The laundry room is an easy place to start greening your home, as
it has only three major components: appliances, products, and clothing.
Yet this small room greatly impacts the water consumption and energy
use of the home. Taking the following quiz will let you know if you are
on the right track toward a sustainable laundry room.Laundry Room Checklist
- Do you have an energy efficient washer/dryer?
- Are you washing more loads with cold water?
- Are your products sustainable?
- Are your clothes made of natural fibers?
- Are you using alternative cleaning methods between large loads
- BONUS: Have you changed the lighting?
If you answered no to any of these questions, keep reading about why these are necessary changes and how you can make the switch a greener, healthier laundry room.
Top loading are cheaper initially but the larger capacity of front loading washers make them more energy efficient over time. Larger capacity means fewer loads, fewer loads mean less water used. Additionally, top loaders need enough water to cover the clothes, while the horizontal design of a front loading machine doesn't require a machine full of water.
The Solution: If you can purchase an Energy Star front-loading washer, then do so. As for dryers, purchasing a dryer with a moisture sensor conserves energy, instead of continually drying dry clothes. Cleaning the lint trap improves circulation and energy use.
2. Are you washing more loads with cold water?
90% of the energy use to wash a load of water comes from heat.
The Solution:
By washing some of your loads in cold water, you can save money and conserve water. Of course, hot water should be used when necessary to kill germs. White vinegar also kills bacteria.
3. Are your products sustainable? Personal health and environmental health are both heavily connected to the products we favor.
Detergent:
Detergents
contain many harmful chemicals that adversely affect both you and the
environment. Due to trade-secret laws, cleaner manufacturers don't have
to disclose their ingredients; however, the following chemicals are
used often in many detergents:
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants that belong to a class of hormone-disrupting compounds called alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). These are inexpensive, which makes them a popular choice, but derived from petroleum. When loose into the environment, these NPE's break down into nonylphenol, which is harmful to fish and difficult to eliminate during water treatment.
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS)( labeled as anionic surfactants) are used often in conjunction with NPEs. This surfectant strips oxygen from the water.
In detergents, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and optical brighteners are commonly used for added appeal, but can also result in asthma attacks, rashes, and other respiratory problems.* HeadachesThe Solution: Seventh Generation and Method both make eco-friendly products that may cost a little lore than your leading detergent brands. However, the high concentration level yields a larger number of loads and evens out the initial cost. Or you can make your own detergents and softeners with natural occurring products like borax, glisterine, vinegar, and water. Adding essential oil to this mixture will provide you with a pleasing scent. For DIY recipes visit thesimpledollar.com and tipnut.com.
* Nausea
* Dizziness
* Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
Bleach Alternatives: Chlorine reacts with environmental organic matter, creating harmful organochlorines that damage the earth's ozone layer an weaken vital bodily functions like your immune system. They also damage the earth's ozone layer.
The Solution:
You can eliminate stains with a pasty homemade concoction of Borax and
water. White vinegar also brightens clothing. then again, natural,
ready made stain removers are always with retail's reach.
4. Are your clothes made of natural fibers?
Synthetic fibers often cause static cling and require more water and chemicals to create. Cotton. Hemp. Linen. Choose organic fibers that have been harvested humanely.
5. Are you using alternative cleaning methods between large loads? Hand-washing a selection of clothing can preserve the life of your garments and be easier on water and energy levels in your home. By drying clothing on the rack, or removing slightly damp clothing from the dryer to line dry, you also conserve energy and increase the life span of the clothing. According to StopGlobalWarming.org, line drying your clothes can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide from escaping in the air each year.
4. Are your clothes made of natural fibers?
Synthetic fibers often cause static cling and require more water and chemicals to create. Cotton. Hemp. Linen. Choose organic fibers that have been harvested humanely.
5. Are you using alternative cleaning methods between large loads? Hand-washing a selection of clothing can preserve the life of your garments and be easier on water and energy levels in your home. By drying clothing on the rack, or removing slightly damp clothing from the dryer to line dry, you also conserve energy and increase the life span of the clothing. According to StopGlobalWarming.org, line drying your clothes can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide from escaping in the air each year.
The Solution: Purchase a drying rack or set up clothing line in your back yard. Read labels to see which pieces should be hand washed.
6. Have you changed the lighting? This is a minor detail, but still important. Simply replace your florescent bulb with an energy conserving bulb, and you're done!
Start
where you can! Even if you just purchased a new top-loading washer and
dryer, you can still employ good habits by purchasing the proper
products and only doing full loads. 6. Have you changed the lighting? This is a minor detail, but still important. Simply replace your florescent bulb with an energy conserving bulb, and you're done!
For more information and laundry tips, consider the following resources:
removing toxins from your life via the laundry room, and finally, the five best eco-friendly laundry reviews.
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