Introduction
Doing laundry is an essential household chore, but it comes at an environmental cost. Washing machines use a tremendous amount of energy and water, not to mention the detergents that get flushed down the drain. However, there are ways to dramatically reduce the impact of doing laundry through simple changes like washing with cold water.
I’ve made eco-friendly laundry a priority in my home. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about how to make laundry more sustainable. You’ll learn why washing in cold water is better, what cycle settings work best, how to avoid hot water entirely, and products that help clean better in cold. With a few easy tips, you can save energy, water, and money while keeping your clothes fresh and clean.
Why Wash Clothes in Cold Water?
Saves Energy and Reduces Carbon Emissions
The number one reason to use cold water for laundry is energy savings. Heating water accounts for 90% of the total energy use of a washing machine cycle. By skipping hot water, you can conserve a tremendous amount of electricity.
To put it in perspective, washing a load in cold water can save over 3 kWh of electricity per load compared to hot water cycles. That keeps hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year. Going green does not require sacrificing clean clothes!
Protects Clothes from Damage and Fading
Another big benefit of cold water is it helps clothes last longer. Hot water can cause fabrics to shrink, warp, and fade colors more quickly. The intense heat breaks down fibers faster. Delicate items will maintain their shape and look new for longer when washed in cold water.
Lower temperatures also help prevent stains from setting in fabrics. Protein-based stains like food, sweat, and blood come out more easily when not blasted with hot water. Save your clothes and keep whites brighter by skipping the heat.
Saves Water and Money
Using cold water will save on your energy bill and water consumption. You’ll notice the savings on your utility bill, as heating water makes up 80-85% of the costs of doing a load of laundry. Decrease your water heating expenses and reduce your home’s environmental footprint.
In addition, your clothes will last longer before needing to be replaced when not subjected to hot water damage. Fewer clothing replacements will save you money, especially for delicate items that wear out more quickly. Eco-friendly laundry is budget friendly too!
Cycle Settings for Cold Water Washing
Modern washing machines offer various cycle options to get laundry clean, even in cold water. Take advantage of these settings:
Use the Cold Wash Setting
Many washers today have a dedicated cold wash cycle. This setting is optimized for lower temperature cleaning with longer agitation, soak, and spin times to get clothes clean without hot water.
Activate any other settings like extra rinses or pre-soaks that boost results without heat. When available, the cold wash is the best cycle for green, energy efficient laundry.
Try a Cold Pre-Wash
Washing machines with a pre-wash option are ideal for sustainable laundry. The separate cold water wash before the main cycle helps loosen dirt and stains before clothes are agitated and spun in the regular wash.
Get optimized cleaning results by maximizing the mechanical action instead of high temperatures. I find using the pre-wash function lets me skip hot water completely without compromising cleanliness.
Use Multiple Rinses
When doing laundry in cold water, add in an extra rinse or two to the cycle. The additional rinses remove more detergent residue and dirt particles that may remain without hot water.
Washing with cold water paired with multiple cold rinses prevents redeposition of soils on clothes for the cleanest, freshest results. My laundry comes out thoroughly cleaned with the power of extra rinse time.
Lengthen the Wash Cycle
I look for washing machines that allow cycle time adjustments. Extending the agitation and soak stages of a cold wash gives detergent and water more opportunity to penetrate clothes and lift stains without heat.
If your washer only has set cycles, choose the longest available cold water cycle. The extra wash and rinse minutes replace heat to get laundry thoroughly clean at cold temperatures.
Skip Hot Water Completely
Here are my tips to avoid using hot water for laundry altogether:
Only Buy a Cold-Wash Detergent
Switch to a detergent formulated for cold water. Many standard detergents depend on hot water to activate cleaning agents and enzymes. Using a detergent made for cold washing skips heat without sacrificing performance.
I use Tide Coldwater Clean detergent in my laundry routine. It cleans better in cold water than regular detergents, plus it helps make whites whiter. Look for “coldwater” on the label.
Wash Towels and Sheets Separately
For sanitization, the hottest temperature I use is warm for washing towels, sheets, and underwear. For these I make exceptions by:
- Doing separate warm wash cycles from other laundry.
- Adding bleach alternative like OxiClean or washing soda to boost cleaning.
- Using an added sanitization cycle or soak setting.
With these steps, the rest of my laundry can stay cold water only. Prioritize what items need more heat.
Air Dry When Possible
Skip the dryer and air dry clothes to avoid hot air drying. I dry most items on a clothesline or drying rack. The sun naturally sanitizes and brightens clothes without heat.
For sheets and towels, put them in the dryer for just 10 minutes then air dry the rest of the way. A quick tumble dries them faster before hanging up.
Use Cold Water Features on Your Washer
Look for cold wash cycles, extra rinses, stain treatment settings, and cycle time adjustments when buying a new washing machine. More options to customize a cold wash help cut hot water usage.
I chose the LG WT7100CW washer for the helpful cold wash features. I can skip hot water cycles entirely by leveraging the settings it offers.
Best Products for Cold Water Laundry
To boost cold wash performance, I recommend trying:
Formulated to activate in cold water without heat. Provides optimal cleaning and brightening. My number one laundry product for fighting stains in cold.
Adds sanitizing action to cold water cycles. Helps kill germs and bacteria when washing items like sheets in cold.
Reusable balls to add to the dryer instead of dryer sheets. Reduces static and drying time to aid air drying. Made from wool or plastic.
Pre-treats stains before washing in cold water. Removes set-in marks and spills from coffee to grease. No harsh chemicals.
Start Washing Clothes Green Today
The best way to make laundry more eco-friendly is to wash clothes in cold water instead of hot. Modern machines, detergents, and laundry aids make it possible to skip hot cycles and still get everything clean. Plus you’ll save energy, water, money and extend the life of clothes.
I’ve found switching my laundry routine to washing with cold water to be an easy change with big environmental benefits. Give these tips a try to green your laundry habits today! Let me know in the comments your experience with sustainable laundry practices.
