Actions Around the Home
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
If you want to save energy when you do laundry take two actions: wash one load a week more in cold water and when it is time to replace your washer, choose a front-loading style.
When you choose your next washer, ENERGY STAR advises that front load washers use about 45% less energy and 50% less water than a top load agitator washer. Recent innovations in top loading dryers that have a low-profile cone or disc instead of an agitator are an advancement. However front load washers are still about 25% more energy and water efficient than the best top loading model.
You can compare models on the ENERGY STAR site. And get to know the ENERGY STAR Label and what it can tell you when you comparison shop.
You now have the right equipment. What is the right way to actually do a load of laundry? Wash your clothes less will have an immediate impact. As The Washington Post reported, washing your clothes less has a triple environmental impact: less water used, less energy used, and less microplastics released from synthetic fibers from your clothes.
The most effective action is to wash your clothes in cold water. The Cold Water Saves initiative suggests that all of your loads can be effectively cleaned in cold water. The majority of modern laundry detergents are formulated for cold water, even if they are not marked that way. If everyone in the US on average changed one load per week to cold water for year it would save 2.3 million metric tons CO2e. You can read more about the benefits of using cold water for everyday laundry.
Of course the drying process is also energy intensive. If using a dryer, regular maintenance can keep energy bills low – clean lint traps and ducts, If your model has it, the automatic cycle with moisture sensing is more efficient than a timed cycle. And if possible, dry loads back to back to utilize residual heat.
And of course, using wind and solar energy to dry your socks is the most efficient and renewable approach you can take! It makes sense to air dry at least a part of your laundry, if you have the space to do it. Experts recommend starting small, with items that are laundered frequently like workout clothing. And done right you do some interesting chemistry that leads to that fresh air smell in line-dried clothes, as long you dry them in direct sunlight.
Looking to organize a climate related event? Consider encouraging folks you know to participate in Hang Dry Week during the last week in August.
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 61: Garden for a Greener Planet
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