Student tips to greener, cheaper laundry
Using public laundry facilities is not only inconvenient, but it is also expensive. Fortunately, Miss Eco Etiquette, a new Plenty Magazine blog, has published a great list of ways to conserve laundry water and keep the change.
One of the suggestions involves wearing outerwear like sweaters and hoodies, as well as jeans and dresses, up to a month at a time without washing, provided they stay smelling all right. Pajamas could be added to this list, considering you aren't wearing them out of the dorm anyway.
One way to refresh your clothing is to buy (and use!) an iron, or hang them up after use. To prevent muddy pants, spend the extra few bucks to get your hemlines tailored when you purchase new ones.
Miss Eco Etiquette also recommends stocking up on undies and shirts so that they won't need to be washed as often, but cautions against buying cheap items that will only lose their shape and disintegrate, forcing you to buy new clothes repeatedly. Another thing to stock up on should be socks, towels, and an extra set or two of bedding.
Especially if you have allergies, and need to change your bedding often, this will allow you to do one or two loads of bedding at the end of the month, instead of one or two per week. Bedding should be the only items you consider washing in hot water, even though you don't pay extra for it in most laundromats.
Never launder anything unless you have a full load. I often save my white items until I have enough, and even separate out white towels, undies or socks to help bulk it up. For stains, check out Home Green Home's list of eco-friendly stain removal.
Finally, establish a monthly laundry budget. Drawing up a rough schedule for when each load, such as bedding or towels, will need to be done, and try to stick to it.
Especially if you have allergies, and need to change your bedding often, this will allow you to do one or two loads of bedding at the end of the month, instead of one or two per week. Bedding should be the only items you consider washing in hot water, even though you don't pay extra for it in most laundromats.
Never launder anything unless you have a full load. I often save my white items until I have enough, and even separate out white towels, undies or socks to help bulk it up. For stains, check out Home Green Home's list of eco-friendly stain removal.
Finally, establish a monthly laundry budget. Drawing up a rough schedule for when each load, such as bedding or towels, will need to be done, and try to stick to it.
It's Energy Independence Day! 
Green Your 4th of July Celebration
The Importance of Pollination - It's Not Just Bee Sex
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-20-2008 @ 8:48AM
the goddess anna said...
The use of dye magnets can help, especially if it's more economical to mix laundry. I use the color sheets by Shout (and I reuse them after the laundry to dust or pick up loose lint), but here's a site that has cheaper alternatives (that might be a little more eco-friendly):
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000710b.cfm
Another few tips for making clothes last longer through laundry: make sure zippers are zipped, turn dark denim inside-out, and check for any repairs that need to be done before the article goes in the wash. Taking proper care of your clothes when laundering them ensures they last longer, saving money.
Also, maybe a bit of hand-washing might help defray costs. When I lived in dorm-like barracks while enlisted, the washers/dryers were always busy. I had a bucket for my underwear (panties, bras, pantyhose), and I would soak them while in class. Wrang them out and dried them on a rack overnight. A bit of creative thinking can go a long way. : )
Reply
7-01-2009 @ 2:53AM
TraceyBrand said...
Love the tips on how to become more green. I have found that the biggest hassle with using a laundromat is having to lug everything there. I used to buy liquid detergent in bulk at Costco so that was an additional chore (cumbersome!) to carry that too. But - my mom found this cool detergent online (www.grabgreenhome.com) that is individually sized. It's powder detergent encased in a clear plastic-looking pouch that dissolves in water. So now I just throw a few into my laundry basket!
Reply