Laundry is one of the most resource-intensive household activities, consuming significant amounts of water, energy, and chemical products. In a country where water scarcity and energy costs are ongoing concerns, adopting sustainable laundry practices makes both environmental and financial sense. This guide explores practical ways to reduce your laundry's environmental impact while maintaining clean, fresh clothes.
Water Conservation Strategies
Water efficiency is particularly important in Australia, where droughts affect much of the continent regularly. Laundry accounts for approximately 15-20% of household water consumption, presenting significant opportunity for savings.
Optimising Load Size
Running full loads maximises water efficiency. A washing machine uses roughly the same amount of water whether washing a small or full load on the same setting. Waiting until you have a full load rather than running multiple partial loads can cut your laundry water usage by a third or more. For genuinely small loads, use appropriate load-size settings if your machine offers them.
Machine Efficiency
When replacing a washing machine, water efficiency should be a primary consideration. Look for high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) ratings. Front-loading machines typically use 60-70% less water than comparable top-loaders. While front-loaders cost more initially, water and energy savings often offset the difference over the machine's lifetime.
Greywater Utilisation
Laundry water, particularly from rinse cycles, can safely water gardens when using appropriate detergents. Simple diversion systems redirect greywater to outdoor areas. However, never store greywater for more than 24 hours, and avoid application on edible plants or during wet weather when soil is already saturated. Check local council regulations regarding greywater use.
Running one fewer load per week saves approximately 50-100 litres. Using cold water not only saves energy but also reduces overall water consumption as there's no waste from heating. Treating stains promptly reduces the need for rewashing failed loads.
Energy Reduction Techniques
Laundry-related energy consumption comes from heating water for washing and running tumble dryers. Both areas offer substantial reduction opportunities.
Cold Water Washing
Modern detergents are formulated to work effectively in cold water. For most everyday loads, hot water provides no additional cleaning benefit while consuming significantly more energy. Heating water accounts for approximately 90% of the energy used by a washing machine. Reserve warm or hot cycles for genuinely soiled items, bedding, or when treating illness.
Line Drying
Australia's abundant sunshine makes line drying the obvious sustainable choice. A clothes dryer consumes more energy than almost any other household appliance per use. Line drying costs nothing, uses no energy, and leaves clothes smelling fresh. Even occasional dryer use reduction makes a meaningful difference. Use the dryer only when absolutely necessary, such as during extended wet weather.
Efficient Drying Alternatives
When outdoor drying isn't possible, indoor drying racks provide a zero-energy alternative. Position racks in well-ventilated areas to speed drying. A fan or dehumidifier speeds indoor drying while using far less energy than a tumble dryer. If you must use a dryer, clean lint filters before each use for maximum efficiency and use moisture-sensing cycles rather than timed drying.
- Switch to cold water washing for 90% energy reduction per load
- Line dry whenever possible; dryers are major energy consumers
- Use indoor racks during wet weather instead of dryers
- Choose high energy-star rated appliances when replacing
- Wash less frequently by wearing items appropriately
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Conventional laundry products contain chemicals that impact waterways and ecosystems. Sustainable alternatives achieve clean clothes while reducing environmental harm.
Choosing Sustainable Detergents
Look for detergents that are phosphate-free, biodegradable, and made from plant-based ingredients. Concentrated formulas reduce packaging and transport emissions. Many Australian brands now offer eco-certified options that perform comparably to conventional products. Avoid products containing optical brighteners, which are essentially microplastics that wash into waterways.
Reducing Detergent Usage
Most people use more detergent than necessary. Check manufacturer guidelines and measure accurately rather than pouring liberally. For lightly soiled everyday clothes, half the recommended amount often suffices. Excess detergent doesn't improve cleaning; it wastes product and can leave residue on clothes that attracts dirt faster, creating a cycle of more frequent washing.
Natural Alternatives
Simple household ingredients handle many laundry tasks. White vinegar in the rinse cycle softens clothes naturally without fabric softener chemicals. Bicarbonate of soda boosts cleaning power and deodorises. Sunlight naturally bleaches and sanitises without chlorine. These traditional methods reduce chemical usage and save money.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. Despite initial concerns, clothes won't smell of vinegar once dry. The vinegar softens fibres, reduces static, and removes detergent residue. It's also greywater-safe, unlike conventional fabric softeners.
Extending Clothing Life
The most sustainable garment is one you already own. Reducing how frequently clothes need replacing through better care significantly reduces overall environmental impact.
Wash Less Frequently
Many items don't require washing after each wear. Outer layers, jeans, and garments that don't contact skin can often be worn multiple times. Airing clothes between wears refreshes them without washing. Spot clean small marks rather than washing entire garments. Reserve full washing for genuinely soiled items.
Gentle Washing Practices
Every wash cycle stresses fabric. Use gentle cycles for delicate items. Wash inside-out to protect outer surfaces. Zip zippers and fasten hooks to prevent snagging other items. Don't overload the machine; clothes need room to move without excessive friction.
Proper Drying and Storage
Heat damages fibres; line dry whenever possible. Fold and store clothes properly to prevent damage. Address repairs promptly before small issues become unrepairable. These simple practices significantly extend garment life, reducing the environmental cost of clothing production.
Microfibre Management
Synthetic fabrics release microplastics into water with each wash. While this issue doesn't have perfect solutions yet, several approaches reduce the problem.
Understanding the Issue
Polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fabrics shed tiny plastic fibres during washing. These fibres pass through wastewater treatment and enter waterways, ultimately accumulating in marine environments and food chains. A single load of synthetic clothes can release hundreds of thousands of fibres.
Reduction Strategies
Wash synthetic items less frequently when possible. Use cold water and shorter cycles, which reduce fibre shedding. Specialty washing bags capture microfibres before they enter wastewater. When purchasing new clothes, consider natural fibres that don't contribute to microplastic pollution. Full loads also reduce shedding by reducing friction between items.
Making Sustainable Choices Stick
Sustainable practices require consistent implementation to make real impact. Start with changes that fit easily into your routine and build from there.
Start Simple
Don't try to overhaul everything at once. Begin with cold water washing, which requires no effort beyond turning a dial. Add line drying as weather permits. Gradually introduce eco-friendly products as conventional ones run out. Small, consistent changes prove more sustainable than dramatic overhauls that prove difficult to maintain.
Measure Your Progress
Track your water and electricity bills to see concrete results from changes. Visible savings reinforce new habits and motivate further improvements. Many households find sustainable laundry practices save $200-400 annually through reduced water, energy, and product costs.
Involve Your Household
Sustainable laundry requires household-wide participation. Explain changes to family members and make new practices easy to follow. Proper hamper systems encourage sorting. Clear guidelines about what needs washing versus airing reduce unnecessary loads. Collective effort multiplies individual impact.
Every sustainable choice matters, even if individual actions feel small. An average Australian household does 5-6 loads of laundry weekly. Implementing even a few changes across those loads adds up to significant environmental benefit over time. Start today, and your laundry routine becomes part of the solution rather than the problem.