Did you know that 90 percent of the energy used in a laundry cycle goes toward heating the water?
If you need more cold-water convincing, listen up: It tends to be better for your clothes! Washing clothes in warm or hot water can cause them to shrink or their colors to fade, because heat breaks down dyes. So, the color and structure of your clothes is likely to last longer in cold water.
Looking for other ways to make your laundry more eco-friendly? Wait until you have a full load of laundry to run the washing machine. You’ll conserve water by reducing the number of times you wash your clothes. (And if your laundry is coin-operated, you may even save yourself a few dollars.)
Remember that you can also use a shorter wash cycle to clean delicates. And if you really want to be energy-efficient, skip the dryer and use a drying rack instead.
- If you’re in the market for new appliances, investing in an energy-efficient option can make a great impact on your wallet and the environment!
- Skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets! Studies suggest they’re not great for our health or the environment.
- Squeee! These hedgehog dryer balls will fluff, separate and eliminate static in the dryer—a happy alternative to traditional fabric softeners or dryer sheets.