Laundry is one of my least despised chores, so I thought, “Let’s talk about how to do laundry the eco-friendly way!” If you’re an odd duck like me, you probably love the sound of the washer scrubbing those cringey duds and doing the work while you catch up on your Netflix. Over time, I’ve discovered a few tricks for doing laundry in a more sustainable way and want to share my discoveries with you, you beautiful, kind soul!
I like to do laundry and I get that naturally. Many times, my mom has remarked how much she loves pulling fresh towels out of the dryer, how it feels so warm and comforting to hug them close as she carries them to their final folding place. Specific, but true!
Laundry is also easy to me. Who wants to empty the dishwasher, sweep up a mess, or–YIKES–clean a toilet? Not me! To do laundry feels like an accomplishment I can get done with minimal griping, hemming, and hawing.
But if you’re also the kind of person who doesn’t like to be wasteful, you could say that laundry can be pretty non-eco-friendly. However, I’ve learned some ways to do laundry that aren’t completely horrid.
This post is all about how to do laundry in an eco-friendly way.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are always items I buy or totally want to buy!
Do Laundry Like an Eco-Friendly Pro
1. Use laundry soap sheets.
I talk a lot about laundry soap sheets. They’ve been a real game-changer for my laundry life.
Let me tell you why.
- No more stupid, clunky plastic bottles. I cannot stand these bottles! They’re heavy, messy and drippy, and just end up in the landfill or one of our gorgeous oceans. Oh, HECK no. I also can’t stand the chemical smell of the liquid. Anyone else here with a sensitive nose?
- The soap sheets are ZERO-WASTE. No plastic and housed in paper packaging you can bury in your garden. It will disintegrate quickly.
- It’s so satisfying to rip up the sheets into little pieces!
- Mild scents for highly sensitive people!
- These sheets take up hardly any space in your laundry room or alcove. I have a small house with laundry machines squeezed between the back door, refrigerator, and stove. I need all the extra space I can get!
- Earth Breeze has no parabens, preservatives, phthalates, artificial dyes, or optical brighteners. They’re also cruelty-free and vegan.
- Guys will do more laundry with these bad boys. My husband loves them. And as I’ve said before, he doesn’t love all of my eco tactics!
2. Air-dry clothes.
You don’t need any fancy drying stand to do this, but if you have one, by all means, go for it!
You can use clothes hangers and suspend from your closet door frame or hook on the wall.
My dad, who knows his “top-of-the-line” gadgets, installed this interior clothesline that can retract when not in use. He speaks highly of this air-drying apparatus, so you may like it, too!
You could also use some string or twine to make a makeshift clothesline.
And if you have an actual, bonafide clothesline, I am thoroughly impressed.
3. Do laundry when you have time.
I say this because how many times have we all thrown some laundry in the washer, then totally forgotten about it? THEN, it’s developed a disgusting mildew-y smell which means we have to rewash?
Truth be told, while writing this very article, I did JUST THAT. Your girl here was so busy preaching to y’all that she wasn’t practicing what she preached and left the laundry sitting too long.
Not ideal.
By lessening our rewashing, we’re doing laundry the eco-friendly way.
Washing twice is wasting electricity, water, soap, and money, honey! (I’m on my own case here!)
If you have ADHD or just are quite forgetful, set a timer to help you swap out clothes as soon as possible.
4. Wash when you have a full load.
So, it’s a balance between washing only one item at a time (not eco-friendly!) and overloading the washer (which will break the washer).
How do I know about breaking washing machines? Because I kept stuffing so many towels inside of not one, but TWO different washing machines. They completely broke down and said, “Enough, you wash woman wackadoodle!”
This kind of renegade behavior is wasteful and costly.
My mistakes are your new life lessons! You’re welcome, sweetie.
5. Wash on cold for certain items.
Some people wash on cold for all items, God bless them. But, I personally have to sanitize certain things like towels, undies, and socks. I JUST HAVE TO.
But, you do you, and if you can stomach colder temps for some of your sketchier items, then you’ll be more eco-friendly. Now, it might not kill all the germs, so you might have to rewash, so then you’re back in the less eco-friendly boat.
So, maybe just sanitize your stinky stuff!
6. Buy textiles made of natural fibers.
The unnatural fibers that can show up in fast fashion subtly shed over time, which may not be so healthy. Just imagine tiny flecks of plastic glitter dust flaking off our clothes and wafting in the breeze. Doesn’t sound awesome, does it?
Fairy dust on the other hand? Yes, please!
Fabrics like cotton are healthier options and produce lint that can be composted. What is composting? I will tell you all about it here!
Still uneasy about composting? I really didn’t know much about it at first, either. I thought that you needed lots of land, a bunch of fancy receptacles, and, I dunno, some sweet skills. But then I stumbled* across a tiny little notice on my city’s website about how to compost in a very simple and convenient way. Indeed, it intrigued me!
*Stumbling: How I come across most things.
And, just so you know, the way I compost is the least intimidating way around. I compost through a pickup service because I don’t yet have the skills, time, or patience for a backyard bin. For me, this would be a disaster. But you may be a natural!
