Eco-friendly washing that saves water and energy can be achieved with a few smart habits
Laundry is often one of the most unnoticed household routines. The basket fills up, the washing machine is turned on, the clothes are hung – and life goes on. However, this "obvious" task surprisingly impacts how much water we use, how much energy flows through our home outlets, and how much chemistry ends up in wastewater. The good news is that eco-friendly washing is not an ascetic discipline for a few enthusiasts. In reality, it's mainly about a few smart habits that allow for eco-friendly washing, using less water, extending the lifespan of clothes – and often saving money.
It might sound too simple. But let's be honest: how often is laundry done "just in case" because that's how it's always been done? And how many times is more powder added to the drum because "it should smell nice"? In fact, the cleanest laundry is often the one that is less aggressive, less hot, and more thoughtfully done.
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Eco-friendly laundry and water: how much actually disappears in the drum
Let's start with what most people are interested in: how much water does washing consume. The exact number varies depending on the type of washing machine, program, load size, and the age of the appliance. Modern efficient washing machines typically have significantly lower consumption than older models, but it's still true that every wash is a combination of water and energy.
Generally, one load of laundry can use about several dozen liters of water. Sometimes less, sometimes more – it depends on whether an eco-program is used, whether the machine adds water due to an unbalanced load, or if programs with extra rinsing are selected. Added to this is the energy for heating the water, which often constitutes the largest part of the "costs" of washing.
Another dimension is coming into play, which is being talked about more and more: microfibers from textiles. Especially synthetic materials (polyester, acrylic, nylon) release small fibers during washing that can enter water streams. It's not about causing alarm, but rather a reminder that laundry is also about what flows away. A good context can be provided by a comprehensive overview of microplastics issues from UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme, which has long been highlighting sources of pollution and prevention possibilities (textiles often appear in these discussions).
And now the practical side: eco-friendly washing isn't about washing less necessarily, but washing smarter. Both water and energy can be reduced without having to walk around in a "half-clean" shirt.
How to wash eco-friendly, save water and money – and still have really clean laundry
Eco-friendly washing doesn't rely on one miraculous trick. It's more about a set of small decisions that add up. And they often work even where nobody would expect: for example, with towels, bed linen, or sportswear.
Let's start with the most important: temperature. Most of the energy in washing goes into heating the water. Washing at 60 °C instead of 30 °C can make a significant difference in energy. Yet modern detergents and longer washing programs often handle common dirt even at lower temperatures. Of course, there are situations where a higher temperature makes sense (for instance, during illness in the household or with specific laundry), but for everyday washing of t-shirts, sweatshirts, or jeans, 30–40 °C is usually sufficient.
It also makes a big difference how full the washing machine is. A half-empty drum is one of the most common ways to unnecessarily use too much water and energy per kilogram of laundry. At the same time, it's not good to "stuff" the machine to the brim. The ideal is to fill the drum reasonably so that the laundry can move freely – it's often recommended to leave a space at the top approximately the width of a hand. This improves mechanical washing and sometimes even reduces the need for extra rinsing.
Another chapter is detergent dosing. A bit of discipline pays off here because "more" almost never means "cleaner". On the contrary, excess powder or gel can be harder to rinse out, making the laundry feel stiff, irritating the skin, and the washing machine will require more water for rinsing. Proper dosing depends on water hardness, the amount of laundry, and the degree of dirtiness. If the water at home is hard, choosing a suitable detergent or adding a natural-based softener can help – but still with moderation. Eco-friendly washing isn't just about the "eco" label but also about having laundry that's pleasant after washing and a washing machine that doesn't build up deposits.
Many people also automatically use fabric softener. However, fabric softener is often unnecessary and can even harm functional clothing (reducing breathability and moisture-wicking abilities). If the goal is softness, air drying, proper spinning, or over time even the choice of material often helps. And if the goal is fragrance, a pleasant result can be achieved more gently – for example, with a quality detergent with mild fragrance or by not leaving laundry in the washing machine for too long after washing.
A big topic is also pre-wash and extra rinsing. For commonly worn clothes, these options are often unnecessary and only increase water consumption. Pre-wash makes sense for really heavily soiled laundry (children's clothes after mud, work clothes), but as a default setting, it's more habit than necessity. Similarly, "extra rinsing": sometimes it's important (sensitive skin, allergies, excessive detergent dosing), but if detergent is dosed correctly, it often can be done without.
And what about drying? It relates to washing more than it seems. When laundry is spun well, it dries faster. However, extreme spinning speeds can be harsh on some fabrics. It's worth finding a compromise: higher speeds usually don't matter for towels and bed linen, while for more delicate items, a gentler cycle is better. In a dryer, energy consumption increases, but on the other hand, it can help allergy sufferers (pollen) and save time. For sustainability, the best option is often a combination: air drying, using the dryer sensibly, and mainly not overdrying.
