that's near to my heart. Seeing as laundry is a reasonably simple task, taking steps to improve how you do laundry is an easy place to start. Here are five ways to turn your laundry routine into a more sustainable practice.
Small steps, big results
Caring for the environment is an important part of my life. I'm a big believer that every step counts, no matter how small.
1 | Use dryer balls
It's been years since I used dryer sheets. Now, I use dryer balls, which have multiple benefits, including reducing drying time and eliminating static. Plus, these dryer balls for more than 500 loads. In my opinion, that's $30 incredibly well spent. Here's a dryer hack: I like to add a few drops of essential oil to infuse my laundry with an incredible scent.
2 | Limit dryer use
Using the dryer too often increases your energy consumption—but you can skip using it after every wash. There are several sustainable alternatives to drying your clothes, for example, using a metal or wood hanger to let your laundry air dry. By reducing your dryer use, you'll help preserve the quality of your clothing—they won't get damaged by frequent use, and your garments will stay in top shape for a long time.
3 | Wash in cold water
Just like the dryer's heat, hot water can also damage your clothing, thus reducing their lifespans. But opting for a cold wash cycle is better for your clothing—and the environment. Beyond that, most detergents are formulated to be more effective at cleaning clothing in cold water, so there's nothing to worry about here.
4 | Use natural products
I tend to use an enormous amount of products every year for detergent, stain remover, and other household cleaning products that I always have on hand. Switching to natural, earth-friendly products is an easy and cost-effective solution to reduce my carbon footprint, as well as my wasteful habits both in and outside the home. Nowadays, natural products are so widely available—you can find them just about anywhere—so it's much easier than ever to have them on hand.
5 | Buy in bulk
This particular step goes hand in hand with the previous one. Because not only should you be buying natural products, but you should also consider them in bulk. This step alone can dramatically reduce your yearly plastic consumption. I don't know about you, but I hate seeing how many plastic bottles I consume without realizing it. Buying in bulk does require some effort on your part, as bulk items aren't as widely available as other formats, but believe me; this is well worth it.
When you stop to think about it, increasing the number of environmentally friendly actions in your routine is pretty simple and doesn't mean you have to change everything all at once. These five steps may seem small, but they're a significant leap towards perfecting—and developing in the long-term—greener laundry habits at home.
