174: Get the dirt on clean laundry by matthew

Every time you complete this action, you will reduce emissions by an estimated 3211 lbs. CO₂e.

→ This tip is part of the Shrink & Save program!

Ahh, clean laundry is a wonderful thing… the smell, the orderly little piles, the crisp feel of fresh linens… But what about the other side of the coin? An enormous amount of not-so-clean energy goes into washing and drying the weekly eight loads of laundry dispatched by the average American household, and that energy comes with a financial and environmental price tag.

Washing your clothes with cold water and hanging your laundry to dry not only cuts your footprint and your utility bill, it actually makes your clothes last longer. Yes, you’re still using the electricity to run the laundry machine, but most of the emissions come from cranking up your hot water heater. If you wash just half of those eight loads with cold and hang them to dry, you’ll reduce CO₂ emissions by 3211 pounds and save $267 per year on your utility bill.

Shrink & Save:
… Drive the car, don’t let the car drive you, Get the dirt on clean laundry, Eating meat should be a treat …

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