On average, a family washes 220 loads of laundry a year, which represents around:
- 26 litres of liquid detergent or 40 kg of washing powder
- 13,000 litres of water
- 230 kWh of electricity
I'll leave you to calculate the total energy and environmental impact!
The products we use are also problematic. Commercial detergents can contain up to 25 different ingredients: many leave residues and micro-particles in the water that pollute rivers and alter ecosystems, with serious consequences for flora and fauna. A detergent that makes you dirty is a bit paradoxical, isn't it? Let's do something about it!
By making your own detergent (liquid, powder, with ivy, ash, etc.), you can control the ingredients that go into it, you can prepare it in large quantities for peace of mind, and of course you save money!
Here are a few things you can do for your laundry:
- Choose organic, sustainable and local fibres
- Donate clothes you no longer use
- Repair worn-out clothes rather than throwing them away
- Choose ethical and local brands
- Sew your own clothes
- Fill your washing machine to the brim before running it
- Wash your clothes at 30ºC: this saves 60% energy and preserves the colours of your clothes!