Sustainable laundry tips and practices

Reducing your carbon footprint on laundry day can be helpful to both the environment and your wallet, and incorporating sustainable practices may help you save on energy costs over time. Use this guide to explore eco-friendly laundry tips to help make your laundry routine a little greener.

Eco-friendly laundry tips

Making a few simple changes to your routine can help you care for your family and the environment. Explore the following eco-friendly laundry practices to get started on your sustainability journey.

1. Wash clothes less frequently

Before you toss clothes into the laundry hamper, give them a closer look. If there aren’t any apparent stains, soils or odors, you may be able to save water and energy by giving your items an additional wear before they need to be washed.

2. Use HE detergent

Using high-efficiency (HE) detergents helps get your clothes clean while producing less suds and using less water than traditional laundry detergent when used in an HE washing machine.

3. Select cooler temperatures

Your washer uses more energy to heat water to high temperatures during the wash cycle. Selecting warm or cold water temperatures can cut your washer’s energy usage by half, according to energystar.gov.

4. Activate an extra spin cycle

Once the wash cycle ends, you can select a Drain and Spin Cycle that removes excess liquid from your clothes using rapid spin speeds. Getting rid of the extra water can help lower the amount of energy your dryer needs to dry your clothes.

5. Run full loads whenever possible

Waiting to do your laundry until you have a full load can help reduce the energy used throughout your laundry routine. Washing machines typically use about the same amount of energy for each load size, just be sure you don’t overload your machine.

It is important to note that your washer’s water usage can vary depending on the cycle you select. If you’re in a pinch and need to wash a smaller load, be sure to select a cycle that’s appropriate for your load size.

6. Always clean the dryer lint trap

Cleaning your dryer’s lint trap before every drying cycle is not only a safety tip, but it can also help improve the airflow inside your dryer to ensure heat is distributed properly.

7. Opt for sensor drying

Timed drying cycles may use more energy than needed to dry your clothes. Opt for a sensor drying cycle that automatically shuts off when your laundry is finished drying.

What are sustainable laundry products?

You can be sure that your laundry detergent, fabric softener or dryer sheets are greener when they’re certified with the Safer Choice label from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Products with this label contain safer ingredients for your health and the environment.

What is eco-friendly laundry detergent?

Eco-friendly laundry detergent may be certified with the Safer Choice label from the EPA after passing strict criteria based on the detergent’s performance, packaging, pH levels and ingredient list. The Safer Choice label indicates that a product is safer for the environment.

Is liquid or powder detergent better for the environment?

There isn’t a black-and-white answer to which form of laundry detergent is better for the environment, whether it’s powder, liquid or pods. To make sure you’re using the most environmentally-friendly option, check the packaging for the Safer Choice label from the EPA.

Is it better to do small loads of laundry?

When it comes to washing your clothes, your machine uses around the same amount of energy regardless of load size, so it is recommended to run full loads when you can.

However, load size can impact the water usage of your washing machine. In general, larger loads require more water to effectively clean your clothes compared to smaller loads. Whirlpool^® HE top load washing machines use less water during the wash cycle compared to traditional washers.

What is an eco-friendly way to dry clothes?

Although hanging clothes to dry uses the least amount of energy overall, you can reduce your carbon footprint while still using your dryer. Before you begin drying, give your items an extra spin in the washer to remove excess water, then dry on low heat to reduce the energy usage of your machine.

Explore ENERGY STAR^® Certified washers and dryers from Whirlpool brand

Whether you’re looking for front load or top load washers, gas or electric dryers, Whirlpool brand has ENERGY STAR^® Certified options to help you care for your family. Shop select models with green features like the EcoBoost™ option that uses less heat and extended cycle times for greater energy efficiency,¹ Advanced Moisture Sensing that stops the drying cycle at the right time to prevent overdrying or the Cold Wash Cycle that lets you skip the heat while you care for your laundry.