The Environmental Impact of Laundry
I’m not one for gossiping, but I’ll admit it: There’s some dirty laundry I need to air to you all.
The dirty laundry I’m referring to, of course, is actual dirty laundry. More specifically, the hidden environmental impacts of washing said dirty laundry in a washing machine, and then drying said laundry in a dryer.
Researchers at the Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences estimate that residential laundry in the U.S. emits 179 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. When you think about the components of the washing and drying processes – running both machines, heating the water, pumping in hot air – it’s easy to see how we get to this figure. To put 179 million metric tons into perspective, that’s roughly the same weight as 44 billion cats, 36 million elephants, or 1,800 aircraft carriers – and if these extremely scientific weight comparisons don’t show you the true extent of the problem, then I’m not sure what will.
Cats, elephants, and aircraft carriers aside, the environmental impact of laundry is clear. It’s easy to overlook staggering energy costs in the mundane shuffle of our household chores, which makes it all the more important to stop, sit down, and think critically about what we can do to lessen our day-to-day energy footprints. After all, if there are things we can do as individuals to lessen our energy impact while we’re cleanin’ our clothes and washin’ our wardrobes, why wouldn’t we give them a try?
One of the best, and easiest, things you can do to minimize the environmental impact of your laundry cycles is to use cold water. Around 90% of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water – I may not be much of a math guy, but even I know that 90% is a huge piece of the pie. Cold water is lighter on clothes as well, meaning your clothes will stay in good shape for longer. While there are certainly times when hot water is necessary in washing clothes, oftentimes cold water will do just fine.
Another relatively easy thing you can do to curb your laundry footprint – basketprint, if you will – is to always run full loads in both the washer and dryer. Filling up both machines helps reduce the total number of loads you have to do, saving energy and avoiding wear-and-tear on your machines.
When it comes to detergent, try to avoid using laundry pods. Detergent pods are generally encased in a petroleum-based plastic called Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), which breaks down into small, mostly invisible pieces in the wash. Going back to those researchers at the Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences – shoutout science, yeah! – 75% of the intact plastic particles from these pods end up filtering into our oceans, rivers, and soil. Considering that these pods make up an estimated 17,200 metric tons of plastic annually, and that 75% of 17,200 is still a ~very~ big number, it’s probably worth it to take a few extra steps down the laundry aisle to find a liquid detergent.
What’s more, if your washing machine has spin settings, you can try using the high speed option to remove as much moisture from your clothes as possible at the end of a cycle. This will limit the amount of time it takes your clothes to dry, which reduces the energy consumed by your dryer and probably saves you some time!
Most washers have airtight seals to prevent leaks while the machine is in use. As a result, it’s advisable to leave the door of your washer open for at least a few hours after use, as this can help prevent mold growth by allowing excess moisture in the machine to evaporate. Keeping your machine free of residual moisture and mold will help keep it running as energy-efficiently as possible.
When it comes to drying your clothes, you can use reusable wool dryer balls instead of single-use dryer sheets to avoid additional waste. According to folks over at The Spruce, who conducted drying tests with wool balls and dryer sheets, wool balls can actually give you quicker, better-quality clothes drying as well. More sustainable AND drier clothes? Now that’s a win-win!
It’s also worth pointing out that not all washing machines and dryers are created equal when it comes to energy-efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers, for instance, are much more energy-efficient than traditional washers and dryers. To earn an ENERGY STAR label, manufacturers are required to sign a formal agreement with the EPA. Their products are then certified by a third party against strict energy-efficiency performance requirements. So, if you’re looking for a new washer or dryer – or other appliances! – anytime soon, be on the lookout for ENERGY STAR certifications
While the environmental impacts of laundry may seem inconsequential load by load, they add up over time. As with sustainability efforts in general, it’s important for all of us to make small changes where we can to lessen our overall energy consumption and environmental impact. If we start one house at a time, one load of laundry at a time, we can still have a big impact in the long run.
Keep calm and launder on, folks. Sustainably, of course.
Alec Matulka
Doo Dah Apparel
