Follow these three simple steps to make your laundry routine greener:
1. When buying a washing machine, look for a low water factor. The water factor is the number of gallons per cycle per cubic foot that a clothes washer uses. The lower the water factor, the more efficient the washer is.
2. Line dry. The average clothes dryer costs about 50 cents per load to run.
3. Choose natural or homemade detergent. Conventional detergents contain harsh bleaches and colorants and surfactants that are toxic to aquatic life. Plus, they are sold in bulky nonrecycled, nonreusable containers.
