5 Sustainable Laundry Tips

We’ve all had moments when we decide to adopt more sustainable lifestyle choices - composting organics, turning on the AC sparingly, taking shorter showers, taking public transport instead of the car. However there is one unassuming aspect of daily life that environmental impacts may have been overlooked - Laundry.

As consumers, our post-purchase choices when it comes to our clothing can have a significant collective impact upon our environmental footprint. The exponential growth of ‘fast fashion’ has highlighted that consumers consider apparel more disposable today compared to any other period in human history – a recent McKinsey analysis found that “people keep clothing for just half as long as they did 15 years ago. Some estimates suggest that consumers treat the lowest-priced garments as nearly disposable, discarding them after just seven or eight wears”. Aside from this ‘fast fashion’ mentality, inefficient laundering habits also lend itself to unnecessary energy and water consumption - a double whammy for Earth.

Approaching garment care in a more sustainable way can go a long way to reducing our environmental impact without comprising on health and personal hygiene. Here are a few ways to make your laundry routine greener and kinder to the planet.

1. Wash your laundry in cooler temperatures

You may already be aware that taking long hot showers is less eco-friendly than taking shorter and cooler showers - not to mention that hot water can dry out and irritate your skin. That same logic applies to your laundry. In fact, laundry detergent manufacturer Procter & Gamble’s calculations, based on data from UK-based Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), suggest that washing clothes at 30C uses about 40% as much energy as washing clothes at 40C. Furthermore, GE Appliances estimates that 75 to 90 percent of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, so a simple switch to a cool wash can lower your utility and still give your clothes an exceptional clean. Exposing garments to hot tub-level temperatures, too, can put unnecessary stress on clothing fibres and drastically shorten their lifespan.

2. Wear it more than once

Now this tip doesn't apply for everything (unmentionables and socks come to mind), but the simplest way to cut back on your laundry's impact is to just do less of it. Wearing your clothes more than once before tossing them in the dirty pile is the first step in greening your laundry habits. I know I’ve been guilty of wearing a fresh pair of jeans for a grocery run only to throw them into the “too dirty” laundry basket upon return. In reality, I knew I could have worn them again. The United Nations Environment Programme crunched the numbers and discovered that you can consume up to five times less energy by wearing your jeans at least three times, washing them in cold water, and skipping the dryer or the iron. Step it up a notch and only run your washer when you have a full load which not only reduces your total water consumption but also electricity and detergents too.

3. Avoid shedding microplastics

This is an interesting one - microplastics, tiny particles of plastic less than 5mm in length, are a big problem for marine life. According to the International Institute of Sustainable Development, a portion of the microplastic concentration in our oceans comes from laundry wastewater, presumably from loads that contain synthetic fabrics like nylon, acrylic and fleece. Following Tip #1 will also reduce the volume of microplastics released from your laundry.

To cut down on your microplastic impact, consider purchasing a wash bag that can capture these fibers in the wash. Alternatively, educate yourself on the types of fabrics that typically contain microplastics and adjust your purchasing habits accordingly.

Mesh Wash Bag to capture loose laundry fibres

4. Smarter and more sustainable fabric care products

Conventional detergents can contain ingredients that aren't particular good for you, your clothes, or aquatic ecosystems where some of our grey water may end up. Phosphates in conventional laundry soaps can cause algal blooms that negatively effect ecosystems and marine life. To shop for more eco-friendly detergents, look for labels that indicate a product is readily biodegradable and phosphate-free, and made from plant- and vegetable-based ingredients (instead of petroleum-based), which means they're kinder for the planet, from production to rinse cycle. Fabric softeners, by the way, can be replaced by a cap of white vinegar added to the washer during the rinse cycle. Vinegar naturally balances the pH of soap, leaving your clothes soft and free of chemical residue.

5. Visit your laundromat

This is where we come into the picture. Laundromats typically use commercial washers and dryers which tend to be more efficient than domestic versions, so taking your clothes to a local laundromat may ultimately reduce your carbon footprint. If you drop your laundry off (or have it picked up) for service, ask the cleaner what detergents they use and if it’s possible to use more eco-friendly detergents. At Flow Laundry, our commercial-grade washers and dryers are highly resource efficient and we also use a biodegradable and eco-friendly laundry detergent (GECA certified) made from renewable plant resources.

Flow Laundry is a member of 1% for the Planet. We are committed to donating 1% of our revenue (not “profit”) to making earth a cleaner and kinder planet. Our pledge to provide 1% of revenue sits within our broader ethos to do business better. So every time you Flow with us you’re doing the Earth a small favour.