To find a compost service in your area, I’d suggest checking your city’s resources page or trash/recycling info. Or, do an online search!
Now, back to natural fibers.
So, where do you find these sustainable garments?
This vegan clothing and accessory brand is a good place to start. Cute, cute stuff, but caring, too!
I’ve also heard good things about compostable underwear. Wear, wear out, and bury by your wildflowers!
7. Wear something more than once so you’re not washing as often.
This is not my strength. I’ve been told by some that I change clothes about four times a day. Not the awesomest strategy, but sometimes I get dirty working in the garden, so I have to shower and change. Or on the rare chance I’ll be motivated to exercise, then again, time to change!
Then, sometimes, after I get home from a public place, I change because I feel kind of icky after being around lots of unknown germs. Sometimes I spill food down my shirt or pants. (Okay, pretty much all the time.)
If you can do better than this, please do, for all our sakes! And I’ll try, too.
| WHAT I WASH ON COLD | WHAT I WASH ON HOT | WHAT I WASH ON WARM | WHAT I AIR DRY |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELICATE CLOTHING LIKE BLOUSES, DRESSES, SKIRTS, LINGERIE | UNDERWEAR, SOCKS | ACTIVE-WEAR LIKE SPORTS BRAS, WORKOUT CLOTHES | USUALLY ANYTHING I WASH ON COLD |
| SCARVES, GLOVES, SWIMSUITS, FAUX FUR (COULD BE DICEY, BUT I’VE DONE IT) | BATH TOWELS, WASH CLOTHS, HAND TOWELS | DOG BLANKIES | TRAVEL OR SHOPPING BAGS, PURSES |
| THROW PILLOW COVERS | BED SHEETS, PILLOWCASES | BED QUILTS, BLANKETS, PILLOW SHAMS ON BED, DOG OUTFITS IF THEY SEEM SUS | DOG HARNESS, COLLARS, LEASHES |
| USUALLY JEANS, SHORTS, AND PANTS | TENNIS SHOES | SOME PANTS, JEANS, OR SHORTS | SHOES |
| SOME PURSES, REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS, BACKPACKS, AND CLOTH TRAVEL BAGS | KITCHEN TOWELS, DUST RAGS, REUSABLE FLOOR CLEANING PADS | WASHABLE RUGS | SWEDISH DISH CLOTHS |
| ANYTHING SATINY, SILKY, GOSSAMER, OR LACY | ANYTHING I WANT TO SANITIZE | ANYTHING I’M UNSURE ABOUT IF IT’S POSSIBLY SWEATY OR GROSS | DELICATE STUFF THAT I WORRY MIGHT SHRINK |
8. Periodically clean your washer with natural elements like vinegar or baking soda.
I have a front loading washer that has a tub clean feature. I use this after a number of washes to clear out the gunk and goo that no one wants building up.
Sometimes I add vinegar and/or baking soda to naturally disinfect and freshen.
This should help your washer last longer and work more efficiently.
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9. Don’t forget to remove the lint from the lint tray every time.
One reason for lint removal is that it helps your dryer to work better. A more important reason is to prevent fires. Please be safe, my friends.
You can find more tips online for deeper cleaning tactics of your lint screen, including vacuuming it out every so often. I got this tip from Cas at Clutterbug!
10. Immediately remove and hang up wrinkle-prone clothing as soon as the drying cycle ends.
I say this because I’ve retired my iron for the rest of my life! If it has to be ironed, then I’ll have to be wrinkled!
But, if you’re the ironing type, it also saves electricity and water if you haven’t left your shirt in a crumpled pile for twenty-two days.
Storytime by Aunt Kat:
In college, I worked at a check collection agency
where, yes, I called people to pay up on their bad checks.
While I wasn’t very effective at recovering these wayward funds,
I did, however, get compliments from people I called.
One woman got my manager to call her back
to give me positive feedback!
(She never paid, though.)
All this to say is, one day, I had to be at work early on a Saturday,
and had no time to iron my very wrinkled shirt.
After work, my roommate and I went to a university basketball game, thinking we’re so cool we’re at a university basketball game.
Her parents were actually there
and her dad took one look at me and said,
“No wonder you two don’t have dates.
Look at that wrinkled shirt!”
Uhhhhh…
While I always loved Milburn
and he DID have a point,
I felt slightly downtrodden and knew I needed
a wrinkle-free strategy.
So what did I do?
I never got a strategy, of course!
I just avoided all wrinkly outfits
as much as possible.
And eventually got a few dates.
But that’s a whole other post.
11. Use less dryer sheets.
Most dryer sheets are made of synthetic materials that end up piling up in the landfill because you can’t really recycle them.
There are alternatives like wool dryer balls, which are more eco-friendly, but I’m not a fan of using animals to make these.
I rarely use dryer sheets, so I’m not sure if that makes me weird or not. But, if you can’t live without dryer sheets, this brand is one of my faves for laundry soap sheets, plus they make vegan, cruelty-free, and plant-based dryer sheets. One of their scents is Bergamot Beach (anything beachy for me, please!). They also plant a tree with every purchase.
