Question from meemsies
I am trying my best to use my dryer as little as possible. I hear lots of other folks talking about it as well. What about washing machines? What are the environmental consequences of using them? Does anyone know? Should we be aiming for a different method? I do my best to keep clothes clean as long as possible after the first wearing (difficult with three boys and a husband who works construction!) I don’t tell people for thier reactions, but I dont’ wash clothes unless they’re obviously dirty or stinky. I don’t mind hanging a shirt back up after a couple of wears. If it looks wrinkled, I just put it in the dryer on air or, in the summer, on the clothesline.
I also just want to thank you for this site. It is not only informative, but (and I just discovered it today!) beautiful and very easily navigated. We are very fortunate to live in this day and age, aren’t we?
Debra’s Answer
The main environmental concerns with washing machines are water use and energy use.
We can reduce water and energy by choosing a resource efficient washing machine and by washing our clothes less frequently. Living in San Francisco temporarily and having to pay per load instead of having my “free” washer at home, I think twice before washing clothes and find myself washing less frequently that I would at home. And my clothes are clean enough. Less frequent washings makes clothes last longer too.
