solutions > Personal solutions > In your home >
Laundry
Here are ways to reduce greenhouse gas production (and save energy) as you do laundry.
Use cold water
Rinsing
Rinse light clothes in cold water. Why waste heated water (and the energy and emissions needed to heat it) on rinsing? It's true that light-coloured clothes benefit from a warm wash, but rinsing is just as effective with cold water. (1)
Washing
Dark clothes like cold water! Keep the water temperature "cold" for the entire cycle when washing dark-coloured clothing. Dyes are more prone to fading in warm water, making your favourite shirt look drab in much fewer washes than if you use cold water. (2) The washed out dye is more likely to stain your other clothes as well, giving them that dull, tinted look.
top of page
Clotheslines and drying racks
Use a clothesline or drying rack. Do you really need to use a dryer? Some items never need to see the inside of a dryer -- rags, socks, dishcloths and pillowcases don't need fluffing. Passing on the dryer extends the lifespan of all your clothes. Drying your laundry on an indoor line or rack during the winter also adds welcome moisture to the air.
top of page
Shake out clothes
Shake out clothes before putting them in the dryer. If you must use a dryer, shake your wet clothes out before tossing them in. Your dryer has to expend a lot of energy uncrumpling the compact, soggy balls of clothing before it can start drying them.
top of page
Clean lint filter
Clean out the lint filter before every load. Even a little bit of lint in the filter clogs up the airflow in a dryer. Your appliance must expend much more energy to push hot, moist air out of the tumble drum. More moisture trapped in the drum means a longer wait for dry clothes, too.
top of page
Iron outdoors
Iron outdoors during the summer. During hot weather, take the iron on to the patio, balcony, or porch. Not only is the ambiance unbeatable, but heat released from the iron also won't get trapped in your home. Conversely, during cold weather do this chore where you need heat the most - in the living room, bedroom or kitchen.
top of page
Buy energy efficient appliances
Buy energy efficient appliances. Buying energy efficient appliance is easy with EnerGuide labels. Major electrical household appliances sold in Canada must meet minimum energy efficiency standards and are required to display an EnerGuide label. The labels show you how much electricity the appliance consumes in one year, and how the appliance compares to similar models in terms of energy consumption.
