Video:Go Green With Your Laundry

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Transcript:Go Green With Your Laundry

Hi, I am Danielle Lessovitz for About.com here with another eco-friendly tip. Today I’m going to show your four simple steps for going greener with your laundry.

Washing Machines and The Environment

But first a quick fact. The average washing machine uses 13,500 gallons of water per year. That is as much water as you will drink in your lifetime.

Only Wash Large Loads

Step number one is to make sure that your clothes are actually dirty. This one takes some common sense, but something as simple as wearing a pair of jeans twice instead of once can make a big impact in the end. Also, once you are ready to do a load, make sure it's a big one. Most people under load their washers and one big load is better than two medium sized loads.

Use Cold Water

The second step is to cold water whenever possible. 90% of the energy consumed by a washing machine is used for heating water, not powering it. Cold water, when mixed with cold water detergents is actually better for your clothing.

Wash With Green Laundry Detergents

Which brings us to our third step: detergents. Step #3: Switch to biodegradable laundry detergents. Almost all conventional detergents contain phosphates which have a lasting damage on natural water systems. A number of companies make effective biodegradable detergents including Seventh Generation, Ecover and Bi-O-Kleen

Whenever possible, buy powdered detergent over liquid detergent. Liquid detergent is mostly water anyway and costs a great deal more in terms of energy an waste to package and transport.

Try Natural Fabric Softeners

Instead of using fabric softener, one cup of vinegar or 1/4 of a cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle of your wash. Both substances naturally balance the PH of soap and are relatively inexpensive.

Line Dry Clothes

Our fourth and final step is to line dry clothing whenever possible. Driers are beasts when it comes to energy consumption and rank second after refrigerators for the hungriest appliance in the average home. If for some reason you can’t line dry your clothing outside, bring them inside. Sites such as green huddler offer a number of innovative indoor clothing lines.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

If you are really serious about saving water and energy in your daily laundry habits, look into purchasing an energy star washing machine which uses 50 percent less water and considerably less energy.

Thanks for watching, to learn more visit us on the Web at About.com.