One phrase that is appearing more and more often in connection with sustainable households is: "The most eco-friendly energy is the one we don't have to produce." This applies to washing as well – and equally for water.
Real-life example: what a few changes can do in a typical week
Let's imagine a typical household with two adults and a child. Five to seven loads of laundry per week are not unusual: kindergarten, sportswear, towels, bed linen. For a long time, washing is done at 60 °C "because of hygiene", fabric softener is added, sometimes pre-wash, sometimes extra rinsing. The washing machine runs even half-empty when "there's enough".
Then a change comes, which is no revolution: laundry starts being sorted not only by color but also by the degree of dirtiness. Regular clothes are washed at 30–40 °C, towels and bed linen as needed, pre-wash is turned on only for truly dirty items. Detergent is dosed precisely according to water hardness and the amount of laundry, fabric softener is used only occasionally. Suddenly, it turns out that the laundry is just as clean, but the washing machine doesn't smell, the laundry is more pleasant to touch, and the consumption of detergents goes down.
This is not an idealized scenario. It's the kind of change people often describe when they start looking into tips for proper washing to save nature and money. It's not about washing "less hygienically", but less automatically.
Tips for proper washing: less water, less chemicals, longer clothing lifespan
When it comes to eco-friendly washing, water is often mentioned, but the lifespan of textiles is equally important. When a t-shirt lasts twice as long, it's a saving of materials, transport, production – and ultimately money. Washing is one of the main factors that wear out clothing.
Help starts even before turning on the washing machine. Stains can often be tackled locally, without the need to wash the entire piece at a high temperature. Gentle bile soap or a mild stain remover can do the job, and the rest of the laundry can remain at a lower temperature. Similarly, it pays off to fasten zippers, turn clothes inside out, and use wash bags for delicate laundry – not only for shape and colors but also to reduce friction, which in synthetics can limit fiber release.
It's also interesting how much washing is connected to "invisible" habits. When laundry is left in the washing machine for several hours after washing, it can become musty and give the impression that it needs to be washed again. This is precisely the moment when more water and energy are used unnecessarily. Simply put: finish washing, take out, hang up.
Regarding how to use less water, it's worth monitoring programs. Eco programs tend to be longer but often save energy by washing at lower temperatures and working more efficiently. Many people don't use them because "they take forever", yet that's where savings often lie. And if the washing machine offers automation that weighs the load and adjusts the water amount, it's worth using – and helping it by washing with a reasonably full machine.
It's good to remember appliance maintenance. A clogged washing machine can wash worse, smell bad, and require more rinsing. Occasional cleaning of the filter, seal, and detergent drawer is a small thing with a big effect. In hard water areas, regular gentle descaling can also help – not for "shine", but for functionality and longer appliance lifespan.
And what about detergents? A more gentle choice often means products that are biodegradable, free of unnecessarily aggressive components, and with reasonable fragrance. It's not about perfection but direction: when you can choose a product that works and is also more considerate of aquatic ecosystems, it makes sense. On the topic of chemicals in the home and their impact on health and the environment, useful information is available from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which deals with chemical safety and regulation in the EU.
To avoid just general recommendations, here is a concise checklist that can be pinned to the fridge and gradually turned into a routine:
Practical tips for eco-friendly washing in a typical household
- Wash with a full, not overfilled machine and choose the program based on dirtiness, not habit.
- Lower the temperature whenever it makes sense (regular clothes often handle 30–40 °C).
- Dose detergent precisely; less often means cleaner rinsing and less extra water used.
- Avoid pre-wash and extra rinsing if not needed – they're inconspicuous "water guzzlers."
- Address stains locally and protect textiles (inside out, zipped, wash bags for delicates).
- Don't leave laundry in the machine after washing, so it doesn't need to be rewashed due to mustiness.
When eco-friendly washing is discussed concerning money, it's often simplified to "lower bills". However, savings happen elsewhere too: less damaged clothing, less impulsive shopping, fewer "rescue" washes because something doesn't smell right or is stiff. And that's a pleasant motivation even for those who otherwise only marginally consider ecology.
Perhaps the question arises: does it really matter if you wash at 40 °C or 60 °C, if you turn on pre-wash or not? In one household, it may seem like a small detail. But laundry is a routine that repeats over and over, and that's its power – and its impact. Eco-friendly washing isn't about perfect performance, but about turning an ordinary habit into a thoughtful care for laundry, water, and budget. And when a bit of joy is added because a favorite sweater lasts another season, it's actually quite a good deal.
