In today’s world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of our minds, it’s essential to consider the impact of our daily habits. One area often overlooked is laundry. While most of us are aware of the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling, there are many sustainable tips for washing clothes that we can incorporate into our routines to make a positive difference for the planet.
Have you ever wondered about the impact of your laundry routine on (our oh, so dear) planet Earth? While most of us are already using the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” principle. It’s simply not enough to take care of our natural surroundings. From using eco-friendly laundry detergents to avoiding unsustainable clothing brands. Also there are plenty of sustainable laundry practices that can be incorporated into our everyday routine to make a bigger difference.
Do less laundry
Did you know that simply wearing your jeans at least three times before washing them can have a highly positive impact on climate change? According to the UN Environment Programme, doing less laundry is essential to take care of both your clothing and the planet. It not only reduces the environmental impact of laundry but also helps in preserving your clothing for years to come.
Unless there are visible stains on your garments, you can try airing them out or giving quick steam to make them feel clean, and fresh without facing the rough and tumble of laundry cycles. These solutions are much easier than actually washing your clothing and can make them look and feel good.
Use eco-friendly products
When you do wash your clothing, leave out all extra chemicals like fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and those in-wash fragrance boosters. These products emit toxic ingredients such as “acetone” and “ethanol” into the air which can harm you and the local air quality. The result? Wheezing, coughing, migraines, skin and eye infections, and much more. Not only this, but softeners are also known to have “phthalates” likely endocrine disruptors related to damaging human hormonal systems including reproductive and developmental processes.
Moreover, for goodness’s sake, don’t ever add bleach to your laundry regime. Instead, opt for high-quality, biodegradable laundry detergents that are sustainable for the environment such as BIORESTORE cotton. Made of only six ingredients, this ecofriendly laundry detergent can remove lint and pilling and revive your clothing in only one home wash.
Speeding up your drying process
To speed up your drying process, it’s best to rely on natural and sustainable wool balls. They dry your clothing 40% quicker than the load that’s dried without them. This saves your clothing from excessive abrasion and also reduces power consumption. If you wish, you can also add essential oils of your choice for adding a sweet scent to your laundry. However, make sure to only use this method for towels and bed sheets less susceptible to pilling.
When you use these nontoxic products, you will not only be doing the environment a favor but also feel good about making your family wear the clothing washed and treated with only eco-friendly products. Plus, you will be happier knowing that the products you are using in your laundry are not chemicals or damaging the home or community’s air, water, and soil.
An extra thought: Using ecofriendly laundry detergents can be attractive & rewarding, but also helps you to be part of the trend of “sustainable fashion”, knowing that you can dazzle others by choosing better laundry products, and always flaunting clothing that looks, feels, and smells good.
Always choose a 30-minute washing cycle
The “express cycle” uses less water and electricity. Plus, you will get better results. Your washing machine is better able to rinse water through the clothing in a shorter cycle as compared to a long wash cycle. It delivers lesser lint into the water and the waterways. Moreover, the fast spin is easier on your fabrics, causing less abrasion than a slower cycle.
It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s a hundred percent true. Imagine the popular carnival ride known as “Gravitron” or the “Starship” which uses centrifugal force to pin riders to the sides of the circular drum as it spins faster and faster. Your washing machine works the same way! All the clothing (even the delicates) is pinned to the sides of the washer and the machine gets rid of excessive water.
Now, envision if the spin were slower. The clothing would start tumbling through the space, causing even more abrasion and resulting in much faster pilling. While you can use fabric care detergents such as BIORESTORE cotton to get rid of lint and pilling in the washing machine, remember, prevention is always better than cure.
Opt for line-drying
One of the best ways to address the effects of fast fashion is line drying. Just like picking up garbage during jogging (also named as “plogging”), hanging your clothing is an ecofriendly workout. One that helps you get fitter, and the environment feels better. Plus, you will be getting a nice dose of nature, like getting loads of sunshine and fresh air, boosting the oxygen levels in your body, and improving the serotonin levels to elevate your mood.
Extend the lifecycle of your garments
Your wardrobe can turn into your loyal companion for as long as you preserve it with care. This includes washing your textiles less often and ditching tumble-drying whenever you are not restricted by time or space. Think about your favorite sweater you just bought could look as good as brand new for six months…a year (…or even more!).
Well, it surely can. You will not only save money but also feel great every time you pull it on. Simply invest in a high-quality fabric pill remover that removes lint and pilling from your clothing. Also, make sure to use a mild detergent, one that cleans your clothing but does not strip away its original vibrancy and hand feel. To take this one step further and fully embrace the spirit of sustainable fashion, start shopping for secondhand clothes to build a great wardrobe at a fraction of the cost. Usually, if clothes have stains or pills on them, you can simply remove them and get a much better bargain. With the latest innovations such as BIORESTORE laundry detergent at your disposal, reviving secondhand or thrift clothing is no longer a challenging task.
