Go With the Green Laundry Flow
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filed under:
Green Living
When laundry day rolls around, consider these environmental tips!
If every household used the most efficient washers, it could save the equivalent of up to 40 million barrels of oil a year!
When laundry day rolls around, consider these environmental tips!
Cool Off
- Wash in warm water and rinse in cool. Using hot water for both washing and rinsing uses 3.5 times more energy! Some brands even make cold water detergent for cleaner clothes.
Turn It Down
- Turn your water heaters temperature to 120. This is warm enough for most households and cuts energy costs.
- If you need to upgrade your water heater, check out more efficient water heaters and those that heat up instantly (rather than storing hot water).
Load It Up
- Do one big load rather than two smaller ones.
- But be careful not to overload the machine or nothing will get clean!
Hang It Up
- Take clothes out of the dryer while they're slightly damp and hang them up. This reduces the need for ironing and saves energy.
These are just a few ways you can reduce the energy involved in the inevitable chore of laundry. Also remember to check your outside dryer vent to make sure it's clean and closes properly. If you're due for a machine upgrade, the newest, most efficient washers and dryers can save up to $70 a year in energy costs! And they look pretty snazzy too!
