How to green your laundry
Laundry including the washing, drying and dry cleaning of clothes has an impact on the environment. The detergents can end up in the sewage water system which can lead to aquatic toxicity and eutrophication, both of which effect flora and fauna of rivers and other fresh water eco systems. The use of washing machines and tumble dryers also has a significant carbon footprint and usually the energy that is used comes from unsustainable fossil fuels. Then there is the water that is used to wash laundry.
Most dry cleaning chemicals are petroleum based and these toxic chemicals are a potential health and ecological risk (if they end up in the water system). The majority of dry cleaners use a synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent known as perc (perchloroethylene). This is also a toxic air contaminant as classified by the EPA , a hazardous, potentially carcinogenic substance. It is also one of the main four contaminants found in drinking water. Perc has been banned in California and some American states.
Rather than avoiding washing your clothes , which might be good for the environment but not for your social life, here are a few suggestions to green your laundry.
- Wash you clothes at a lower temperature - this will use less energy to heat the water, so less fossil fuels and less Carbon dioxide emissions.
- Use enironmentally friendly detergents or alternatives to detergents - Ecoballs are a natural alternative to detergents. They do not contain residues and also a good alternative for sensitive skins.
- Air dry your clothes on a washing line or airer if possible
- Use Tumbler Balls if tumble drying instead of dry sheets or fabric softeners in your wash. They reduce dryer time by 25%.
- Where possible avoid dry cleaning - look at labels before you buy clothes and avoid those that must be dry cleaned. Some times you may be able to wash clothes that are labelled ‘dry clean’ on a delicate cycle.
- Use a environmentally friendly/ green dry cleaner - he two most environmentally methods of dry cleaning are wet cleaning and carbon dioxide cleaning. You could try eco dry cleaning.
picture from www.bynature.co.uk
Tags: detergent alternatives, green dry cleaning, green laundry
