The Summer of Sustainable Laundry

Summer is a time for fun in the sun and relaxation, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to wash your clothes more sustainably. At Amour Vert, our passion is creating a sustainable future, which is why we always use sustainable laundry practices to do our part in reducing water consumption, energy usage, and chemical runoff into local ecosystems.

If you want to join us in the summer of sustainable laundry, this article will explore some ways you can make your routine more eco-friendly — from washing clothes full loads of laundry in cold water to air drying your garments instead of using a dryer. Following these sustainable laundry tips ensures your wardrobe stays fresh and clean this summer without impacting the environment.

Washing Clothes in Cold Water is Key to Sustainable Laundry Practices

Did you know about 90 percent of your washing machine’s energy is spent heating the water? If you want to do your part in protecting the environment, washing your clothes in cold water reduces your carbon footprint by up to 10 percent and saves money on your utility bills! 

Besides saving energy, cold water is much gentler on fabrics, helping them to retain their color and shape better over time. Cold-water cycles also reduce the amount of chemical runoff that enters local ecosystems when detergents are washed away with used laundry water.

Here are several things you can do to ensure optimal results from your laundry routine:

• Start by sorting clothing items into darks and lights before laundering
• Use an eco-friendly detergent designed explicitly for cold-water washes
• Always check care labels before washing any item
• Avoid using too much detergent, which can make colors fade quickly or leave residue behind on fabric surfaces

Another Favorite Sustainable Laundry Process — Air Drying Clothes

Air drying clothes is another excellent way to save energy and preserve the environment — all while keeping your clothes looking their best. Air drying eliminates the need for electricity, and it can also be beneficial in maintaining fabrics from shrinking or losing their shape over time. In fact, the sun’s natural ultraviolet light will help brighten whites without fading other colors.

As for methods of air-drying clothes, there are several ways that you can do so, depending on what kind of space or equipment you have available. If weather permits and you have room in your yard or patio, hanging garments outside on a line is one of the most traditional (and cost-effective) methods available. You could also use an indoor drying rack if space is limited—these come in all sizes and shapes, so they’re easy to store when not in use. Finally, collapsible hangers that hang over doors or shower rods are another option if you don’t have any outdoor space. 

No matter which method you choose for air-drying your clothes, make sure not to overload them, as this will prevent them from properly airing out and may leave behind creases or wrinkles that may be hard to get rid of later on.

How to Save Water When Doing Laundry — Wash Full Loads of Laundry

Saving water is an integral part of making your laundry routine more sustainable. If you’re wondering how to save water when doing laundry, wash fewer but larger loads each time. Washing full loads will allow you to reduce the amount of water and energy used in each cycle and cut down costs on your energy bill in the long run. Be sure to select the full load setting, which helps ensure that all clothes get evenly distributed throughout the washer so they’re properly cleaned and don’t come out creased.

When it comes to tips for washing full loads of laundry, there are several things that you should keep in mind:

• Always separate your darker clothing from the lighter pieces
• Avoid overloading the machine. Leaving some space between garments will allow them to move around freely during the wash cycle
• Select a lower spin speed if available
• Consider investing in a front-load washer, which was designed to conserve both water and energy compared to top-loading machines

Start Spot-Treating Stained Items Instead of Doing a Full Load for One or Two Pieces

Spot-treating stains before laundering clothes are essential to a kinder laundry routine. Not only does it promote sustainability by reducing the amount of detergent needed to clean garments (saving you money), but it also minimizes energy usage. When done correctly, spot treating can extend the life of your items while preserving the overall color and feel of fabrics.

You can start tackling stains in several ways, depending on which material you’re dealing with. For oil-based or greasy spills on fabric, use a pre-treatment product specifically designed for these kinds of messes—it should be applied directly onto the stain before laundering to break down the grease molecules and make them easier to wash away when put into a machine cycle later.

For more delicate fabrics — like our Amour Vert Washable Silk collection — try using a gentle soap solution of warm water and mild liquid detergent. This method will help release dirt particles without risking damage from harsh chemicals or hot temperatures. Finally, for tough stains such as red wine or coffee, consider investing in an enzyme cleaner specially formulated for breaking down these types of discolorations quickly and effectively.

Are You Ready to Kickstart Your More Sustainable Summer?

Following the above steps, you can be on your way to creating a healthier laundry practice that reduces your carbon footprint.

Creating a wardrobe of consciously-crafted, high-quality clothing made from sustainable materials like bamboo or organic cotton will also reduce your environmental footprint in the long run. Our ECOVERO™ Viscose collection is a great place to start, as it uses tree fiber fabric, allowing us to save 50 percent in water and emissions during production.

If you’re looking for style inspiration, check out all of our collections at Amour Vert – we have an amazing selection of fashionable yet eco-friendly pieces that are perfect for summer!