There are lots of little ways we can make our regular clothes and linen washing practices greener. Many of them will help us economise too. This article gives a few tips on how to do it.
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There is something really satisfying about a long line of freshly washed clothes and household linen flapping about in the breeze. It’s clearly the green way to dry your laundry whenever the weather permits.
Getting it there can be greener too, with a little know-how, and the eco-friendly products on the market these days. Exchanging the detergent you use for one in the Ecover range, or a similar natural product is the first step.
You can even do away with detergents altogether by using a BioWashBall which releases negative ions that draw the dirt from your wash while increasing the pH level of the water used. If you put the ball where it will catch bright sunlight for two hours once a month, it will remain effective for up to three years. Just think of all the money you would spend on washing products in that much time.
The petroleum that is the basis of most washing powders, tablets and gels is a resource that is not renewable. One day it will run out. These products are bad for wildlife too. When the chemicals in them get into our rivers and lakes, they reduce oxygen levels so even the fish suffer.
Bleach is as bad in your drains, creating organochlorides which are toxic and may be carcinogenic. So before washing, soak badly stained items in a solution of water with lemon juice or white wine vinegar. Adding a quarter of a litre of white vinegar to your final rinse will kill the static electricity that makes your synthetic clothes cling to you. And four tablespoons of baking soda make an excellent fabric softener.
If it’s time to replace your washing machine, go for an eco-friendly version. These days you can choose models that are designed to be energy saving by using less water and power. You can wash at low temperatures and get fantastic results. There’s even a new one on the market that will run a wash cycle in just 14 minutes.
Follow any of these tips to reduce your reliance on expensive products that have a negative effect on our environment. Every time we reverse an environmentally hostile habit, a little of the world is saved. And the great thing is that you can often save money in the process.