May Green Tip

There’s a simple path to greener laundry: pick the cold water wash! Around 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes to simply heating the water.*

*ENERGY STARŪ clothes washer fact sheet

Setting the Record Straight

Many people assume that they’re getting extra cleaning power by washing in hot water, but in most cases washing clothes in cold water is just as effective as washing clothes in hot water.

Hot water is sometimes beneficial when you’re trying to remove oily stains or sanitize heavily soiled items, but otherwise wears out clothes quickly, causing them to fade, stretch, and wrinkle. The hot cycles on most Harvard residential washing machines don’t even heat water to the temperatures required to destroy or remove a majority of allergens (130-140°F).

Your Actions Add Up!

If all of Harvard's 12,372 dorm/apartment residents washed one less load per week in hot water, using cold instead, we would annually save:

• $297,000 in utility bills
• 1.8 MILLION pounds of CO2

That's like taking 160 cars off the road!

Tips for Even Greener Laundry

• Always wait to wash until you have a full load; combine partial loads with those of fellow residents.
• Choose detergents and other laundry products that are ecologically friendly. Check labels for products that are biodegradeable, plant-derived, free of phosphates, and concentrated (so you’ll use less each load).
• Spin clothes at high speeds-- this will reduce the time needed to dry your clothes in an electric dryer.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline rather than an electric dryer whenever possible.
• If purchasing a clothes washer, choose one certified by ENERGY STARŪ; you may cut energy use by a third and water use by half. You may also be eligible for a rebate.

Resources

• ENERGY STARŪ Clothes Washer Best Practices for energy conservation
• ENERGY STARŪ Clothes Washer Buying Guide
• US Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Benefits of Water Efficiency