Natural + Low-waste Laundry Routine

I was recently asked by a reporter to share tips for a natural, sustainable laundry routine. After writing them out, I thought it might be nice to share them here. If there’s one thing I’m passionate about, it’s the intersection of wellness and sustainability and specifically that place where change results in a healthier planet and healthier people. A natural, low-waste laundry routine may seem like an insignificant focal point, particularly in comparison to climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss, but when it comes to your family’s health, I think it makes a significant difference and has the potential to lead to all sorts of healthy habit shifts. In fact, if you’re anything like me, once you’re aware of what and how certain materials and chemicals impact human health and the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll start to rethink the products you add to your medicine cabinet, refrigerator, bathroom, and closet.

A natural laundry routine is also a great place to start if you’re interested in transitioning to a non-toxic, low-waste lifestyle.  Most of the tips I propose below are easy and inexpensive and the majority of them ask very little of you, in terms of time, energy, and money. That said, what works for me may not work for you, so definitely borrow what resonates and ignore the rest. After reading through these tips, If you have advice or rituals you’d like to share, please do so in the comments section. I’m still learning too and have picked up all sorts of best practices from the readers here and on @simply.living.well.

1. Buy clothes made of natural fibers.

When considering a natural, sustainable laundry routine, it’s impossible to ignore the types of materials that make up our clothes. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are all forms of plastic and currently comprise about 60 percent of the material that makes up clothes worldwide. They’re cheap and versatile to make, but unfortunately, they’re also among the biggest contributors to water pollution.

When washed in the laundry, synthetic fibers leach hundreds of thousands of plastic fibers called microplastics into the water supply, where they eventually find their way to streams, rivers, and oceans. Once there, they’re often ingested by marine animals and become part of the food chain. While the impacts of larger plastics are well understood by scientists, less is known about the health implications of microplastics. There’s some concern among scientists that plastics could present a risk to marine animals and humans (who ingest them) since they frequently contain toxic chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A. Some plastics also become toxic when they soak up harmful chemicals from the environment, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been linked directly to cancer and other serious human health problems.

Although you might think of fishing nets, straws, and water bottles when you hear about plastic pollution, most of the plastic in the ocean is in the form of microplastics. They’re literally everywhere -  in the deepest trenches in the oceans and on the tallest mountains in the world. A 2015 study estimated that roughly eight million tons of plastics enter the world’s oceans each year, but only one percent is found floating visibly at the surface. The rest is made up of microplastics suspended in the water or buried in sediments.

The best way to avoid adding microplastics to waterways is by purchasing clothes made of natural fibers, like organic cotton, linen, hemp, wool, and leather. There’s also something called a Guppyfriend Washing Bag that you can use to reduce and prevent microfibers from leaching into your washing machine and, in turn, the water supply. You simply place synthetic clothes in the bag and add it to the wash. The bag reduces fiber shedding by 86% and filters fibers that break off from clothes.

2. Choose an Energy Star rated washer.

While I wouldn’t recommend discarding your current machine for a new one, especially if it’s still in good, working condition, I would recommend upgrading to an Energy Star appliance when the time is right. Energy Star washers use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard machines. They also save you about $350 on utility bills over the lifetime of the machine and 2,000 gallons of water per year. According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, conventional washers built before 2011 typically use about 40 gallons per load, whereas resource-efficient washers use as little as 15 gallons per load.

3. Wear clothes multiple times before washing and wait until you have a full load before doing a load of laundry.

Our belief that we need to wash clothes after every wear is largely influenced by the companies that sell laundry products. The truth is, unless they’re stained or stinky, most clothes can be worn several times before they need to be washed. When it is time to wash them, and if you have an energy efficient machine, be sure to choose the right water level setting - small, medium, large - for the load (some of the new efficient washers will do this automatically). If you have an older machine, run full loads for maximum efficiency.

4. Dry towels and heavier items in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.  

To speed up drying time, dry towels and heavier items in a separate load from lighter weight items.

5. Clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load.

I think this tip is pretty well-known but, just in case, it’s a good idea to clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load of laundry. Not only does it improve air circulation and reduce energy costs, but it can also prevent a fire. The EPA estimates that the simple act of cleaning the lint screen before each and every load can save you $34 a year.

6. Wash nearly everything cold.

According to Energy Star, heating water accounts for 90% of the energy used in washing machines. At the same time, Consumer Reports assures its readers that cold water will generally clean clothes just as effectively as hot water except in cases when you’re trying to remove oily stains, clean soiled cloth diapers, or sanitize clothes and linens after a family illness. Cold water is especially effective at cleaning with the new washers, which are much more reliable than the top-loaders with a center agitator made 15 years ago. In terms of cost savings, switching the energy setting from hot to warm can cut a load of laundry’s energy use in half. Using cold water also slows the wear and tear on clothes, which can add up to savings in the long run.

