Yes, you can have clean laundry and help the environment. You can even save some money. And no, you do not have to grab your soap nuts, go beat your laundry down on the riverbank and hang your clothes on the nearest tree. If you are interested in the evolution of laundry here is a fascinating article.

The main environmental concerns from doing laundry are the uses of water and electricity, greenhouse gas emissions, waste produced from all the packaging and the release of chemicals into out water and air.

I have never used fabric softener. My clothes are quite soft and I don’t want them to smell strongly of anything. My journey to earth-friendly laundry started quite young because I have very sensitive/allergic skin. Fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate and it’s family (used to increase lather in many products), formaldehyde (in facial tissues, permanent press fabrics, some fabric softeners) are some of the things that will cause a reaction. I am always hesitant to add in something that might irritate. I saw no need for fabric softener. It was just something else someone was trying to sell me. I also learned that overusing fabric softener results in product coating the fibers of your clothing and making them flammable! As well overuse can lead to a greasy feel and degrade fibers over time. Experts don’t recommend softeners on towels, workout wear, particularly wicking fabrics. Read more about that here.

I have not bought bleach (Sodium hypochlorite) in many years. It is a known irritant of skin, eyes and throats. It can release dangerous compounds when combined with other cleaning products. As it breaks down in the environment it combines with other elements to create organochlorines, which are suspected to cause cancer. I use hydrogen peroxide or vinegar to brighten clothes. Here is a deeper dive into the problems with bleach.

As I did research for this article something that came up frequently was the number of large containers going to the landfill. Not only detergent bottles but fabric softener and bleach. An overwhelming number of experts state that we’re using too much product. The ‘recommended’ amounts are larger than necessary. I have always used less than half of the suggested amount. I do the same with dishwashing liquid: I have an empty bottle, fill it about 1/4 from the new bottle and then fill with water. I still get great suds for those dishes that need handwashing. In laundry I have started using the fabric strips, which comes in an envelope the size of letter. For smaller loads I cut the strip in half.

Did you know there is a laundry evangelist? His name is Patric Richardson, he’s had a show on HGTV and a best-selling book. Vodka to remove stains, who knew? Patric is a big fan of newer washing machines with an express cycle. He recommends warm water, short cycle or wait until you have enough clothes for a full load. I have always washed in cold water, with great results. Stats say that 60% of the energy washing machines use is needed to heat the water. He believes that we can get more wear out of our clothes before washing. I agree totally; my partner and I have ‘go to town’ clothes and ‘kicking around the house’ clothes. If you’ve just gone for dinner with friends, had the clothes on for a couple of hours they do not need to be cleaned (unless you spilled). Here’s Patric Richardson’s top five tips. Many clothes labelled ‘Dry Clean’ can be laundered, check his blog.

The dryer is the second largest consumer of power in your home, second only to the fridge. Patric and I both use felted wool dryer balls instead of disposable sheets. I got mine on Etsy and love them. Of course, hanging clothes outside is the most environmentally friendly. Even people with a balcony can use drying racks or the retractable laundry lines.

Can you see a way to make your laundry more eco-friendly? Would love to hear your hacks in the comments.