These days, we all know how important it is to be eco-friendly and engage in sustainable practices when possible. However, many of us are unaware of how much energy the average laundry routine uses and that our laundry products can harm the environment. Not to worry, we’ve created a concise and simple list of tips about how to green up your laundry routine!

Use Cold Water

About 75-90% of your washing machine’s energy  goes to heating its  water. So, whenever you use hot water when running the washing machine, you use a lot of energy. Washing in cold water makes a difference. And good news – when you use cold or cooler water, you’re not only saving energy but also giving your clothes that needed deep cleaning. In fact, cold water washing is less likely to shrink, fade, or ruin your clothing.

Air Dry

Fact: The dryer is one of the most energy-using appliances in your household. At Gibson’s, we recommend laying your items on a drying rack or hang them on a line instead! Just like cold water washing, this not only saves energy but is also better for the quality of your clothes as the dryer can damage fabrics and cause shrinkage. Air drying is especially important with athleisure wear as lululemon leggings often pill in the dryer.

Eco-conscious Detergents

Many detergents in the market are formulated with harmful ingredients that can be harsh on you, your clothing, and the environment. Why not opt for more eco-friendly detergents instead? There are many detergents currently available on the market that are free of harsh ingredients. Our favourites are Tru Earth Laundry Strips and Tide Coldwater.

Hand Washing

Depending on the washing machine, about 15-45 gallons of water are used per load! That is a lot of water. Try handwashing more often! Use your bathtub or sink and save a lot more water and preventing damage to your delicate fabrics. Our favourite hand wash product is Soak which is biodegradable and Canadian-made!

Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning

Did you know there are still some dry cleaners using petrochemical cleaning solvents, which are air pollutants? These can be harmful to you, the environment and some of your fabrics. Instead, choose an environmentally friendly dry cleaner such as Gibson’s! We are a GreenEarth partner. GreenEarth Cleaning is a dry cleaning process that replaces the petrochemical solvents with liquid silicone or sand, which is ideal for fabric care and so much better for the environment. It is non-toxic, non-hazardous and gentle on your clothes. Gibson’s also uses reusable garment bags, biodegradable poly plastic and recycles our customer’s hangers!

With these simple changes, your laundry routine will be more eco-friendly in no time. Check out Gibson’s Cleaners for sustainable, eco-friendly dry cleaning! We offer free pick-up and delivery services in the GTA for your convenience.