Eco-Friendly Laundry: 12 Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Impact

The Environmental Cost of Laundry

The average American household does about 300 loads of laundry per year. Each load uses 15 to 45 gallons of water, significant energy to heat that water and run the dryer, and chemical detergents that eventually enter the water system. Synthetic fabrics release microplastics into waterways with every wash.

You cannot eliminate laundry's environmental impact entirely, but you can reduce it significantly without sacrificing clean clothes. Here are 12 practical ways to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly.

1. Wash in Cold Water

Heating water accounts for about 90 percent of a washing machine's energy use. Modern detergents are formulated to work effectively in cold water. Switching from hot to cold for most loads is the single biggest environmental change you can make to your laundry routine.

When to use warm or hot: Towels, bedsheets, and items that need sanitizing (sick household member, pet messes). Everything else can go cold.

2. Only Run Full Loads

A half-full washer uses nearly the same water and energy as a full one. Waiting until you have a full load before running the machine reduces your total number of wash cycles -- and your water and energy consumption -- by 20 to 30 percent.

3. Choose Plant-Based or Biodegradable Detergent

Conventional laundry detergents contain phosphates, synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and petroleum-based surfactants that persist in waterways and harm aquatic life. Plant-based detergents use biodegradable ingredients that break down more quickly.

Look for detergents certified by the EPA Safer Choice program or with clear ingredient lists. Avoid "fragrance" as a listed ingredient -- it often contains dozens of undisclosed chemicals.

4. Use Less Detergent

More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent creates excess suds that trap dirt, leave residue on fabric, and require extra water to rinse. Most loads need about half the amount the manufacturer recommends.

Using less detergent is good for the environment, good for your clothes, and good for your wallet.

5. Skip the Fabric Softener

Liquid fabric softener coats fibers with a waxy chemical layer to make them feel soft. This coating reduces fabric breathability, builds up over time, and enters the water system with every rinse. It is entirely unnecessary.

Alternatives: Wool dryer balls (reusable for 1,000+ loads), a splash of white vinegar in the rinse cycle (natural softener, no residual smell), or simply skipping softener entirely.

6. Air Dry When Possible

Your clothes dryer is one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. Air drying -- on a rack, clothesline, or even draped over chairs -- eliminates that energy use entirely for the items you air dry.

You do not have to air dry everything. Start with lighter items: t-shirts, underwear, athletic wear, and delicates. These dry quickly and benefit from the gentler treatment.

7. Use a Microplastic Filter

Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex) release tiny plastic fibers -- microplastics -- with every wash cycle. These fibers are too small for water treatment plants to filter and end up in oceans, rivers, and eventually the food chain.

External lint filters designed for washing machines (like the Filtrol or PlanetCare) capture a significant portion of these fibers before they enter the drain. A washing bag designed for synthetics (like a Guppyfriend) also reduces fiber release.

8. Wash Clothes Less Often

Not everything needs to be washed after one wear. Unless visibly soiled or noticeably smelly:

• Jeans: Every 4 to 5 wears
• Sweaters and sweatshirts: Every 3 to 4 wears
• Pajamas: Every 3 to 4 wears
• Bras: Every 3 to 4 wears
• Jackets and outerwear: As needed

Items that should be washed after every wear: underwear, socks, workout clothes, and anything worn next to skin during strenuous activity.

Washing less extends garment life, saves water and energy, and reduces the chemical load entering your local water system.

9. Choose Natural Fiber Clothing When Possible

The most sustainable laundry starts at the store. Clothing made from natural fibers -- cotton, linen, wool, hemp, silk -- does not shed microplastics during washing. Organic cotton and linen are particularly sustainable choices.

This is a long-term shift, not an overnight change. As you replace worn-out items, consider natural fiber alternatives.

10. Maintain Your Machines

A well-maintained washing machine and dryer run more efficiently. Clean the lint trap before every dryer load. Run an empty hot cycle with vinegar or a machine cleaner monthly to prevent mold and buildup. Check hoses and seals annually.

Efficient machines use less energy and water per load. When it is time to replace a washer, look for an Energy Star certified model -- they use about 25 percent less energy and 33 percent less water than standard machines.

11. Use a Laundromat for Big Loads

Commercial washing machines at laundromats are more water-efficient and energy-efficient per pound of laundry than most home machines. A single large commercial washer handles the equivalent of three or four home loads, using less total water and energy.

At Laundriii, our machines range from small units at $3.25 to 90 lb mega washers at $11. For big loads -- bedding, accumulated weekly laundry, or household items -- a single commercial wash is more environmentally efficient than running your home machine four times.

Visit us at 1795 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95128. Open 7am to 10pm daily.

12. Try a Professional Wash and Fold Service

Professional laundry facilities process large volumes of laundry with commercial equipment that is more water- and energy-efficient than residential machines. By consolidating many households' laundry into a single facility with optimized processes, the per-pound environmental impact is often lower than individual home washing.

Laundriii's wash and fold service is $1.75 per pound, 10 lb minimum, with 24-hour turnaround. Our pickup and delivery service means you do not even need to drive, further reducing your carbon footprint.

Subscriptions start at $99/mo for the Me Myself & i plan (2 bags, up to 30 lbs each). Use code WELCOME20 for $20 off your first month.

Small Changes, Real Impact

You do not need to overhaul your entire life to make your laundry routine more sustainable. Start with one or two changes -- cold water and full loads are the easiest wins. Over time, each small adjustment compounds into a meaningful reduction in water use, energy consumption, chemical waste, and microplastic pollution.

Laundriii is at 1795 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95128. Open 7am to 10pm daily. Call 888-411-8081 with questions.