Energy Saving with Laundry

It's surprising how many people think the only ways to save money through laundry are Energy Star appliances.  Those are expensive and not everyone can afford the cost.  Personally, I wish I could just run right out and buy an Energy Star certified washer and dryer!  But this is the real world and I don't have the money for that.  However, there is one small thing I can do to save energy with my laundry!

Everyone knows the basics.  Washing only full loads ensures that the most is made of the water and energy used for each washing.  "Free and clear" laundry soaps are generally better for both our bodies, clothes, and the environment.  Obviously, chemical-free green laundry soaps are the best option, as they do the least damage to our environment and our bodies.  Bleach can also be avoided in most cases.  These are just a few things that most people already know.

However, did you know that there's almost no reason to ever wash your clothing in hot water?  It's not like we need to sterilize our home laundry.  Whatever germs are on the clothing should come out with a good washing.  Many detergents are very adept at killing germs.  Heat can also fix some stains into the clothing, rather than helping to remove them.  Most importantly, by using cold water to wash your laundry instead of hot, you're reducing the environmental impact of washing your clothes!  Just think of all the energy spent to heat that water.  Instead, it can be saved for some other purpose, reducing your own drain on the electric grid, gas lines, or oil reserve, all depending on how you heat your water.  Since there's no reason to wash most clothing in hot or warm water, it's a logical choice!

As for the need for hot water washings, certain items do require a hot wash, just to be safe.  Medical facilities use hot cycles in their wash to ensure that their linens are as sterile as possible.  Cloth diapers should also be washed in hot water for the same reason.  Anything likely to harbor more than the usual amount of bacteria and germs that would not normally be present in your home should be washed in hot water.

For the most part, washing in cold is just as good as everything else, and good for the environment!  So next time you go to throw in a load of laundry, take a look at your settings.  Crank it down to cold water wash and let the savings begin!