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by Chloe Greenfield
Laundry might not be the sexiest topic at brunch, but guess what? It’s a sneaky powerhouse when it comes to both saving cash and cutting your carbon footprint. Every time you wash a load, you’re making choices that ripple out into the planet. Hot water or cold? Scented pods or DIY detergent? Dryer or breeze? These tiny tweaks can add up to big changes—for the Earth and your electric bill.
Today, we’re tackling that simmering pile of towels and tees with a fresh set of eco-wise laundry hacks that are simple, effective, and yes, wallet-friendly. Let’s turn your laundry room into a little eco-sanctuary, one load at a time.
You don’t need a laundry chute into a zero-waste utopia to make a difference. Just a few habit shifts can drastically reduce your environmental impact without sacrificing freshness.
About 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes into heating the water! Unless you’re tackling a spaghetti explosion, most of your clothes can be washed in cold water just fine.
Washing in cold not only saves energy—it also extends the life of your garments (and who doesn’t want their favorite hoodie to last?).
Traditional detergents often include phosphates, synthetic fragrances, and harsh surfactants. These not only pollute waterways but are hard on your skin and clothes.
Look for detergent that is:
Some popular options include:
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own sustainable detergent at home. I walk you through the basics in Greener Clean: DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Every Room.
Air drying your clothes may seem like something only your great-grandmother did on a sunny hillside, but it’s making a serious eco comeback.
Dryers are energy guzzlers. In fact, it’s one of the most energy-demanding appliances in most homes. Hanging your clothes on a line, rack, or curtain rod can reduce energy bills significantly and help your clothes last longer (dryers wear out fabric fibers faster).
Tip: Got no outdoor space? Invest in a foldable indoor rack or tension rod. Your light fixtures and doorknobs make decent impromptu hangers too—we’ve all done it.
Hang clothes next to a sunny window or near a heater to speed up indoor drying—just make sure to keep the area ventilated to avoid the mildew blues.
If you must use a dryer (no judgment—we have toddlers spilling juice too), ditch the disposable dryer sheets and switch to reusable wool dryer balls.
Why we love them:
Even better? You can make your own! Just need 100% wool yarn, an old pantyhose, and your next cozy Netflix session. Hello sustainable craft hour!
Efficiency is key here. Washing partial loads uses nearly the same water and electricity as full loads, so wait until the machine is worth running.
But don’t overdo it! Stuffed machines can’t spin or rinse effectively, and clothes come out less than lovely.
Here’s the Goldilocks Load Rule:
Those big, bulky jugs? Only about 30% get recycled—and they’re often full of water. Instead, try:
Tired of plastic everywhere? You might also like Ditch Plastic Bags: Embrace Reusable Totes for a Greener Future.
Did you know that irons use 1,200 to 1,800 watts of electricity per session?
Instead, try:
Life’s too short to iron socks. Prioritize garments that need to look pro like button-ups, and let the rest live their relaxed lives.
Doing frequent tiny loads adds up in energy costs and water waste. Set a weekly laundry schedule that works for your household habits.
Our favorite methods:
Bonus benefit? Less stressful “I have nothing to wear!” mornings.
Even the cleanest homes can forget this one: your machine needs a clean, too!
Here’s a quick monthly routine:
If you want an even more natural sparkle around your home, check out Why Composting Isn’t Gross (And How It Can Be Your Superpower).
Socks with no elastic left, T-shirts with holes—can they be composted? If they’re made from 100% natural fibers like cotton, hemp, or linen (no polyester blends!), the answer is yes.
Snip them into small pieces to help them break down faster. Avoid clothing with:
All natural = all compostable.
Torn shirt? Make it a reusable cleaning rag before adding it to your compost. That way it gets a second (or third) life before becoming soil.
Making your laundry routine more sustainable doesn’t require a PhD in environmental science or the invention of a solar-powered clothes vortex. It’s about small, intentional tweaks. Wash cold. Skip the plastic jug. Hang dry when you can. Choose products that align with your values (and don’t clog rivers).
Let’s turn laundry into one of the greenest parts of your day—and maybe even the most satisfying, too.
Try at least three of these eco-friendly swaps this week. Share your progress with us on Instagram @ MySimple.life and tag a friend who needs to dump the dryer sheets!
Chloe Greenfield
Chloe's journey into eco-friendly living began when she accidentally brought her reusable coffee cup to a meeting and was dubbed "the tree hugger" by her coworkers. Leaning into the label, she discovered a passion for sustainability and simple living. Now, she's on a mission to make sustainable habits fun, relatable, and easy for everyone—no tree-hugging required (though she still does it sometimes).
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