One of the easiest places to make some green changes is the laundry room. Here are some tips to get started. 
- Wash laundry with cold water. Using hot water in the washing machine uses a lot of energy, and it’s not necessary. Soap and water will clean your clothes, regardless of temperature. Hot water is also harder on your clothes, so they’ll last longer if you wash them in cold water!
- Only wash full loads of laundry. If you wash a smaller load of laundry, your washing machine will use less water, but it will still use the same amount of energy to spin your clothes around. Washing full loads of laundry is more efficient, which means it’s better for the environment and your wallet.
- Hang your laundry outside. If you have some outdoor space where you can put in a clothesline, do it! It’ll save energy, save you money, and get you outside in the fresh air! If you don’t have outdoor space or if the weather isn’t right for hanging clothes out, you can hang clothes on a clotheshorse on a porch, in front of a breezy winter, or in front of a heater.
- Look for laundry detergent that’s biodegradable. According to the Environmental Working Group, the five greenest detergents are:
1. Seventh Generation Natural Powder Laundry Detergent, Real Citrus & Wild Lavender
2. Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap, Peppermint
3. Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap Baby Mild
4. Seventh Generation Natural Powder Laundry Detergent, White Flower & Bergamot Citrus
5. Martha Stewart Clean Laundry Detergent
You can read the rest of the list, or search to see how your usual detergent measures up here.
Or you can make your own detergent! You can find a bunch of different recipes here.
Green 101: Laundry Tips