MCC Daily Tribune

Green Tip: Green your Laundry Routine

Everyday detergents are one of the primary sources of chemical pollution found in water supplies. Phosphates from detergents are released into wastewater when you use them for laundry. These chemicals can affect aquatic life and humans as well as Mark Nelson notes in “How Do Detergents Contribute to Chemical Water Pollution?” 

We all need to wash our clothes, so what can we do? Select options are friendlier to the environment!

• Launder less often – items like jeans, jackets, and pullovers can generally be worn a few times before tossing them in the laundry basket
• Wash in colder water
• Wash fuller loads – fill up the washing machine three-fourths full to make the best use of water and energy without overloading the machine
• Use shorter cycles
• Line dry
• Select a biodegradable or eco-friendly detergent
  • Made without phosphates or heavy metals
  • Uses recycled materials in packaging that is recyclable itself
  • Uses reclaimed water in their products
• Use concentrated detergents
  • Use less water in production
  • Smaller packaging reduces plastic and fuel used in production
  • Choose Green-e® certified manufacturers - companies that use Green-e certified renewable energy in production
• Use alternatives that are eco-friendly
  • White Vinegar – effective in removing stains, brightening fabric and acting as a fabric softener
  • Soap Nuts – Fruit of the soap nut tree (in the lychee family), use 5-7 nuts in a muslin bag that you put in with your wash with hot water. Good for 4-5 washes, then compost the used soap nuts. You can also create a soap nuts liquid for use in cold water washing.
  • Make your own – from baking soda, washing soda, borax and soap flakes
• Rinse, secure the cap, and recycle any empty detergent bottle

Ann Penwarden
Sustainability Steering Committee
03/14/2023