7. Hang dry clothes, when possible.

While washing machines have become fairly efficient, dryers have a long way to go. To prove a point, new dryers haven’t been rated by Energy Star yet because there hasn’t been much improvement over the years. When it comes to drying laundry, the most sustainable option is to replace machine use with air drying, both indoors and outdoors. If you’re in the United States, there’s a good chance you’ll take a hard pass on this tip but worldwide most people don’t have access to a dryer. Whereas 75 percent of households in the US own a clothes dryer, for example, only about half of households in Europe own one, according to the Netherlands Statistical Office. Some folks argue that the popularity of the dryer in the United States has as much to do with culture as convenience.

Regardless, there’s no question that hang drying clothes is better for the environment, but it’s also better for your wallet as it saves energy and extends the life of your clothes. For drying delicate pieces or in cooler weather, I use a collapsible indoor rack like this one and, for drying clothes outdoors, our family installed a sturdy wooden line in the backyard like this one. If you want your laundry to have that fluffy “dryer” feel, you can always dry them completely on the line and then pop them in the dryer for a few minutes to fluff them up. If sanitation is a concern, you’ll be relieved to know the sun is naturally antibacterial. It’s also the cheapest, most effective bleach around, so you’ll want to place your whites in the brightest, sunniest spot in your yard and turn colored clothes inside out to prevent fading.

8. Use natural soap.

When selecting a laundry detergent, choose natural, if possible. Most commercial laundry detergents leave a chemical residue on your clothing, which can be absorbed by your skin and lungs. The residues have been linked to all sorts of health problems, including skin and eye irritation, eczema, rashes, and endocrine disruption. Some of the chemicals in laundry detergent are known carcinogens, while others are not only harmful to your skin and health, but also to the environment.

There are lots of natural laundry detergents on the market, but since an inherently good word (“natural”) has been co-opted by marketers to “green wash” their products, it’s useful to know which ingredients are safe and which are not. When it comes to ingredients, ideally you want to look for detergents that are free of dyes and the following harsh chemicals.

·      Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE). NPE is a surfactant, a wetting agent that helps water penetrate fabric. Unfortunately, it mimics estrogen in the body and causes hormone imbalances and reproductive problems. It’s also a suspected carcinogen and has been banned in Canada and Europe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, NPEs are highly toxic to aquatic life.

·      Sodium hypochlorite (bleach). Bleach is highly toxic to the human body and can cause severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory irritation as well as developmental, endocrine, and reproductive effects. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives it an F rating and notes that it’s also highly toxic to aquatic life.

·      Fragrances. Fragrances in laundry detergents are designed to stay in clothing after washing, which means they pose an extra risk since they can rub against and be absorbed by your skin. They’re often manufactured from petroleum and coal tar and are classified as carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, and skin and respiratory irritants. One of the problems with fragrances is that they’re self-regulated, so there’s no way to know what’s in them. In household products like laundry detergents, fragrances are considered trade secrets that can potentially mask hundreds of ingredients.

·      Phthalates. Phthalates are often in laundry detergent but aren’t necessarily included on the ingredient label as they’re often tucked in under the “fragrance” label. Phthalates have been shown to cause hormone disruption.

·      Optical brighteners. Brighteners are chemicals that stay on your clothes to absorb UV light and minimize yellow to make clothes look brighter. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends staying away from them as they can cause skin irritation and harm the environment (for one thing, they’re non-biodegradable and stick around for hundreds of years, leaching chemicals into the soil and water). Brighteners aren’t always included on the ingredient label, but as a general rule of thumb, if a detergent is labeled biodegradable, it probably doesn’t contain them.

·      Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. government and the World Health Organization. Health concerns associated with formaldehyde include cancer, skin irritation, and organ toxicity.

·      1, 4 Dioxane. This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in animal studies and is considered by the state of California to be potentially toxic to the brain and central nervous system, kidneys, liver, and respiratory system.

·      Quaternium-15. Sometimes called “quats”, these chemicals release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

·      Phosphates and EDTA. Phosphates are used to make detergents more effective in hard water. Unfortunately, they cause algal blooms that kill aquatic flora and fauna and damage aquatic ecosystems. Most detergents have eliminated phosphates, but they’ve replaced them with EDTA, which has been found to be toxic to animals.

Now that you know what to avoid, let’s look at things you do want in a natural detergent. Look for:

·      Labels indicating the product is biodegradable, plant-based, and petroleum-free.

·      Natural whiteners such as sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate.