12. Reuse your bath towel if you can.
Okay, this is another thing I’m bad about. But my husband is really good about this, so he gets a gold star!
But, to save my reputation, I do use my towels to wipe down the shower. And, I have to say, afterwards, you probably don’t want those on your face!
Remember, we’re all just doing our best here. No judgement! Just support!
13. Run your washer and dryer while you’re home.
You never what kind of diabolical force will overtake your washer or dryer when you’re not home. I’ve heard horror stories of off-balanced washers going coo-coo-ca-choo.
And dryers can start house fires if we’re not careful. I’ve had personal family experience with a house fire. It’s a devastating thing. And I want you all to be extra safe. Please, I stress this so much.
My dog gets livid when my towels start sloshing and the whole washer goes rogue. So, I think it’s best, just for the sanity of your fur children, to monitor your laundry, keep everyone safe, and make sure your home stays intact.
14. Treat stains immediately.
If you don’t do this, you might be washing several times and that’s a lot of water, energy, time, soap, and headaches!
My go-to stain remover is Seventh Generation. It works like a champ and has even gotten conspicuous wine stains out of my husband’s white shirt after a server flung a fine red blend all over him. (She wasn’t mad. She was just accident-prone like me!)
If you treat stains immediately, I’m not sure who will thank you more…Mother Earth or that pesky rule follower in your head who’s not afraid to say, “I told you so!”
15. Don’t wait until the last minute to wash everything.
When I was in my twenties and, OKAY, thirties, I’d be out of essential garments right before work. And I mean, essential! So, here I was, literally washing underpants an hour before I had to leave for my commute.
Depending on the time of year and the time of day, you could be using more energy and resources.
For example, if you’re washing stuff on hot and then drying it, too, during the steamiest part of the day in the summer, your air conditioner is going to work harder to pump in cool air. Instead, wait until later in the evening to do laundry, when the stars are out and the night has cooled things down a little.
And this might take some planning ahead! So, don’t be me and run out of undergarments right before you have to show up for staff meeting. It’s not a great idea!
A general consensus online says to avoid peak washing times from 3pm-8pm, but that will vary with your location! Check with your local electric company to get the best times to run your washer and save energy.
Conclusion
I hope you learned a little more about how to do laundry in a more sustainable, eco-friendly way. Now, it’s your turn! What are your tips for doing laundry that’ll make our planet proud? Please add in the comments below!
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I really want to try doing this more! The idea of ditching those big plastic bottles and switching to something zero-waste sounds so much better—for the planet and my small laundry space. I also have a sensitive nose, so the mild scent is a big plus. Thanks for sharing your experience—this might be just the push I needed to finally make the switch!
Thank you, Ann! This makes me so happy to hear! Honestly, even it if weren’t eco-friendly, I’d love it because it’s SO much easier. Let me know what you think if you try this! I’ve used several brands: Earth Breeze, Frey, and Miracle Made. I think my parents use Tru Earth, but I’ll have to double check that! 😊❤️
I’ve changed a few things about my laundry to be more sustainable and care for the environment. It’s great to know that there are more options than before, and that we can make informed choices about what we use. Love this!
That’s wonderful, Molly! Yes, I do love all of the options. It’s so helpful. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your story! 😊
Love this post and the addition of the dog. The chart is super helpful too- Pining it for later.
Thank you so much, JRC! Yes, my little dog has very strong opinions on laundry as well🤣 Glad you found this helpful! 😊
Totally get this! Laundry feels oddly satisfying—warm towels and all! Love that you’re finding ways to make it more eco-friendly too. 👕🌿I was just wondering what I could use to clean my washer—this is super helpful! I have a front loader too, so I’m definitely going to try the vinegar and baking soda trick. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, Ann! Yes, if we must do chores, hopefully some of them aren’t too tedious! Yeah, I’ll just sprinkle a little bit of baking soda and vinegar in the tub to freshen it up. I think it does help (at least I hope so!) 🤣 Thank you for your note! ❤️
This was such a fun and helpful read! I was laughing out loud at your wrinkled shirt story. I have absolutely been there! And I felt so seen when you admitted to re-washing a forgotten load—we’ve all done it.
You asked for a tip, so here’s mine: I wash all my graphic tees and dark jeans inside out. It helps the color and prints last way longer so I don’t have to replace them as often! Thanks for all the great ideas.
LOL, Jawo! Yes, wrinkled shirts and forgetting my laundry are my specialty! Also, I love your tip of turning clothes inside out! That’s such a great idea that I forget to do, like, probably as much as I forget to dry my laundry🤣 I appreciate your note and love your tip! 😊
This post made me rethink my laundry habits — switching to soap sheets and air-drying feels like a small but impactful change.
Thank you, JMX! Yes, we don’t have to do everything out there, but can try to do what makes sense for us and what we can manage with our busy schedules. Small changes are definitely impactful, for sure! Thank you for that perspective❤️