Doing laundry is part of life — but it comes with a hefty environmental price tag.
Washing and drying machines devour electricity, while many detergents are filled with toxic chemicals that harm both our health and the planet.
The simplest green fix?
👉 Wear clothes longer and wash less.
When you do wash, go colder, shorter, and fuller — cold water, short cycles, and full loads are the trifecta of an eco-friendly laundry day.
Below, we’ll walk through easy, sustainable swaps and habits — from biodegradable detergents to microfiber filters — that’ll keep your laundry clean and your conscience clear.
💚 Why Laundry Matters for the Planet
Our love for clean clothes carries a surprising carbon cost. According to Fashion Revolution, washing, drying, and ironing make up roughly a quarter of a garment’s total carbon footprint.
Over-washing doesn’t just hurt the planet — it also shortens your clothes’ lifespan, leading to fading, shrinkage, and misshaping. That’s why nine out of ten garments end up in landfills long before their time.
It’s time to rethink our laundry habits — for the planet and our closets.
👖 1. Wash Clothes Less Often
Let’s start with the easiest fix: wash less.
Not every piece of clothing needs a post-wear spin cycle. Socks and underwear, sure — but jeans, jackets, and sweaters can handle a few rounds before heading to the hamper.
Levi Strauss & Co. found that washing jeans every ten wears (instead of every two) reduces energy use, climate impact, and water intake by 80%.
Even Anderson Cooper famously admits to washing his jeans only once a year. (No judgment. Maybe even applause.)
🧴 2. Ditch Plastic Jugs for Greener Alternatives
Every year, one billion plastic detergent jugs are thrown away in the U.S. — and only about 30% get recycled. The rest? Landfills, oceans, and waterways.
Buy one sturdy jug and refill it at a local zero-waste store, or ditch jugs entirely for low-impact options like:
- Well Earth Goods laundry strips (pre-measured and paper-based)
- Ecoroots detergent alternatives
- Bestowed Essentials compostable laundry powder
- Dropps eco-friendly pods
- Ethique solid laundry bars
Clean clothes, no plastic guilt.
🌿 3. DIY Nature-Friendly Detergent
Meet your new green dream team: vinegar, baking soda, and soap nuts.
- Vinegar: Add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to your wash in place of detergent or fabric softener. It whitens, brightens, and softens naturally.
- Soap nuts: These dried Himalayan berry shells are chemical-free and release natural saponins that clean and disinfect — completely biodegradable and skin-safe.
- Castile soap: A gentle, vegetable-based soap that’s non-toxic and biodegradable. You can even make your own liquid version (we love this beginner’s guide to Castile soap).
⚖️ 4. Powder vs. Liquid: The Green Verdict
The great detergent debate!
- Liquid detergents use more water but can be refilled easily at zero-waste stores.
- Powder detergents often come in cardboard (easier to recycle) but can shed more microfibers due to extra friction.
Our verdict: Go liquid if it’s natural and sustainably produced. Otherwise, pick whichever version lets you skip plastic and harsh chemicals.
❄️ 5. Wash with Cold Water
Cold is gold.
Harvard researchers found that cold water cleans just as well as hot for most everyday loads.
And according to the EPA, 90% of a washer’s energy goes into heating water. So turning the dial down helps the planet and your wallet. Cold water also prevents shrinkage, color bleeding, and fabric wear — triple win.
🫧 6. Wash Fuller Loads
A half-empty machine wastes water and energy.
Fill your washer about three-quarters full for the best performance — and if that’s not possible, use your machine’s “load size” setting to adjust.
Bonus: fuller loads reduce microfiber shedding by lowering the water-to-fabric ratio, according to Northumbria University.
🌊 7. Consider a Microfiber Filter
Every time we wash synthetics, tiny plastic microfibers break off and slip into our waterways — and wastewater plants can’t catch them.
A simple fix is a PlanetCare filter, which captures up to 90% of microfibers. It’s easy to install and can be attached externally to most washers.
⏱️ 8. Use Shorter, Gentler Cycles
Researchers at the University of Leeds found that 30-minute cold cycles are significantly better for both clothes and the planet than longer, hotter ones.
Shorter, cooler cycles cut microfiber release by over 50% and extend the life of your fabrics.
☀️ 9. Let the Sun and Wind Do the Work
Dryers are major energy hogs. Whenever possible, line-dry your clothes — sunlight naturally disinfects, whitens, and freshens.
If air-drying isn’t an option, opt for a heat-pump dryer — it’s more efficient and gentle on fabrics, saving energy in the long run.
🐑 10. Switch to Wool Dryer Balls
Skip the single-use dryer sheets (they’re full of chemicals and non-biodegradable).
Wool dryer balls are reusable, reduce static, and help clothes dry faster. Add a few drops of essential oil for a light, natural scent.
🌀 11. Go for a Front-Loading Washer
Front-loaders use about 7,500 liters less water per year than top-loaders — that’s roughly 50 bathtubs full! They’re also more energy-efficient and spin out more moisture, cutting down dryer time.
Yes, they cost more upfront, but the long-term savings — both financial and environmental — are worth it.
🚫 12. Rethink Dry Cleaning
Traditional dry cleaning uses perchloroethylene (perc), a harsh solvent linked to health and environmental risks.
Try hand-washing delicates in mild, eco-friendly soap, or look for CO₂ or silicone-based cleaning services as gentler, planet-friendly alternatives.
💧 Bonus Tip: Reuse Your Greywater
Feeling extra green? Use leftover laundry water for gardening or outdoor cleaning — just make sure you’re using chemical-free detergents and a lint filter to catch debris.
🌍 Final Spin
Greening your laundry routine doesn’t mean giving up clean clothes — it just means cleaning smarter.
Wash less, go cold, skip plastic, line-dry, and let your laundry habits reflect the care you have for the planet.
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