Written by Angie Tran
Laundering clothes can wreak havoc on the environment from the high energy consumption, large volumes of water, bulky single-use plastic detergent jugs and dryer sheets.
Why not turn laundry care into a ritual of self-care and kindness towards both yourself and the planet? Choose non-toxic cleaning supplies and complete the task with sustainable practices.
Revamp your laundry care routine with these simple steps, which will not only help you love your clothes for longer, but keep the earth in mind:
1. WASH CLOTHES LESS OFTEN
Of course items such as underwear, socks and sweaty workout wear should be washed after each use, jeans, sweaters and jackets can often be worn for a few extra wears before popping in the wash.
2. WASH WITH A COLD CYCLE
When selecting your cycle’s water temperature, opt for cold as often as possible. Not only will this save on your energy consumption, as more electricity is needed to heat the water, it’ll also save you money on your hydro bill.
3. FILL ER’ UP!
Don’t wash just a few items, be sure to fill your washing machine to its recommended capacity and always ensure you’re selecting the right load size to match the water needed.
4. DITCH THE PLASTIC JUG
Bulky, single-use plastic laundry detergent jugs are designed to hold liquid for such a short amount of time and then are discarded where they clog up landfills and destroy our oceans. Select a more sustainable, eco-friendly option such as Kind Laundry’s ultra-concentrated, zero-waste laundry detergent sheets.
5. USE WOOL DRYER BALLS
Pop these handy eco-friendly must-haves into your dryer for a tumble to reduce static electricity, wrinkles and help dry clothes faster. Single-use dryer sheets are just that, single-use, whereas wool dryer balls can be reused over and over for hundreds of loads. Plus, dryer sheets are filled with toxic chemicals coming into close contact with your clothes .. gross!
6. SKIP THE DRYER ALL TOGETHER
Let the sunshine and wind do the work. A beautiful spring or summer day offers the perfect conditions to hang your clothes outside to dry. A cold winter month in Canada? Make use of a sturdy drying rack for indoor use. Skip the dryer and the increased energy consumption all together.
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Angie Tran is the co-founder of Kind Laundry - a sustainable laundry care brand. Prior to that, she held Marketing positions at advertising agencies and across various industries such as finance and luxury hotels. She is passionate about health and wellness, eats a plant-based diet, loves animals and spending time in nature. She started Kind Laundry with her husband, which represents their values in trying to live a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle.