Savvy green homeowners know that energy (which of course means lower household utility bills.) Gentler laundry habits can also help clothes last longer, reducing your environmental footprint even more.
iThe green laundry room nonetheless has its dark side. Eliminating bleach and hot water leaves more opportunity for mold and mildew to grow in the nooks and crannies of your washing machine. It’s also been documented that viral and bacterial infections can spread through laundry. “Laundering practices in common use in the United States do not eliminate enteric and respiratory viruses from clothes,” say University of Arizona public health researchers Charles P. Gerber and Denise Kennedy. “Laundry has been associated with outbreaks of salmonellosis, bacterial and viral meningitis, Q fever, and ringworm (amongst other diseases) … Furthermore, it has been shown that damp laundry may promote the growth of bacteria.”1 Fortunately, it is possible to keep germs to a minimum and still be green in the laundry room. Let’s look at some ways to clean your washing machine and dryer in an eco-friendly manner!
How to Green Clean Your Washing Machine
To eliminate germs during cold season, give your washing machine’s tub a good cleansing. Most people use chlorine bleach for this job, but there’s no need! You can do it without harsh chemicals using these simple steps:
- Set your machine to run on its hottest, longest setting.
- As the tub is filling, add two cups each of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and vinegar or lemon juice, and a few drops of Thyme essential oil. Thymol, the active principle in thyme oil, has been rated by the EPA as an intermediate level disinfectant in the same category as chlorine bleach.2 However, it is much safer for humans and the environment. The acid in your solution will remove any mineral accumulations in your washing machine and hoses.
- Pause the machine when the tub is full, and let it soak for an hour.
- After the final rinse and spin cycle, spray the interior of your machine with vinegar or your favorite green cleaner. Add a few additional drops of thyme oil for extra germ-killing power. Wipe with a clean cloth, making sure to clean all crevices such as under the gasket of a front loader or around the agitator of a top-loading machine. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the lid as well!
- You can use the same spray solution to clean the outside of your machine. To complete the job, remove the knobs and soak them in vinegar to remove grime.
How to Green Clean Your Clothes Dryer
Your dryer won’t need a soaking, but it will still benefit from a thorough clean inside and out with your green antimicrobial solution. In addition, you’ll want to remove as much lint as possible. Excess lint is not only a great place for germs to hide — it’s a fire hazard and can severely reduce your dryer’s energy efficiency .
Of course, you probably know to clear the lint trap every time you use your machine. But it pays to clean the vents, too, every month or two. Use your vacuum hose to suck any accumulated lint, from the dryer side and the exterior end of the vent.
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When you are done, don’t forget to vacuum under and behind both machines. This final touch will leave your entire laundry room green and clean!
An Even Greener Alternative
Of course, the greenest thing you can do with your appliances is use them less, or not at all. About one out of three Americans believes clothes dryers are a luxury that can easily be done without.3Hang drying doesn’t just save energy; it is much better for your clothes and helps them look newer a lot longer.
A single person who doesn’t generate much laundry can even comfortably get by with hand washing their clothes. Hand washing a small load takes only a few minutes. The hardest part is wringing them out, but a simple, inexpensive electric wringer does this job easily. It is also far cheaper to do it this way than with your washer and dryer. Just remember to clean your wringer regularly with the same solution you’d use on your washing machine, and hang your damp laundry immediately to discourage germs. If you are looking to be super-sustainable, look into building your own bicycle pedal-powered washing machine !
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Whether you plan to use your appliances or go free of them altogether, choosing greener cleaning methods in the laundry room has plenty of benefits. You’ll keep your family healthier by avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach and by getting rid of harmful germs. You’ll eliminate the fire hazards associated with lint deposits. Your appliances and clothing will last longer, and you’re sure to enjoy savings on your energy bill as well. Best of all is the clean feeling you’ll experience, knowing that you’re walking the talk when it comes to going green!
Cory Tournet is the owner of The Laundry Alternative, a company that provides environmentally friendly washers and dryers that help improve the environment and save their customers money.
