Laundry Room: Eco-Friendly Tips for Your Home

Entry #128, July 1, 2010

The laundry room can be one of the biggest water consumption rooms in your home. Depending on your appliances and how often you use them, being environmentally friendly is a must. This is especially true if you are using older appliances. However, the antiquated parts in these older appliances can be replaced, or even better, all new appliances sporting the latest in energy-efficient technology can be bought. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has some guidelines on how to save water, buy new appliances, and practice better laundry green practices.

Laundry Green Practices from EPA.gov.

Green laundry practices can substantially reduce energy and water use in your home. Consider these green

practices when shopping for laundry supplies or cleaning your next load of laundry:

• Wash only full loads of laundry, and select the appropriate water level or load size option on the washing machine and dryer.
• Buy items, such as laundry detergent and fabric softener, with minimal packaging.
• Buy items in bulk or in concentrated form (e.g., concentrated laundry detergent).
• Dry clothes on a line, rather than in the dryer.
• Use cold-water wash cycles when appropriate. About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes in a conventional top-load washer is for heating the water.

Ever wonder what all the yellow Energy guide sticker information is telling you? Here’s a simple breakdown that will help you save money, water, and the earth.

Guidelines for buying a washer machine

available at Energy Star.

At Energy Star – the clothes washer guide will explain how to read the yellow label on the models in the store.

For more water conservation tips visit green living tips on Stagetecture