ECO: Plenty of ways to laundry greener

Last column I sermonized on the fine, though often forgotten, attributes of low-tech sustainability. Truth be told, though, if a nifty gadget saves energy and water and compels children (or partners) to argue over who gets to load the washing machine, it would be hard not to idolize and covet it.

Looking and loading much like a kitchen trash compactor, the Reason washing machine could give even the most devout of Luddites second thoughts. Pull open the drawer, drop clothes in the drum, close, push one button and then get on with the day. The Reason weighs your laundry and doses out exactly the right amount of detergent, softener and water for the load. Add some eco-sensitive suds, and if possible, some time on a line, and doing laundry could go from purely pedestrian to borderline pleasurable. Of course, since the hand-built, limited edition Reason may be out of reach for many--only 500 are being auctioned off to the highest bidders--the following are a few, more accessible, earth-friendly suggestions for how to clean up your laundering ways.

SHAPE MATTERS

Many of us know by now that front-loading washing machines clean clothes more thoroughly, cause less wear, and use less water and energy than a majority of their top-loading counterparts. Machines that bear the Energy Star logo typically use between 18 and 25 gallons per load, roughly half of the 40-plus gallons guzzled by older, top-loading machines.

As water worries continue to rise, the washing machine market will also likely see more products like Sanyo's Aqua AWD-AQ1, which reports being able to clean clothes without water.

In addition to a "normal" washing cycle, the machine can convert oxygen in the air to ozone. Ozone has a strong oxidation action, which when sprayed on clothing eliminates bacteria, odours, and dirt (organic matter).

COOL IT

If you are not ready or able to replace your trusty top-loader, rest assured there are things you can do to improve your laundering score card. One of the easiest is to use cold water whenever possible. Nearly 90 per cent of the energy used for washing clothes goes to heating the water. Considering that the average household does around 400 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water, switching to cold water can save more than a bit of loose pocket change. The Canadian "Switch to Cold" website estimates potential savings of between $50-100 a year, depending on one's current washing ways, by switching to a cold wash and rinse cycle.

SENSITIVE SUDS

As anyone with sensitive skin knows, conventional laundry soaps can contain a lot of irritating ingredients: phosphates that can negatively affect ecosystems, and synthetic dyes and fragrances that can aggravate fickle constitutions. Fortunately, finding friendlier detergents has become considerably easier in recent years. Phosphate and bleach free, these products are made from readily biodegradable, plant- and vegetable-based ingredients (instead of petroleum). For those who would prefer to skip soap altogether, there is no shortage of magnetic pucks, ceramic balls, and molecule altering disks that claim to be able to vanquish dirt and odours without a drop of detergent. Generally expensive, and often the subject of much debate (sometimes even lawsuits), consumers would be wise to do their homework (i.e. research user feedback) and exercise caution before making an investment.

TOXIC-FREE SOFTNESS

While there is nothing like wrapping up in a soft, fluffy towel after a hot shower, the cancer-causing chemicals and neurotoxins such as toluene and styrene that can be found in many conventional dryer sheets could take the magic out of the moment. While softener sheets made from 100 percent plant-based soaps are available, why not ditch the disposables altogether and make your own by misting a moist washcloth with a dab of liquid fabric softener and tossing it into the dryer.

toxic alternative

Many people also report that replacing fabric softener with one half to one cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle will naturally balance the pH of soap, and leave clothes soft and free of chemical residue. While dryer balls have been getting a lot of attention recently for being eco-friendlier replacements to fabric softener, what many manufacturers fail to mention, however, is that the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material which they are often made out of is one of the most poisonous plastics, posing great environmental and health hazards in its manufacture, product life, and disposal.

LAYING IT ON THE LINE

For some, hanging clothes on the line offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, for others it merely translates to scratchy towels and stiff jeans. While skipping on the dryer can make a big difference in your energy use, line drying need not be an all or nothing exercise. Frequently cleaning the lint filter on your dryer will help increase efficiency and shorten drying time, and machines with moisture sensors can reduce the wear and tear on clothes and save considerable energy. If you are able and interested in towing the line, outside or inside, websites like LineDryIt (www.linedryit.com) offer some good resources for getting started.

(prepared by Kim Davis/Vancouver Sun)