By Carol Fung

A greener laundry list.

The way we do our laundry is polluting the planet. Finding a greener way to care for clothes is a daily task that can go a long way to decrease carbon emissions, reduce microplastic pollution and our overall environmental impact.

Buying less clothing is an important part of the sustainability equation with estimates from McKinsey and the World Economic Forum suggesting the number of garments made each year has at least doubled since 2000.

Being conscious of the fast fashion industry, as well as the potential for microplastic pollution can go a long way towards a sustainable future.

Let’s take a look at seven greener ways you can care for clothes.

1. Use the better washer, the front loader.

Energy Star-certified washing machines use about 25% less electricity than older models, but you might save even more by using a front-loading machine which takes advantage of tub rotation and gravity. They also use water more efficiently by spraying clothes instead of soaking them.

2. Know how to dry and when.

If you really must use a dryer machine, opt for one that recycles hot air instead of venting it out. For those on a tighter budget squeeze, using a normal dryer at a lower temperature over a longer period of time is less energy-intensive, as is drying when electric grid demand is low. That means, midday if you’re in a place with lots of sunshine or solar power, otherwise late at night.

3. A breath of fresh, free air.

The cheapest and most environmentally friendly solutions almost always come free from nature. Whenever possible, always, always hang your clothes out to dry, even if you’re indoors. Just make sure you open up those windows for good airflow. Dryers in the US consumed 57.4 billion kWh of electricity in 2015 — that’s more than the energy consumption of the entire nation of Bangladesh.

4. Know your fabrics and avoid microplastic.

A lot of new clothes are made from petroleum-based fibers, such as polyester. Every single time we wash these fabrics, tiny pieces called microfibres (which are the most prevalent type of microplastic, plastic pieces less than 5mm in diameter) break off and float away into the environment. We can’t see them, but they’re all around us. Research suggests that microplastics reduce oceanic plankton’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This could severely affect the vital role these tiny organisms play in maintaining the ocean as a carbon sink. 

5. Get a filter to catch microplastics.

Starting in 2025, France will require manufacturers to install filters in their washing machines to catch microplastics—a measure the European Commission is considering as greener way to care for clothes. Even if your machine doesn’t come with a filter, you can buy one that snaps on. Reusable mesh filters prevent fibres that peel off clothes during washing from ending up into drain-fields, freshwater sources, wildlife habitats and our food.

6. Say no to fast fashion.

You can also help control microfibre pollution by becoming more selective with clothes purchases. Buy clothes in a style and fabric that look good, are not trend-based and last longer. 

7. Reduce, reuse, resell.

It’s never a better time than now to buy used clothes. Organise clothes swaps with friends, colleagues and family or visit your local op-shops and non-profit thrift stores. Even big brands are getting in on the action. In the past month alone, big designer brands Jimmy Choo and Balenciaga have launched resale platforms where customers can buy (and sometimes even sell) pre-owned clothes, shoes and handbags.

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The way we consciously care for our clothes is an everyday step towards taking action against climate change and is an important part of the living more sustainably equation.

By Carol Fung