Laundry tips for a more sustainable wash

• Wash less often. Some people throw clothes into the laundry basket on autopilot, but it is worth assessing a garment before it goes in the wash. Is it actually dirty? Repeated washing is one of the most energy-intensive stages in a garment’s life cycle. Underwear and socks (wool socks excepted) probably should be washed after each wear, but many other garments can be worn two or three times before they need washing. Washing less also wears clothes out less, so you can wear them for longer.

• Fill the machine. A fuller machine means fewer washes, which saves both water and energy.

• Lower the temperature. With today’s detergents you do not need to wash everything at 60 degrees. In fact very little needs 60. Most things come out just as clean at 30 or 40. In many countries everything is washed in cold water.

• Skip the prewash. Instead, treat stains directly on the garments that need more thorough attention before you put them in the machine. That saves both water and energy.

• Use eco-labeled detergents, and measure the dose properly rather than pouring it in by eye. Extra detergent does not make clothes extra clean.

• Remove stains locally, without washing the whole garment. Grease stains can be soaked in washing-up liquid, left for 10 minutes and rinsed under the tap. Hold the stain right up to the tap, with the inside facing the nozzle, and let the water rinse hard through the stain.

• Wash synthetic clothes in a Guppyfriend or other specialist wash bag to capture microplastics.

• Skip the tumble dryer if you can, and hang clothes to dry. Air drying spares your clothes, the environment and your wallet.

• Buying a new washing machine or tumble dryer? Choose a machine with energy class A+ or better.

“Repeated washing wears clothes out and is one of the most energy-intensive stages in a garment’s life cycle. Underwear should be washed after each wear, but many other garments can be worn again before washing.”