Reduce your Environmental Footprint in the Laundry Room

Want to be more environmentally friendly in your home? A good place to start is the laundry room. “The laundry room is a part of the home that contributes significantly to water and energy use, as well as plastic waste,” explains Bronwyn Ragavan, brand manager for Personal Touch. She continues to explain that although having clean clothes is a necessity, it can hurt the environment.

Fortunately, there are simple yet effective changes you can make to reduce your environmental footprint while keeping your clothes fresh and clean. Ragavan suggests the following eight hacks to transform your laundry routine into a more sustainable practice:

1. Wash with cold water. Most of the energy consumed in laundry comes from heating water. Washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm can save up to 90% of the energy used in each load. Cold water is also gentler on fabrics, helping your clothes last longer, which further reduces waste.
2. Use eco-friendly detergents. Switching to eco-friendly alternatives can help reduce your environmental impact. Personal Touch Washing Powder Sheets is a great start to cutting back on plastic. This packaging is completely recyclable and is made of 64% less plastic than an ordinary 2kg bag of washing powder.
3. Wait for full loads. Washing full loads reduces the number of times you need to do laundry, saving both water and energy. When you run a half-empty washing machine, you’re wasting resources. Maximise efficiency by waiting until you have a full load, but be careful not to overload the machine, as this can affect cleaning performance and wear down your clothes faster.
4. Wear your clothes more than once. Certain fabrics such as denim can be worn more than once. Even cotton, linen, and wool are fabrics that allow the air to circulate freely, preventing moisture buildup and unwanted odours that can be worn more than once before washing.
5. Line dry whenever possible. Clothes dryers are among the most energy-hungry appliances in the home. If you have the space, hang your clothes to dry instead. Line drying not only saves energy but also extends the life of your garments. If line drying isn’t an option, try to use your dryer’s energy-saving settings, and always clean the lint filter after each use to improve efficiency.
6. Choose energy-efficient appliances. When it’s time to replace your washer and dryer, look for energy-efficient models. Energy Star-rated appliances use significantly less water and energy compared to older models. Front-loading washers tend to be more efficient than top-loading ones, using less water and energy per load. Investing in efficient appliances will lower your utility bills and environmental impact over time.
7. Use less detergent. More isn’t always better when it comes to detergent. Using too much can leave residue on your clothes and in your washing machine, leading to build-up that reduces efficiency. Personal Touch Washing Powder Sheets are easy and efficient to use. One sheet is equal to one load.
8. Repurpose old clothes. One of the best ways to reduce waste in the laundry room is to extend the life of your clothes. Repair garments when possible instead of throwing them away, and when an item is beyond repair, consider repurposing it into cleaning rags, crafts, or donating it to textile recycling programs. The less clothing that ends up in landfills, the better for the environment.

Making your laundry routine more eco-friendly doesn’t require a huge lifestyle overhaul. By implementing these small changes, you can significantly reduce water usage, energy consumption, and plastic waste. Sustainable laundry habits not only benefit the environment but also improve the longevity of your clothes and lower household bills—it’s a win-win for you and the planet.

For more information on Home of Hygiene products: Instagram: www.instagram.com/homeofhygiene/ or Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomeOfHygieneAfrica