We have all been so busy finding ways to create zero waste kitchens and bathrooms we forgot one other, very important space. It makes sense why this room has been overlooked. Kitchens and bathrooms do produce a lot of waste and it's important we find ways to reduce said waste. But, hear us out. We cannot forget this room either. This room accounts for approximately 6% of a home’s energy use (and that’s just one appliance).
It’s time we all take a long, hard look at our laundry room. Then we need to ask ourselves how we can create a greener to zero waste space here, too. You're not alone in figuring out how to make your laundry room more sustainable. We're here to help. We have three products at Lochtree that will make your laundry room greener.
Also, if this is where you are starting your zero waste journey, you're in the right place. There is no bad place to start your sustainability journey. Small changes may not feel like enough to combat climate change at times. Remember, it is small changes in our everyday life that add up overtime to create a more sustainable planet.
Remove microfibers with Cora Ball
Did you know tiny micro plastics that have broken off of other plastic products contribute to up to 35% of the ocean’s plastic pollution? The best solution to combat microfibers is to buy non-synthetic or low-synthetic clothing. The next best solution is using a Cora Ball in your washer.
Cora Ball’s spiraling design is similar to the ways in which coral reefs filter the ocean. The ball catches the microfibers rather than allowing them to enter waterways. When you’re done washing your clothes, take the ball out of the washer, and dispose of the microfibers. This keeps these tiny pieces of plastic away from the ocean. The fish will thank you!
Shop for Cora Ball.
Buy Plastic Free Laundry Detergent, like Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent
Remember when we used to do laundry, and we’d drag a giant jug of chemicals out? Then, we'd pour it into a little plastic cup, and our noses would burn as we dumped the concoction over our clothing? Remember how it was a smell you couldn’t escape for the first hour of wearing freshly washed clothes? Yeah - us too. We’re grateful we all realized we deserve better than the giant, chemical jug.
This brings us to Eco-Strips laundry detergent. We love Eco-Strips laundry detergent for a handful of reasons. They reduce transportation pollution by 94% due to the fact they only weigh 3gs (no giant jugs here). They’re also a plastic free laundry detergent. They’re 100% biodegradable, vegan and cruelty free, and they make your dirty laundry real clean. So many wins in one tiny compact product, it’s one of the easiest switches you can make towards having a greener home. Not to mention a space saver for anyone living our your best van life or in a tiny home!
Another easy switch to consider when using Eco-Strips laundry detergent is washing your clothes in cold water. About 75% of the energy used to clean your clothes comes from heating up the water. You will be conserving energy and saving money when you wash your clothes in cold water. You may also notice that your clothes stay vibrant and last longer. It's a wonder we even started washing our clothes in warm water...
Shop for Eco-Strip Laundry Detergent.
Ditch the Dryer Sheets with Wool Dryer Balls
Imagine being able to choose any fragrance you wanted to dry your clothes in. Now, imagine being able to switch fragrances from load to load. Want your underwear to smell like lemons? Done. Want your jeans to smell like mint? You got it! Want your favorite t-shirt to smell like cloves, oranges, and cinnamon? You mix those essential oils and don’t let anyone tell you not to!
Wool dryer balls remove static and wrinkles, and help your clothes dry quicker. Like washing your clothes in cold water, you're saving energy and money. Not to mention you're saving the one commodity you can never get back in life, time! Who likes waiting on the dryer to finish? No one, that's who.
Also, these wool dryer balls last for up to 1,000 loads! Ever see a dryer sheet make it passed one load? Yeah, that's what we thought - weak sauce. When you invest in wool dryer balls you're saving money, trips to the grocery store to buy-another-box-of-dryer-sheets-because-you-ran-out-and-still-have-one-load, and the planet.
While switching to dryer balls is easy, we also want to take a moment to share that the most sustainable method of drying your clothes is to hang dry. If you aren’t able to completely hand dry your clothes, you can also do a partial dry. We highly recommend the partial dry with our wool dryer balls and then hang your clothes to dry after.
Shop for Wool Dryer Balls.
Your Green Laundry Room Awaits
Our laundry rooms may have been the host to the giant jug of chemicals before, but a green laundry room awaits. This means that we get to enjoy our clean, fresh, smell good laundry with less plastic, toxins, water waste, and energy waste.
Remember, little steps done continuously add up to big differences. If you’re intimidated to change your laundry routine, that’s ok! Buy one product or try one method mentioned in this blog post at a time. You'll find its easier than you think and will have no problem adopting other green practices. The laundry room can be a great place to start making greener and zero waste choices in your home. It’s often a small room with plenty of opportunities to make sustainable choices.
So whether you’ve finished up your zero waste kitchen and bathroom and are looking to start making another room in your home more sustainable, or, if this will be your first step on your sustainable journey, the laundry room needs our intentional purchases and decisions. Start with purchasing Wool Dryer Balls, Eco-Strip Laundry Detergent and Cora Ball to help protect the planet, with every load.