·      Other safe ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, castile soap, enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils.

If, after reading this, you find yourself wringing your hands and biting your nails in the detergent aisles, try using The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database to check a product’s safety score.

9. Choose laundry detergents that reduce waste.

When it comes to choosing a detergent that’s low-waste, there are two things to consider: packaging and concentration. In terms of packaging, if possible choose detergents that come in recyclable, non-plastic packaging. Laundry detergent bottles are typically made from #2 plastic or HDPE, which is the safest and most recyclable plastic available. That said, some detergents come in non-recyclable plastics so be sure to check the plastic number on the bottom and make sure your local recycling company accepts it.

Some brands like Seventh Generation use cardboard boxes for the bulk of their packaging. The powder comes in a thin single-use bag inside the box, but compared to big plastic tubs of detergent, the impact is minimal (remember that only 9% of all plastic gets recycled). If you’re really lucky and have access to a refill store that carries natural detergents in bulk, consider bringing your own containers, taring them at customer service, and stocking up to prevent packaging waste and extra trips to and from the store. There’s also the option of buying concentrated detergents like Biokleen, which have removed most of the water and filler from the formula to conserve packaging and limit waste.

If you have time and aren’t intimidated by DIYs, you can also try making your own laundry soap. Some people prefer something with more of a detergent formulation, but I’ve been pleased with this soap. It’s easy to make and is extremely low-waste, especially since the ingredients can be used for in variety of other household products and recipes.

Ingredients

1, 5-ounce bar castile soap

1 cup washing soda

1 cup baking soda

1 up coarse salt

Directions

Chop the soap into 1 inch pieces. Place in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add remaining ingredients and pulse into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container and use 1-2 tbsp per load.

10. Ditch the fabric softener

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommends skipping fabric softeners altogether, which they say “pack a powerful combination of chemicals that can harm your health, damage the environment, and pollute the air inside and outside your home.” Most fabric softeners contain unregulated fragrances, preservatives, colors, and “quats” (see above), which are known to trigger asthma and linger on the clothing you wear and linens you sleep in long after they’ve been removed from the dryer.

Instead of using commercial softeners, add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will soften linens and fabrics and remove musky, stinky odors. If you’re worried about the smell of vinegar, you’ll be pleased to know the smell dissipates in the wash.

11. Steer clear of disposable dryer sheets.

If you do use the dryer, steer clear of dryer sheets, which are not only single-use and disposable but also covered in harsh chemicals (including phthalates) and synthetic fragrances.  As an alternative, you can use wool dryer balls like these with each load. Not only do they help prevent static, but they also soften fabrics and speed up the drying time by promoting air circulation. If you want to make them fragrant like dryer sheets, you can add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oils to each ball. For sustainably sourced essential oils, I like Mountain Rose Herbs. Another option for keeping your clothes smelling fresh is to stuff dried lavender in muslin bags that you can store in your closet and drawers.

12. Ditch chlorine bleach.

I’ve mentioned bleach in laundry detergents, but some people also use it separately to whiten clothes. Instead, try using white vinegar, non-chlorine oxygen bleach, or baking soda to brighten your clothes. With the latter, simply add 1/2 cup to the rinse cycle of your washing machine where it can brighten and deodorize your laundry. You can also dry your clothes in the sun, which is the safest, cheapest bleach around!

13. DIY stain removers.

Skip commercial stain removers and either use a bar of soap like this one from Fire Lake Soapery (which ships plastic-free) or try making a spray by mixing ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, 2 tbsp castile soap, and 20 drops of lemon essential oils. Simply apply them to the affected area and let the garment soak for 5-10 minutes before adding it to the wash.

14. Try making a homemade ironing spray.

Commercial ironing sprays contain a host of questionable ingredients, including GMO cornstarch, propane, polyethylene glycol, and fragrances. If you have time, you can try making this spray that works incredibly well in my experience.

Ingredients

1/3 cup vodka

1 tsp lemon juice

2/3 cup water

Directions

Combine ingredients and store in a glass bottle.

15. Choose dry cleaners carefully.

Take care when choosing a dry cleaner. Most of them still use the solvent perchloroethylene (PERC), which the EPA considers a health and environmental hazard. In the 1990s, the EPA started regulating dry cleaning and encouraging commercial cleaners to use safer, more environmentally friendly solvents. Since then, “green dry cleaners'“ have sprung up, offering alternative cleaning methods. The two that are considered safest for people and the environment are wet cleaning and liquid carbon dioxide cleaning. Before investing in dry cleaning, I’d recommend asking your dry cleaner which of the methods is used in their cleaning process.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading all the way to the end. I hope I didn’t scare you but instead empowered you to make the best decision for your health and the environment. Xx