Eco-friendly Laundry: 5 Ways to Reduce Your Impact on Nature
By following an eco-friendly lifestyle, we take care of the environment, preserve our own health and save the budget. Contrary to stereotypes, it can be quite easy to introduce ecology into your usual everyday affairs. Eco-friendly laundry is not only about organic detergent. In this article, we have collected small but effective tips with which you can make the care of things really safe.
Lower the water temperature
One of the easiest ways to increase the environmental friendliness of washing is to set a lower temperature regime. Imagine that by reducing the temperature by only 10 ° C, you can save up to 30% of electricity. A significant step, isn't it? It is also important that this action does not affect the quality of washing in any way: those impurities that the machine could not wash off at 30 ° C, it does not wash off at 40 ° C. In addition, hotter water can spoil the appearance of things, lead to shrinkage and fading.
Give up constant machine drying
The opportunity to put on warm soft bath towels directly from the dryer is one of the little joys that modern civilization has given us, but, unfortunately, you have to pay for such comfort. However, do not worry: we will not force you to completely abandon the use of the dryer. It is enough to simply reduce the time of machine drying by giving up 1-2 additional cycles. If you get the laundry slightly wet and let it dry naturally, you will not only reduce your energy bill, but also increase the service life of things and simplify ironing!
Another important detail is the rejection of chemical conditioners and fabric softeners. Most industrial products contain unpleasant chemicals that are harmful to both your skin and the environment. Special reusable wool balls, which can be found in any hardware store, will easily cope with the task and provide your bedding sets with impeccable softness. And if you want to give things a special flavor, you can put a few drops of essential oil on them before putting them in the machine.
Give up synthetic fabrics
Every time you wash synthetic clothes made of polyester, acrylic or nylon, thousands of microscopic pieces of plastic (thinner than a human hair) they are washed off with water when rinsing, fall into the ocean and are swallowed by marine life. Researchers have already discovered these fibers in all parts of the globe, from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the Arctic tundra.
The most reasonable solution in such a situation is to reduce the use of synthetic fabrics and switch to textiles made of natural materials. Organic cotton and flax do not pollute the environment, because the plant fibers from which textiles are created are processed without waste! In our online shop you can buy textiles made of 100% natural linen, and all the materials from which our products are made - from fabric fibers to buttons - are hypoallergenic and safe.
Another way to deal with synthetic fibers is the use of special laundry bags that do not allow even the smallest plastic particles to pass through. Although filter bags will not solve the problem of pollution completely, it will definitely reduce the amount of harmful substances entering the ocean.
Try using natural products for washing
Washing powders, stain removers and conditioners are very toxic cleaning products full of artificial ingredients that sometimes it is even impossible to pronounce! Fortunately, your kitchen cabinet is full of alternative products that are environmentally friendly and safe for the skin.
- Table vinegar is an excellent stain and odor remover that treats natural fabrics with care and is much safer to use than chlorine-based bleach. Try to soak the soiled things for half an hour in a diluted mixture (1 cup of vinegar per 10 liters of water), and then pass them through a cold washing cycle.
- Mustard powder is a simple tool with which you can economically and safely wash off any dirt. When machine washing, it is necessary to pour 50 grams of dry mustard into the drum and choose a cool water temperature (30-40). Stains are washed just fine, and things after washing smell of real natural freshness.
- Soap nuts. Indian soap nuts can be easily purchased online. They do not need to be boiled and processed. Just put a canvas bag of nuts in the washing machine.
Load the full washing machine
The washing machine consumes the same amount of water and electricity regardless of the load, so washing two T-shirts at a time is absolutely unecological. Save yourself from unnecessary hassle, and the environment from additional costs - wait for a full laundry basket before you start washing. Eco-friendly washing will help not only to make friends with nature, but also to preserve the beautiful appearance of your things.