Four quick greener laundry tips

Yep – “going green” is all around us, with tons of tips on how to better ourselves and aid the environment at the same time. Here are five easy ways to do your laundry a little more sustainably – just short of washing them by hand.

Go for front loaders
This newer style of front-loading washing machines cause less wear and wash more effectively than their top-loading friends of the past. They also use less water, and those that have the Energy Star logo tend to use 18 to 25 gallons per load, compared to 40+ that the top loading variety consumes.

Go for the cold

Regardless of your washing machine, one of the best methods you can take is using cold water. About 90% of energy used for washing clothes is based on heating the water. According to the Switch To Cold website, you can save up to $100 a year by switching to cold water washing.

Forgo the Fabric Softener

Chemicals and toxins found in dryer sheets and fabric softeners are a poor choice for your skin, health and the environment. Try this technique instead: use 1/2 cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle, which naturally balances the soap’s pH, leaving clothes soft and residue-free.

Hang it

Perhaps the most obvious of them all, skipping the dryer can drastically reduce your energy use, but sometimes, putting jeans up to dry results in stiff, immobile denims. The solution? Toss the jeans in the dryer for about five minutes, then hang for the rest of the time – it’s enough to take out the wrinkles and keep them soft, but also cost-effective and mother nature friendly.