Don't Wash Energy Down the Drain

According to the Soap and Detergent Association, an average American generates more than one-quarter ton of dirty laundry each year. This adds up to 35 billion loads of laundry a year and 1,100 loads of laundry started every second.

Laundry habits in the United States are different from those in Europe. The average washing machine in the United States uses 16 gallons of water, while the average European machine uses only four gallons. While European machines use less water, they also have a longer wash cycle – 90 minutes. Most wash cycles in this country last 35 minutes.

These differences are attributed to the American consumer’s preference for top-loading machines. In Europe, front loaders are the washing machine of choice.

“Although we prefer top loaders because of their capacity and convenience (no bending or stooping to load), our garments suffer more wear and tear because of it, says Dr. Carol Centrallo, Extension Apparel and Textile Management Specialist. “Most top loaders use an agitator that beat the clothes as they wash. Front loaders tumble clothing inside a rotating tub, which is a gentler action.”

Add to this the fact that Americans own more clothes and change them more frequently than other cultures. A typical household washes more than 6,000 articles of clothing in machines each year. Many people consider an item dirty after one wearing. This means more washing and drying, which equals more wear and tear. In fact, the average American woman spends seven to nine hours a week on laundry.

Despite all this washing and drying, American consumers are not getting the most satisfying results. Clothes are coming out of the washer dirtier and more worn than in other developed countries.

The Soap and Detergent Association says washing machines have changed a lot since the 1960s, but consumer washing habits have stayed the same. New washers come with an array of cycle choices, even ones that can be custom-programmed by the consumer. But most people stick to the basic warm wash, cold rinse, regardless of the fabric or type of dirt. The Association says detergents work best in warm to hot water, which boosts their stain-removing power.

By following a few simple laundry procedures, clothes will be cleaner and last longer. Garment care labels contain important information regarding washability, water temperature, the type of bleach (if any) that’s safe for the fabric and drying conditions. It’s important to read and follow label instructions, says Centrallo.

Check pockets and remove any foreign matter. Pretreat stains using a prewash stain remover, a liquid detergent and water. As clothes are examined and pretreated for stains, separate them into loads. Sort first by color, then by construction and fabric type, and then by amount of soil. Select the proper wash temperature for each load. Then select the appropriate wash cycle. Fill the washer with water, add detergent and laundry boosters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Add clothes last.

Avoid common laundry blunders such as overloading the washer, improper load sorting, failure to measure laundry additives, too low water temperature and overdrying.

Using a high spin speed for highly absorbent items, such as towels and sweat shirts, will reduce drying time. The energy it takes to spin water out is less than the energy a dryer uses to dry items.

If the washer has a water return system, reuse the wash water for additional loads. Start with hot water, lightly soiled items and the recommended amount of detergent. Add more detergent for each additional load.

When drying laundry, separate lightweight and heavyweight items for faster and more uniform drying. Dry full loads. Small loads waste energy. Utilize residual heat by reloading the dryer while it’s still warm from a previous load.

“Don’t forget to clean the dryer’s lint screen after each load,” says Centrallo. “Lint buildup can increase drying time by limiting the airflow and can be a fire hazard.”

Overdrying wastes energy. It gives a stiff feel to some items and causes shrinkage in others. Leaving garments in the dryer after it has shut off can cause wrinkling, especially in permanent press articles.

Source: Dr. Carol Centrallo, Apparel and Textile Management Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-1325, and the Soap and Detergent Association

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