Laundry takes up plenty of time, and mums know it can be a chore carting armfuls of 
clothes, nappies and linen around the house every week. A tumble dryer is just one of those essential appliances that you can rely on when it’s raining or to get through a large number washes quickly.
It’s important to remember that tumble dryers consume a high amount of energy – higher than fridges and dishwashers – and if yours is on every day it will inflate your utilities bill. One way to remember the environment when doing your washing is to take advantage of warm days and hang your sheets out to dry in the sun every now and then.
Another appliance that affects your power usage is your washing machine. Heating water amounts to the majority of a washing machine’s power intake. By simply lowering washing temperatures to 30 or 40 degrees, you can conserve power. At the same time, remember to always fill up your washing machine as the clothes become clean by friction.
Mums know to carefully read product labels for harmful additives, particularly in children’s foods. It’s also important to check detergents for phosphates, which can create algae that depletes oxygen in water and harms aquatic life – although in recent years detergent companies have greatly improved their use of harmful chemicals.
However, it’s important to still be vigilant. Labels such as ‘organic’, ‘green’ or ‘natural’ are not always sufficient – look for companies that are affiliated with environmental agencies or that have refined their products for washing at lower temperatures. Soaking clothes in stain remover before washing can combat particularly stubborn stains.
Keep an eye out for concentrated detergents as not only are these lighter on your pocket, but they have less packaging and a reduced carbon footprint as well.
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