Going Eco Friendly In The Laundry Room
Image by Grant MacDonald via Flickr
One of the hidden places in our homes that we can be more eco friendly is often the laundry room. Small changes in this room can make a big difference. Here are a few green tips:
- Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. Also, make sure your machine is set to always rinse in cold.
- Set your washer to the appropriate water level for the size of your load. If you have a small load, don’t run your washer set for the largest load possible.
- After every load, clean the lint filter in your dryer. (This can save your house from catching on fire too!)
- Use the “Automatic” instead of the “Timed” setting on your dryer.
- Install a clothesline in your backyard and dry your clothes for free! (I live in Chicago, so trust me when I say I completely get it if you can’t do this all the time – like in the winter with 3 feet of snow!)
- When shopping for your next washing machine, consider a front loading washer that cuts hot water use by 60%-70%. Even if you don’t get a front loader, make sure your new machine carries the Energy Star rating to certify that it uses less energy than standard models.
- Watch the ingredient list for your detergents. Less is more, and if your detergent has a bunch of chemicals you’ve never heard of, it is time to find another detergent that is more eco friendly.
Do you have any eco friendly laundry room tips?
For more eco friendly ideas, visit our Green Tips section.
About Lisa
Lisa Martin is a native of Wisconsin but now resides in the Chicago area with her husband and two children ages 6 and 3. Lisa started blogging in April of 2006, as a means of keeping in touch with long-distance family and friends. After experiencing some personal issues in July of the same year, she learned she could help others with her experiences…through blogging. Lisa now discusses all of life’s issues while managing her four blog: My Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings; Lisa Reviews; Lisa Cooking; and Lisa’s Travels.
Lisa has participated in several exclusive media projects, including the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event in April of 2008, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event in April 2009, a yacht ride with Lands End in July 2009, and 1-800-Baskets in October 2009. In addition to these personal appearances, Lisa’s blog has also been quoted in The New York Times and she has been interviewed by the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside. She also spoke on the doterati panel Blog Marketing Demystified in October 2009. In 2010, she was invited to a blogger exclusive Mrs. Prindable’s tour and was also invited to The International Housewares Show. She also is a Feld Family Ambassador.
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Well, no, I don’t have any tips. However, I know my mom follows many of those. We used to have a clothesline in our backyard. However, there are pine trees there now and it snows in the winter here.
We follow most of your tips. we no longer have a clothesline, since we have more dirt than grass in our yard anything on the line got dirty from the wind before it dried!
I always love your post as they are so informative. I’m a huge cold water washer!!
Thanks for sharing.
Im a green clean clothes washing machine
I do all the tips you listed and I also make my own “green” detergents.
I always wash in cold water, but just read that hard water may not wash out the laundry detergent.