Do you know that feeling that the laundry basket never gets empty? Welcome to the life of a parent! 😅 Piles of baby bodysuits, football shirts full of grass, messy bibs and candy t-shirts – as if the washing machine is working overtime non-stop. And to be honest: with children in the house, the washing machine is often your most used appliance. But what if I told you that you can get all that children's clothing clean without wasting heaps of water and energy? Yes, really! As a mother and self-proclaimed “laundry guru” (born out of necessity) I have learned to wash smart, fast and green. Here I share **10 practical tips** that not only save you time and money but also help you be environmentally conscious. Sustainable washing doesn’t have to be complicated – small adjustments make a big difference. Benefit from it and give that energy bill (and Mother Earth) some rest, while your kids' clothes become sparkling clean.
Let's dive straight into the laundry basket full of tips. At the end of these ten tips, you will officially be a fast & sustainable laundry pro, promised!
10 tips for faster and more sustainable washing
- Wash at lower temperatures – choose 30°C or 40°C: Most children's clothing gets perfectly clean at 30 or 40 degrees. Only the extremely soiled football shorts sometimes need 60°C, but normally you can wash at lower temperatures. This saves a lot of energy (the washing machine uses most electricity to heat water!). Modern detergents also work excellently at lower temperatures. Pro tip: use a powerful detergent or additive so you don’t miss that heat. One example is to add a scoop of The Pink Stuff Oxi White stain remover powder to white laundry – this gets stains out of white shirts sparkling clean at 30°C, where you might have used 60°C before. Low temperature + good help = clean laundry, lower energy costs.
- Use the eco setting or short wash programs: Many modern washing machines have an eco program or a short program. The eco setting sometimes takes a bit longer but uses less water and electricity by heating and spinning more efficiently. A short wash program is great for clothes that are not very dirty (for example t-shirts that just need a quick refresh). Did your little one wear a shirt for one day without huge stains? Use the short program! Saves time and energy.
- Full drum, please (but not too full): Always wash with a full load if possible. Two half loads use more electricity and water than one full load. So collect enough laundry per color/type. Of course, your machine should not be stuffed too full – the rule of thumb is to keep a hand’s width free at the top of the drum. This allows the laundry to move well and everything gets clean. A well-filled washing machine runs most efficiently. Do you have a half drum with urgently dirty kids' clothes (we know the spaghetti incidents on light-colored clothes…)? Then consider washing some bedding or towels of the same color along. Maximum filling = minimal waste.
- Pre-treating saves re-washing: Spending a little more time before washing can prevent having to wash something again (which saves water and energy). Loosen stains beforehand with a stain remover or household remedy so the washing machine can handle it in one go. For example: rinse out mud stains first and rub in a bit of liquid detergent, or spray grass and sauce stains with a good spray. A color-safe stain remover like The Pink Stuff Oxi Color powder (1000g) is ideal to add to the wash or to soak with. This way you don’t have to do a boil wash or repeat washes. One wash is enough if the stains got the right pre-treatment – that’s sustainable and less frustrating.
- Use detergent sparingly and use concentrated detergents: More detergent doesn’t necessarily make clothes cleaner. Follow the dosing instructions (or even use a bit less than recommended for less dirty laundry). Too much detergent can cause the machine to rinse extra (waste of water) and it’s also bad for the machine in the long run (grease deposits, yuck!). Preferably choose concentrated detergents or ecological variants that are powerful in small doses. There are also detergent strips or sheets that dissolve in water – no overdosing possible and less packaging waste, win-win! The most important thing: don’t waste soap and rinse water unnecessarily.
- Skip the dryer more often (or use it smartly): The dryer consumes a lot of energy, period. Of course, it’s handy during rainy weeks or for large loads of bedding, but for kids' clothes you can often do without. Hang those shirts and pants on a drying rack or clothesline. They usually dry within a day, especially in a warm room or outside with a breeze. No space or in a hurry? Then use the dryer efficiently: first spin at high speed in the washing machine so the laundry goes into the dryer less wet, and dry at a lower temperature or the eco setting of the dryer. Remove synthetic or thin clothes earlier (they dry faster) to prevent overdrying. Tip: use dryer balls (or simply a few clean dry tennis balls) in the dryer – they help loosen the laundry so it dries faster. Less drying time = less energy.
- Wash during off-peak hours and fill the machine smartly: Some energy suppliers have off-peak rates late at night, at night or on weekends. If it’s cheaper (and often ‘greener’) for you to wash late at night: do it! Set the washing machine on a timer or delayed start, for example at 3 a.m. Then you wake up with clean laundry that cost less. Make sure it’s safe (modern machines can handle this well) and hang the laundry immediately in the morning to prevent musty smells. Pro tip: add a splash of cleaning vinegar in the fabric softener compartment if you leave the laundry overnight after spinning; that keeps odors away). Oh, and one more thing: combine loads where possible. Does your child only have a few red clothes? Maybe wait until there’s more red/pink laundry, or combine with your own clothes in that shade. This way you don’t run a half-empty wash for one dirty skirt.
- Choose energy-efficient and natural products: Not only the way you wash, but also what you use matters. Environmentally friendly laundry products are more biodegradable and often more concentrated. Think of ecological detergent or detergent strips that clean without harsh chemicals. There are also products specifically designed to wash more effectively at low temperatures. A good example is The Pink Stuff – biological detergent: this liquid detergent is concentrated, works well with short washes and low temperatures, and is kinder to the environment (and your skin!). Your laundry becomes fresh and clean without you having to use liters of water at 90°C or aggressive agents. Sustainable washing thus starts with sustainable products in your laundry routine.
- Reuse and think twice before washing: Not every garment worn for an hour is really dirty. A sweater your child only wore indoors and still looks clean can probably be worn another day. Or those jeans that were only used for an hour on the school playground – just shake out, air and ready for the next round. By not throwing clothes in the wash after every tiny stain, you save many wash cycles. Hang clothes after wearing on a hanger to air out (outside or by an open window) to remove odors and dry. Many fabrics improve greatly from this. Moreover, clothes last longer if you don’t wash them unnecessarily often. Win-win: less washing, less wear, less energy use.
- Maintain your washing machine: A clean, well-maintained washing machine works more efficiently and uses water and electricity more economically. Every now and then (say every 1-2 months) run an empty wash at 90°C with a cleaner or simply a cup of cleaning vinegar or soda to rinse away soap residues and dirt. Check and clean the filter regularly – blockages make washing less effective and can waste water. And check the rubber seals for leftover debris (think: buttons, stones from pockets, etc.). You can also use a special washing machine cleaner, like the products from Fabulosa (they have, for example, a washing machine cleaner in nice scents). A clean machine = cleaner laundry, less washing needed and lower energy consumption because the appliance can perform at full power.
With these tips, washing becomes a bit easier, faster and greener. I notice myself that it’s not only good for the environment and the wallet, but it also reduces stress. The laundry mountain feels less overwhelming when you work more efficiently. And you no longer have to feel guilty with every load you do: you are doing it as sustainably as possible.
So the next time you look at that endless pile of baby bodysuits and toddler pants, take a deep breath and think: *“I’ve got this – sustainable washing, bring it on!”* You’ll see, even with a household full of children you can get the laundry under control. Happy washing!
(And now quickly hang that laundry before you forget… 😉)