Eco-friendly laundry: save energy, water and clothes

Laundry is one of the most frequent household tasks and one of the easiest to improve. Most of the changes cost nothing — just a shift in habit — and the savings in energy and water add up quickly.

Wash less and only full loads

The greenest wash is the one you don't do. Most clothes — especially outer layers, jeans and knitwear — don't need washing after every wear. Airing garments between wears, spot-cleaning small marks and brushing fabric refreshes them without the machine.

When you do wash, wait for a full load. A washing machine uses roughly the same amount of water and energy whether it's half-full or full, so a full load is twice as efficient per item washed.

Wash at a lower temperature

Around 90% of a washing machine's energy consumption goes to heating the water, not running the drum. Switching from a 60°C wash to a 30°C wash is therefore one of the largest single changes you can make to laundry's energy footprint. See our guide to saving energy at home for the wider picture on home energy.

Modern detergents are designed to work effectively in cool water for everyday laundry. Reserve hot washes (60°C or above) for situations where hygiene genuinely demands it — bedding during illness, nappies and heavily soiled items.

Choose and dose detergent wisely

Detergent choice and dosing matters more than many people realise.

• Use the correct dose. More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes — excess leaves residue on fabric and in the machine, and costs you money. Follow the dosing guide for your water hardness and load size.
• Concentrated formulas — liquids, powders and laundry strips — use less packaging per wash than standard formulas. Strips are particularly good for reducing packaging and transport weight.
• Refill options — some stores and brands offer liquid detergent refills in your own container, cutting plastic entirely.
• Skip fabric softener for most loads. It's not necessary for clean clothes, coats synthetic fibres that reduce absorbency in towels, and degrades the elastic in sportswear. If you want softness, a short cycle and air-drying usually achieves it.
• Read the ingredient list on eco-marketed products — "plant-based" and "biodegradable" are vague terms. Ingredient transparency and third-party certifications (like EU Ecolabel) are more meaningful.

Air-dry instead of tumble-drying

Tumble dryers are among the most energy-intensive appliances in the home. Air-drying — on a rack indoors or a line outside — uses no energy at all and is gentler on fabric, which means clothes last longer. See our guide to air-drying laundry for tips on drying indoors without excess humidity.

• Shake garments before hanging to reduce wrinkles.
• Hang shirts and tops by the hem, not the shoulders, to avoid stretching.
• Dry in a ventilated space or open a window slightly to manage moisture indoors.
• If you must use a tumble dryer, use the lowest heat setting that works and don't overdry — stop when clothes are just dry, not hot.

Reduce microfibre shedding

Every time a synthetic fabric — polyester, nylon, acrylic — is washed, it sheds tiny plastic fibres. These pass through most wastewater treatment and end up in rivers, oceans and ultimately food chains. See our guide to microplastics for more on the wider issue.

You can reduce shedding significantly with a few washing habits:

• Wash synthetics at cooler temperatures — heat increases fibre shedding.
• Use a shorter, gentler cycle — the longer and more agitated the wash, the more fibres shed.
• Wash full loads — clothes rub against each other more in a part-filled drum, increasing shedding.
• Use a microfibre-catching laundry bag (such as a Guppyfriend bag) or fit an in-machine filter — these capture a significant proportion of fibres before they reach the wastewater system.
• Choose natural fibres (cotton, wool, linen) where possible when buying new clothes — they don't shed plastic.

Care for clothes so they last

Every wash gradually wears fabric. Washing less often, cooler and more gently keeps colours brighter, fabrics softer and seams stronger — meaning you replace clothes less often. This connects directly to clothing care practices; see our dedicated clothing care guide for repairs, storage and fabric-specific advice.

• Turn dark and coloured clothes inside out before washing to protect the outer surface.
• Wash delicates in a mesh bag to prevent snagging.
• Don't overfill the drum — clothes need room to move freely for effective cleaning.

Stain treatment to avoid rewashing

Treating a stain promptly is far more effective than hoping a standard wash will sort it out — and avoids the energy cost of a second wash.

• Act quickly: blot (don't rub) fresh stains with a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible.
• Cold water is your first tool — rinse from the back of the fabric to push the stain out rather than in.
• A small amount of washing-up liquid or liquid detergent worked gently into the stain before washing removes most protein and grease stains effectively.
• Avoid hot water on protein stains (blood, egg, dairy) — it sets them permanently.
• Check the stain is gone before tumble-drying: heat will set anything that remains.

Maintain the machine

A well-maintained washing machine runs more efficiently and lasts longer — both of which are good for the environment.

• Clean the drum with a hot wash (60°C or higher) and a machine-cleaning tablet or white vinegar once a month to prevent odour-causing build-up.
• Clean the detergent drawer regularly — residue blocks can affect dosing.
• Leave the door and drawer open after a wash so the drum dries out and doesn't develop mould.
• Check and clean the pump filter every few months — a blocked filter forces the motor to work harder.

A greener wash routine — step by step

1. Before washing: ask if it's necessary

   Spot-clean, air and re-wear if the garment isn't genuinely dirty. Reserve the machine for a full load.

2. Sort and check labels

   Separate colours from whites and delicates from hardwearing items. Check any care labels for maximum temperature.

3. Set 30°C (or the programme's cool option)

   Choose a cool wash for everyday loads. Use the eco or quick programme if available — these are optimised for efficiency.

4. Dose detergent correctly

   Measure rather than pouring freehand. Use the lower end of the recommended range for lightly soiled loads.

5. Use a microfibre bag for synthetics

   Put synthetic-fabric garments in a laundry bag before placing in the drum to capture shed fibres.

6. Air-dry

   Hang straight from the machine onto a rack or line. Shake garments to open the weave and speed drying.

Your eco-laundry checklist

• Wait for a full load before running the machine.
• Switch to 30°C for everyday washing.
• Dose detergent as directed — don't guess.
• Skip fabric softener for towels, sportswear and everyday loads.
• Air-dry instead of tumble-drying wherever possible.
• Use a microfibre-catching laundry bag for synthetic garments.
• Treat stains before washing, not after.
• Clean the machine drum and filter monthly.