by Kat Parkinson

Created on: February 18, 2009

Laundry has the potential to hold more meaning than it does as simply a weekly duty. The green methods and buying options at hand today empower us with the choice to express our earth-friendly values every time we launder.

Buying Detergent:
Inside that bright and cheerful jug sloshes something with dark and slimy consequences. The standard detergent is petroleum based, using up nonrenewable oil. It also contains phosphates, which go on to pollute bodies of water long after being used in a 30-minute wash.

The good news is there are available and affordable alternative detergents that are kinder to nature. Buy an eco-friendly laundry detergent that is plant-based, using enzymes to clean clothes. Look for a detergent that says something like "phosphate free."

Doing the laundry:
If you don't have a washer that differentiates between small, medium, and large cycles, then wait until you have a full load to wash so you aren't wasting water. Always use a cold water wash to save energy. If you are concerned that cold water won't whiten your whites sufficiently, then you can either buy a green detergent that specifies being made to work best in cold water, or you can presoak your whites or stains in a natural solution such as borax minerals with water.

Buying Appliances:
In the market for a new washer or dryer? While shopping, keep in mind energy efficiency. Read the information on the yellow EnergyGuide label. Pick a machine that proudly wears a little Energy Star logo. Energy Star is not a brand but an award for meeting energy saving standards. Front-loading high efficiency washers often save over 60% water and 70% energy that is used by older washers not designed with ecology in mind.

Dryers that have an auto-dry with moisture sensors save energy by keeping the dryer from running any longer than it needs to. On the other hand, if running the auto-dry cycle means using high heat when you otherwise could use low, then it isn't saving much energy. A dryer with an air-fluff option can save energy by not using any heat at all, but this will only work well with thin materials.

Dry Cleaning:
The chemicals used in dry cleaning are hazardous for humans and the environment. Don't worry, because the truth is our favorite "dry clean only" garments are, most of the time, not really dry clean only. They usually can be hand washed gently, depending on the material. For example, a wool sweater can be soaked in a bowl of vinegar and cold water, rinsed, and laid flat to dry. Remember that this only works for certain materials, and that different materials require different processes of hand washing.

The chore we learned as children can become a good deed we do for our mother earth.

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