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Most people do a lot of laundry, and it’s easy to see why the chemicals and energy consumption resulting from a large wash could do some harm to the environment. Your laundry is a fact of life, though, and few of us plan to go back to hand-washing for the sake of going green. The good news is that new technology provides a few other ways to make laundry day kinder to the environment.

Machine matters

When it comes time for you to buy a new washing machine, think green and go for one that cuts down on the amount of energy used for a wash. While you’re still using your older machine, select a cooler wash cycle – washing on 40°C reduces the amount of energy you use while also being gentler on your clothes. When it’s a sunny day, give your tumble drier and the environment a break by hanging your laundry on the line.

Keep it clean

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Choose cleaning products that are environmentally friendly – it’s not too difficult with most supermarkets offering options that minimise the harm done to the environment by your wash. Another option is to use EcoBalls, which are long-lasting and are also likely to save you money.

Standing by

It’s not just what you use to do your laundry, but how you use it. Leaving your washing machine and tumble drier on on standby wastes energy, so remember to switch them off completely. When it comes to loads of laundry, try to do full ones – or go for a washing machine that has a half load or economy setting. Think more carefully about your laundry habits and you’ll soon find that there are plenty of common-sense ways to reduce the amount of energy you’re using, saving both money and the environment.

Tags: Eco-friendly, laundry, washing machine