Simple Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Washing Machine
Considered as a extremely pedestrian chore, washing clothes has a huge impact on the planet. This is because laundry requires a lot of water and energy usage. According to Energy Star, an average household does almost 400 loads of laundry each year which consumes more than 13,500 gallons of water. That is why it is important to switch to Energy-efficient appliance because they are capable of saving more than 7,000 gallons of water per year. In addition, a good energy-efficient washing machine is capable of saving a lot of money in operating costs as well.
In other words, this means that if you have purchased your machine more than 10 years ago, it is time to look for a replacement soon. The tips given below are just the tip of the iceberg and there are many things that you can do to reduce the carbon footprint caused by laundry activities. Further, it goes without saying that a green lifestyle is better for your wardrobe, wallet and planet. Some of the tips include the following:
Wear clothes more than once: The simplest way to reduce laundry costs is to do less of it. Wearing clothes more than once before washing them can go a long way in reducing your laundry expenditure. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, some steps like wearing your jeans at least three times, washing them in cold water, and skipping the dryer or the iron can result in the consumption of five times less energy than normal.
Use detergents that are eco-friendly: Normal detergents contain ingredients that are not good for the clothes or the environment. When the water that contains these detergents end up in the drain, they cause more pollution and damage. Keep a look out for phosphates in laundry soaps and do not buy them as they can cause algal blooms that affect the ecosystems and marine life in a negative manner. So always look for detergents and soaps that are eco-friendly in nature and ensure that the labels indicate that the product is easily biodegradable and phosphate-free, and made from plant- and vegetable-based ingredients (instead of petroleum-based), which means they're healthier for the planet, from production to rinse cycle. Another good idea is to replace fabric softener with vinegar that can be added to the washer during the rinse cycle. Vinegar naturally balances the pH of soap, leaving your clothes soft and free of chemical residue.
If you are buying a new model, choose a washing machine that suits your needs perfectly: There are generally two types of washing machines namely front loading and top loading. The front loading model is further divided into two sub-categories namely semi-automatic and fully automatic.
A semi-automatic model has two separate tubs or vessels for washing and drying. This means that there are different timers to control the washing and drying periods. A fully automatic washing machine on the other hand has only tub that serves as the washer, rinser as well as the drier. Depending on the number or weight of clothes, the machine uses specified amounts of water and detergent automatically and sets the timer for wash and drying without any manual intervention. It is very important that you figure out which models suits your needs the best, and after that compare prices and reviews of different brands so that you can select one that minimizes energy costs effectively.
Minimize the use of dryer: Do not use the dryer unless absolutely necessary. Not using a dryer will really reduce the amount of energy being used in the laundry process. In addition, clothes last longer when you dry them outside as there is less wear and tear as compared to a dryer. In case, you still wish to use the dryer, make sure that you clean the lint filter regularly because this will help increase the efficiency and reduce the duration of drying time as well. If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it as this will automatically reduce the amount of drying time or shut off the machine when it senses that clothes are dry. This in turn reduces wear and tear on your clothes and saves lots of energy.
In conclusion, frequent usage of washing machine can sometimes be inevitable but the simple tips given above can go a long way in decreasing the environmental damage and carbon footprint.
In other words, this means that if you have purchased your machine more than 10 years ago, it is time to look for a replacement soon. The tips given below are just the tip of the iceberg and there are many things that you can do to reduce the carbon footprint caused by laundry activities. Further, it goes without saying that a green lifestyle is better for your wardrobe, wallet and planet. Some of the tips include the following:
Wear clothes more than once: The simplest way to reduce laundry costs is to do less of it. Wearing clothes more than once before washing them can go a long way in reducing your laundry expenditure. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, some steps like wearing your jeans at least three times, washing them in cold water, and skipping the dryer or the iron can result in the consumption of five times less energy than normal.
Use detergents that are eco-friendly: Normal detergents contain ingredients that are not good for the clothes or the environment. When the water that contains these detergents end up in the drain, they cause more pollution and damage. Keep a look out for phosphates in laundry soaps and do not buy them as they can cause algal blooms that affect the ecosystems and marine life in a negative manner. So always look for detergents and soaps that are eco-friendly in nature and ensure that the labels indicate that the product is easily biodegradable and phosphate-free, and made from plant- and vegetable-based ingredients (instead of petroleum-based), which means they're healthier for the planet, from production to rinse cycle. Another good idea is to replace fabric softener with vinegar that can be added to the washer during the rinse cycle. Vinegar naturally balances the pH of soap, leaving your clothes soft and free of chemical residue.
If you are buying a new model, choose a washing machine that suits your needs perfectly: There are generally two types of washing machines namely front loading and top loading. The front loading model is further divided into two sub-categories namely semi-automatic and fully automatic.
A semi-automatic model has two separate tubs or vessels for washing and drying. This means that there are different timers to control the washing and drying periods. A fully automatic washing machine on the other hand has only tub that serves as the washer, rinser as well as the drier. Depending on the number or weight of clothes, the machine uses specified amounts of water and detergent automatically and sets the timer for wash and drying without any manual intervention. It is very important that you figure out which models suits your needs the best, and after that compare prices and reviews of different brands so that you can select one that minimizes energy costs effectively.
Minimize the use of dryer: Do not use the dryer unless absolutely necessary. Not using a dryer will really reduce the amount of energy being used in the laundry process. In addition, clothes last longer when you dry them outside as there is less wear and tear as compared to a dryer. In case, you still wish to use the dryer, make sure that you clean the lint filter regularly because this will help increase the efficiency and reduce the duration of drying time as well. If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it as this will automatically reduce the amount of drying time or shut off the machine when it senses that clothes are dry. This in turn reduces wear and tear on your clothes and saves lots of energy.
In conclusion, frequent usage of washing machine can sometimes be inevitable but the simple tips given above can go a long way in decreasing the environmental damage and carbon footprint.
Source...