Laundry has a significant environmental footprint. Between water consumption, energy use, chemical runoff, and microplastic pollution, our regular wash cycles contribute more to environmental impact than many of us realise. The good news is that with thoughtful adjustments to our laundry habits, we can dramatically reduce this impact while still achieving excellent cleaning results.
For Australian households, where water scarcity is a persistent concern and energy costs continue to rise, eco-friendly laundry practices offer both environmental and financial benefits. This guide explores practical changes you can implement today to make your laundry routine more sustainable.
Understanding Laundry's Environmental Impact
The average Australian household does approximately 5 loads of laundry per week, consuming around 100 litres of water per load in older machines. That's 26,000 litres annually just for washing clothes—before accounting for the energy to heat water and run dryers, or the chemicals that wash down the drain.
- Average water use: 50-100L per load (older machines up to 150L)
- Energy for hot water wash: 2-3 kWh per load
- Dryer energy use: 2-4 kWh per load
- Microplastics released: Up to 700,000 fibres per synthetic wash
Water Conservation Strategies
Water is precious in Australia, and laundry is one of the largest water consumers in the home. Several strategies can significantly reduce your water usage without compromising cleaning results.
Wash Full Loads Only
Half-loads don't use half the water—they typically use about 75% of a full load's water consumption. Waiting until you have a full load before running the machine is one of the simplest ways to reduce water use. If you must wash smaller loads, use appropriate water level settings if your machine has them.
Choose Water-Efficient Machines
When replacing your washing machine, choose models with high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) ratings. Front-load washers typically use 40-60% less water than top-loaders. A 5-star WELS-rated front-loader might use as little as 50 litres per load compared to 100+ litres for older top-loaders.
Greywater Recycling
Laundry greywater can be reused for garden irrigation, effectively getting double value from each litre of water. However, this requires using greywater-safe detergents—products without phosphates, sodium, and boron that can harm plants and soil. Look for detergents specifically labelled as greywater safe.
- Use greywater within 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth
- Don't use greywater containing bleach or heavily soiled wash water
- Alternate greywater with fresh water to prevent salt buildup
- Check local council regulations—some areas have greywater restrictions
Energy Efficiency
The energy used for laundry goes primarily to heating water and running dryers. Reducing both significantly cuts your carbon footprint and electricity bills.
Wash in Cold Water
Modern detergents are formulated to work effectively in cold water. Switching from hot to cold water washing can reduce energy consumption per load by up to 90%. Reserve hot water for heavily soiled items, towels, and bedding where sanitisation is important.
Cold water is also gentler on clothes, causing less fading and shrinkage. It's a win-win for your wardrobe and the environment.
Line Dry Whenever Possible
Tumble dryers are among the most energy-hungry household appliances. Line drying uses zero energy and is practical for most of the year in Australia's climate. Even partial line drying—hanging clothes until nearly dry and finishing with a short dryer cycle—significantly reduces energy use.
Solar-powered clothes drying is effectively free and available to anyone with outdoor space or even a sunny window. Take advantage of Australia's abundant sunshine.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you rely on a dryer, heat pump dryers use 50-60% less energy than traditional condenser or vented dryers. While more expensive upfront, the energy savings typically pay for the difference within a few years. Check energy star ratings when purchasing any laundry appliances.
Switching to cold water washing and line drying 80% of your laundry can save approximately $200-300 annually on electricity. Over the 10-15 year lifespan of your appliances, that's $2,000-4,500 in savings.
Eco-Friendly Detergents
Conventional laundry detergents often contain chemicals that persist in waterways, harm aquatic life, and may affect human health. Choosing more sustainable detergent options reduces these impacts.
What to Look For
Seek out detergents that are biodegradable and plant-based, phosphate-free (phosphates cause algal blooms in waterways), concentrated (less packaging and transport emissions), free from synthetic fragrances and dyes, and packaged in recyclable or refillable containers.
Australian-made detergents have lower transport emissions than imported products. Several Australian brands offer excellent eco-friendly options that perform well in our unique water conditions.
Using the Right Amount
Using more detergent than needed doesn't get clothes cleaner—it just sends more chemicals down the drain and can leave residue on clothes. Follow dosage instructions carefully, and remember that soft water areas (like Melbourne) require less detergent than hard water areas (like Adelaide).
Many people use double the necessary amount of detergent out of habit. Experiment with reducing your usual dose—you may find clothes wash just as well with less.
Reducing Microplastic Pollution
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic shed microscopic plastic fibres during washing. These microplastics pass through water treatment and accumulate in oceans, entering the food chain and affecting marine ecosystems.
Mitigation Strategies
While the ideal solution is wearing natural fibres, this isn't always practical. Several approaches help reduce microplastic release from synthetic clothing:
- Wash less frequently: Synthetic clothing often doesn't need washing after every wear
- Use cold water: Hot water releases more microplastics
- Wash full loads: Less friction between garments means fewer fibres released
- Use gentle cycles: Less agitation equals less fibre breakage
- Consider a microfibre filter: External or internal filters can capture microplastics before they enter the drain
Microfibre-catching wash bags like the Guppyfriend are another option—you place synthetic items inside, and the bag captures fibres during washing.
Extending Clothing Lifespan
The most sustainable garment is one you already own. Extending clothing life through proper care reduces the demand for new production—a highly resource-intensive process. Washing less frequently, following care labels correctly, and repairing rather than replacing all contribute to sustainability.
Wash Less, Spot Clean More
Not every worn item needs a full wash. Airing clothes between wears, spot cleaning small marks, and reserving full washing for genuinely soiled items reduces water and energy use while extending garment life. Jeans, in particular, can go many wears between washes.
Repair and Mend
A small hole or missing button doesn't mean a garment's end of life. Basic mending skills extend clothing use significantly. Many communities have repair cafes or sewing groups that can help with more complex repairs.
Australians send over 800,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill annually. Each garment represents embedded water, energy, and emissions from production. Extending clothing life by just three months reduces its environmental footprint by 5-10%.
Building Sustainable Habits
Sustainable laundry practices become easier with routine. Start by implementing one or two changes, then add more as they become habitual. Simple practices like washing in cold water become automatic once established.
Involve family members in eco-friendly laundry practices. Children can learn to assess whether clothes truly need washing, and everyone can help with line drying. Making sustainability a shared household value increases success.
Balancing Sustainability and Practicality
Perfect sustainability isn't always achievable—rainy weeks require dryer use, some items genuinely need hot water, and not everyone can access greywater systems. The goal is progress, not perfection. Small changes across millions of households create significant collective impact.
Focus on the changes that work for your lifestyle and circumstances. Even switching to cold water washing alone makes a meaningful difference. Every sustainable choice, however small, contributes to a healthier environment for future generations.