Laundry Day, Reimagined: 6 Habits for a Greener Wash
Laundry may seem pretty innocent, but the fact is, it can take a huge toll on the environment. A single wash cycle can consume up to 40 gallons of water and nearly 90 percent of the energy generated is used to heat the water itself. Consider the impact of a year's worth of laundry, and water temperature, load sizes, and drying methods start to seem a lot more important than they probably ever were before. The good news is, every one of these can be greatly changed without any undue hardship.
Short on time? Here's the summary:
- Only full loads should be put into the washing machine, as a half load is a waste of water and energy.
- Cold water washes should be used in 4 out of 5 loads, because they are effective and less damaging to natural fibers.
- Use a biodegradable, phosphate free detergent, and don't over dose the machine.
- Always try to air dry sheets, and if not possible, remember to clean the lint filter in the dryer.
- Washing bed sheets should be done once a week, not every day.
- And finally, buy clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton and linen, rather than plastic ones.
1. Only Run Full Loads
Washing machines use about the same amount of energy washing a half-load as they do a full load. To save energy, wash full loads.
If you're washing a single set of sheets with a few towels thrown in for good measure, you're wasting water and electricity on a partial load. Wait until you have enough laundry to really fill up the machine, which for most people means saving their bedding wash for the same day as their towels or other linens.
2. Wash in Cold Water Whenever Possible
Cold water will clean most laundry, and it uses a lot less energy than hot water (which is where the majority of the washer's energy goes).
Up to 90 percent of the energy used by a washer goes into heating the water, so the next best thing is using cold water as much as possible. Cold water is also easier on natural fabrics like cotton and linen, so that your favorite sheets don't wear out after a few washes. Hot water can degrade the fibers and cause colors to run, so save hot washes for when someone in the household is sick.
3. Choose (and Correctly Dose) a Biodegradable Detergent
A phosphate-free, biodegradable detergent will help reduce water pollution, and using less of it will reduce the amount of residue that dulls fabric and holds odor.
Look for detergents that are free of phosphates and synthetic fragrances and that come in recyclable or bulk packaging. Just as important, use the correct amount of detergent. Over-dosing doesn’t get sheets whiter or cleaner—it leaves behind a film that reduces breathability and will eventually stiffen cotton or linen fabric. One whiff test: use a plant-based detergent on a set of our organic cotton sheets, and you’ll notice how a properly dosed detergent maintains their softness after each wash.
4. Air-Dry When You Can
Air-drying requires no electricity at all and is one of the highest-impact tweaks you can make, but a clean lint filter and modest heat will keep dryer use efficient in its absence.
A drying rack or line will save energy (and cash) while being kinder to fibers, as tumble drying is a significant cause of fabric wear and shrinkage over the life of a sheet set. Drying on a lower heat setting, cleaning the lint trap with every load, and using wool dryer balls in place of single-use dryer sheets are other options if line-drying isn't an option due to weather or space constraints, as they reduce time spent in the dryer and prevent landfill waste.
5. Wash Sheets Weekly, Not Daily
Sleep and textile-care guidance generally recommends washing bed sheets once every week as a rule of thumb: washing them more than this wastes water and shortens the lifespan of the sheets for no appreciable hygiene benefit to most families.
This is a habit that's specific to bedding in particular and laundry in general — sheets aren't like other wearable items in that they're worn everyday instead of a periodical once per day. Maintaining weekly washes helps keep them from getting too old and worn out, which is especially important for natural fibers like cotton or linen that are supposed to get softer and more comfortable with age in between washes.
6. Choose Natural Fibers Over Synthetic Blends
Natural fibers like cotton or linen do not contribute microplastic fibers to ocean waterways with every wash the way synthetic and blended materials do.
Microplastics from laundry are believed to be responsible for over 30% of ocean microplastics. Tiny fibers from polyesters and other plastics used in clothing are let loose with every wash, and the majority are too small to be filtered out by water treatment facilities. Sheets made of 100% cotton or linen, on the other hand, would not leave trace plastic fibers with every use. Another sustainability consideration when choosing fabrics.
A Quick Recap
- Fill the machine before you run it
- Use cold water as a default
- Use a biodegradable detergent, the right amount
- Air-dry if possible, and empty the lint filter otherwise
- Wash sheets once a week, not every day
Prefer cotton or linen over synthetics
Final Thoughts
None of these require buying new stuff or changing your routine uprooting your life. These are all small things that can be implemented over the course of hundreds of laundry loads. Pick the ones that make the most sense to you based on your home situation- maybe you can just wait a day before throwing in another full load, or maybe you can change the temperature setting on your machine. Whatever it is, combining these methods with natural fabrics will have you covered on both fronts.
Ready to make the switch? Explore our organic cotton and linen sheet sets — made from natural, biodegradable fibers that pair naturally with a lower-impact laundry routine.
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How to Take Care of Your Bed Sheets
