Cleaning & Organizing Laundry & Linens 10 Ways to Make Laundry Day Better for the Environment These energy-saving, low-impact tips will cut your bill and help the environment. By Alexandra Kelly Alexandra Kelly Alex is the senior home editor for Martha Stewart. She has over 10 years of experience producing digital content in the home and lifestyle space, ranging from cleaning and organizing to etiquette and home design. Editorial Guidelines and Rima Suqi Updated on April 16, 2024 Close Photo: Aaron Dyer There are many ways to be more eco-friendly at home, but one key place to start is in the laundry room. We asked experts to share several low-impact ways to green up your routine, from upgrading your appliances to being smarter with your detergent choices. Bonus: You'll minimize your energy bill in the process, too! Hyacinth Tucker, owner of The Laundry Basket LLC, a laundry pickup and delivery service Anita Spiller, vice president of ESG at Tru Earth, an eco-friendly laundry detergent brand George Hernandez, vice president of operations at PuroClean, a property damage restoration company 23 Simple Ways to Live Every Day More Sustainably Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Washing Machine If it's in your budget, upgrade to an energy-efficient washer. A full-size Energy Star washer model uses 14 gallons of water a load, versus 20 for a standard machine. Front loaders hold 30 percent more than a top loader with an agitator, and use less water and energy. Switch to a Gas-Powered Dryer Consider gas-powered dryers. They're not common in the U.S. (only a quarter of homes have one) but should be: They dry twice as fast as electric, with less static and fewer wrinkles. Ventless heat-pump electric ones, like Bosch's new 500 series, also use far less energy and go anywhere with a 240-volt outlet. The Difference Between a Gas and Electric Dryer, From Efficiency to Affordability Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean Clogged dryer vents not only impede your dryer's efficiency, but they're also a fire hazard. "Signs of a clogged dryer vent include clothing taking longer than normal to dry, a dryer vent hood flap that does not open properly, debris that appears around the outside of the dryer vent, and excessive heat in the room where the dryer is located," says George Hernandez, vice president of operations at PuroClean. A clean dryer vent offers better airflow, and faster, more efficient drying cycles, which saves energy. How to Clean a Dryer Vent the Right Way—and How Often You Should Switch to Waterless Detergent Transition from using traditional liquid detergents and pods to using dry tablets or powder. Liquid detergents and detergent pods often come in plastic bottles or are wrapped in dissolvable plastic—neither of which is great for the environment. By contrast, most detergent tablets come in eco-friendly paper-based packaging that is easily recyclable. And they often contain biodegradable, plant-based ingredients that do the same cleaning work but without harsh chemicals that can then make their way into your local watershed. 20 Essentials for Your Sustainability Starter Kit Consider Making Your Own Laundry Detergent If you really want to go all-in on reducing plastic and energy consumption, make your own laundry detergent—it's not as hard as you think! "Consider making homemade detergent using natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils to reduce environmental impact further," says Hyacinth Tucker, owner of The Laundry Basket LLC. Lower Your Washer Temperature Settings You don't need to wash your clothes on the highest heat setting—run your laundry cycles on cold water instead. "If you wash with hot or warm water, that is a big energy draw," says Anita Spiller, vice president of ESG at Tru Earth. "Your household can cut 800 pounds of carbon pollution every year by washing four out of five loads of laundry in cold water." Only Run Full Loads of Laundry Don't run half-loads of laundry or just a few items—only run full loads of laundry, otherwise you're wasting energy and water. "Maximize the efficiency of each wash cycle by waiting until you have a full load of laundry," says Tucker. "This saves water and energy by reducing the number of wash cycles needed." 18 of Our Best Laundry Tips to Keep Your Clothes and Linens Looking Good as New Use Wool Dryer Balls Instead of Dryer Sheets When drying your clothes (hopefully in an energy-efficient dryer), don't add single-use dryer sheets to soften and remove static. Instead, reach for natural wool dryer balls—they do the exact same thing, are not made with harsh chemicals, and are generally usable for up to 1,000 loads of laundry. "If you are set on using a dryer, trying using dryer balls, which will help you cut down on drying time and save on electricity bills," says Spiller. Do Wool Dryer Balls Really Work? Here's How to Use Them Correctly in Your Laundry Make Homemade Fabric Softener Don't have wool dryer balls? No problem—you can easily make your own fabric softener instead. All you need is distilled white vinegar and the essential oil of your choosing (if you'd like some natural fragrance) added to the rinse cycle of your wash for fluffy, soft clothes. The Right Way to Use Vinegar in Laundry—and Why You Should Air Dry Your Clothes Skip your dryer and opt to line dry your clothes instead, the old-fashioned way. "Our obsession with clothes dryers is a uniquely North American thing, and it is not good for the planet," says Spiller. "Try hanging your laundry on your balcony or on collapsible indoor racks for a zero-emission dry you can feel good about." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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