Your Sustainable Laundry Guide

From the water you use to the energy it takes to dry your clothes, every step in your laundry routine contributes to a significant environmental footprint. Sustainable laundry means making mindful choices such as using eco-friendly detergent, adjusting water temperature, and caring for your clothes and machines - focusing on practical changes over perfection. Working alongside our friends at The Village Refill, the've popped togther a handy guide to help you become more sustainable.

Simple sustainable swaps

Look for brands that use post-consumer waste and minimal packaging to further decrease your laundry’s environmental impact.

• Choose plant-based, biodegradable detergents free from harmful chemicals such as phosphates, chlorine bleach, and synthetic fragrances.

• Opt for concentrated powder detergents in paper bags or recyclable cartons to cut down on plastic waste.

• Boost laundry effectiveness with natural boosters like bicarbonate of soda or Epsom salts; essential oils can be added for fragrance.

• Make your own laundry detergent, combine bicarbonate of soda, borax substitute, washing soda, soap flakes, and essential oils for a homemade powder.  

• Swap chemical fabric softeners for natural options like distilled white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, adding essential oils if preferred.

• Stains may be treated effectively using simple, natural ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar, and lemon juice. Vinegar is particularly useful for addressing mildew, sweat, and grass stains, while bicarbonate of soda helps eliminate odours and grease (note: these should not be used together). Lemon serves as a natural disinfectant and deodoriser, aiding in the removal of grease and stains.

• Use natural bleach (sodium percarbonate) for a gentler approach to laundry whitening and stain removal. Also known as Green Bleach.

• Use a refillable Ecoegg filled with natural mineral pellets for washing - one refill typically lasts around 70 washes.

• Replace single-use dryer sheets with wool dryer balls, which naturally soften clothes, reduce drying time, and can be scented with essential oils.

• Choose bamboo or steel pegs, as they can be composted or recycled at the end of their lifespan.

• DIY laundry solutions Invest in a good book with laundry and stain removal recipes such as Green and Clean by Nancy Birtwhistle.

Sustainable practices

The simplest sustainable practice is to wear clothes longer and do less laundry. Making these changes not only benefits the environment but also leads to cost savings and a longer lifespan for clothing and appliances.

• Invest in energy-efficient appliances when your current machine can no longer be repaired.

• Maintain your washing machine, taking care of your washing machine will keep it in
  great working condition and lasting as long as possible! Simply place 2 cups vinegar in the detergent dispenser (or drum) and run the washer on the highest, longest, and hottest setting.

• Be vigilant against ‘greenwashing’ by researching brands; choose genuinely sustainable options where possible. At The Village Refill we have done that research for you.

• Spot-clean stains right away to avoid washing the entire garment.

• If you’re lucky enough to have off-peak electricity rates, schedule laundry during these cheaper hours to save on energy costs.

• Wash Cold - most modern detergents work well in cold water, saving energy.

• Pre-Soaking, Not Re-Washing: For heavily soiled items, a 30-minute pre-soak is often more effective than running a second wash cycle.

• Air dry clothes instead of using the tumble dryer. Line-dry whenever weather permits, the sun’s UV rays can naturally disinfect your laundry and help whiten whites.

• Store clothes properly - hang up items that need to stay wrinkle-free and fold other clothes neatly to reduce wear and tear.

• Rotate your wardrobe to evenly distribute wear on your clothes, reducing the frequency of washes.

Recycle and reuse

Choose brands that use post-consumer recycled materials and minimal recyclable packaging to cut down on your laundry’s environmental impact.

Buy products with recyclable packaging, rinse all containers to ensure there’s no product left inside and remove lids, small parts and pumps.

Reuse and repurpose containers and refill shop like The Village Refill.

If your laundry appliance can't be repaired, recycle it responsibly. Some retailers accept old appliances for recycling, or you can take them to your local recycling centre.

Transitioning to sustainable laundry

You don’t have to complete every single step perfectly to say you have a sustainable laundry routine. Making small changes when you can and however you can is what’s most important.