Your Guide to Green Washing: Tips & Tricks for the Environment and Clothing

Discover how you can wash your laundry in an environmentally friendly way! Tips on detergent, washing machines and sustainable methods for environmentally friendly washing.

 

Sustainability influences our lives in almost every area - especially in the fashion industry. In recent years, designers have increasingly been using sustainable materials and environmentally friendly production methods. But sustainability does not end as soon as a new piece of clothing has found its place in our closet. Rather, we can also help ensure that our favorite pieces lead a long and sustainable life.

A crucial factor is how we handle our textiles, especially the way we wash them. This not only affects the lifespan of our clothes, but can also waste energy unnecessarily and harm the environment.

How can you prevent this and wash your laundry properly and as economically as possible? In this blog post, we'll show you how easy it is to make a big difference with a few small steps - for the environment and your wallet.

Why should we pay attention to sustainability when doing laundry?

Washing clothes is a daily activity in millions of households around the world - but the environmental impact of this routine is often underestimated. For example, did you know that we use around 630,000 tons of detergent every year? To put that into perspective: That's the equivalent of the weight of around 175,000 elephants!

Conventional detergents often contain critical ingredients such as fragrances and aggressive chemicals that are difficult to biodegrade and pose a real environmental burden. As if that wasn't enough, our clothing also contributes to the environmental problem, because synthetic textiles such as polyester and nylon release tiny plastic particles - so-called microplastics - with every wash cycle. These enter our waterways such as rivers, lakes and the oceans via wastewater, endangering animals, ecosystems and ultimately human health.

In addition to the chemical and microplastic challenges of washing, the consumption of resources must not be ignored. With a single wash cycle we use around 50 liters of water and the energy consumption should not be underestimated either. Heating the water actually contributes significantly to the increasing CO₂ emissions worldwide.

Don't worry, we don't want to make you feel guilty or tell you to stop doing laundry altogether. Instead, we want to show you how you can make this everyday process more sustainable and wash in a more environmentally friendly way with simple measures.

Three practical tips for sustainable washing

1. Make sure you use the right amount of detergent.

Many people find it particularly difficult to measure out liquid detergent and often tend to use more detergent than they actually need. Too much detergent not only harms the environment, but can also leave unsightly residues on your clothes (and washing them again is unfortunately not exactly sustainable either). Therefore, always follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging and adjust the amount to the water hardness and the degree of soiling of your laundry in order to always achieve the same washing performance. It is best to use bio-based detergent or you may even be motivated enough to make your own detergent.

2. 60 degrees or 30 degrees? Choose the right temperature.

A common misconception concerns the choice of washing temperature. Many modern detergents are designed to thoroughly clean normally soiled laundry at 30°C or 40°C. This means that you don't have to worry about the cleanliness of your clothes. In fact, a temperature of 30°C is often sufficient to clean lightly soiled laundry efficiently.

Washing at low temperatures has several advantages: Not only does it save energy, it also protects the colors of your textiles, which stay bright and fresh for longer. In addition, it reduces the release of microplastics, as gentler washing conditions protect the fibers of synthetic materials.

High temperatures of 60°C or more, on the other hand, are only necessary for heavily soiled or hygienic laundry, such as towels or bed linen, as they kill germs and bacteria more effectively. By adjusting your temperature choice to the type of laundry, you can not only save resources, but also actively contribute to protecting the environment.

3. Don’t forget to clean your washing machine too.

Of course, the washing machine plays a central role in the household, but it is just as important to take care of it properly. To avoid problems, you should regularly check the rubber seals on the door for dirt and clean them. Mold or foreign objects can easily accumulate here - so it is advisable to carefully wipe the seals dry after each wash.

The lint filter and detergent compartment also deserve regular attention, as dirt can also build up there. Thorough cleaning ensures smooth operation.

Since germs can form in the washing machine or unpleasant smells can develop, it is also advisable to run the machine empty at 60 °C or 90 °C every one to two months. Add a little vinegar or special washing machine cleaner to keep the machine hygienically clean. This will ensure that your washing machine lasts a long time and always works efficiently.

Environmentally friendly washing with our solution: The EccoClean Power Washing Sticks

We have often asked ourselves how we can make washing clothes easier, quicker and, above all, more environmentally friendly. Why make it complicated when it can be simple? This thought led to a brilliant idea: our EccoClean washing sticks. Washing becomes child's play with the washing sticks. No measuring, no dosing, no plastic waste - simply place a washing stick directly in the drum, set the desired washing mode and the rest takes care of itself.

Our sustainable detergent is suitable for all textiles (except wool and silk) and guarantees perfect cleaning at temperatures from 15 to 95 °C. For soft water, one stick is enough to thoroughly clean up to 7 kg of dry laundry. For medium or hard water, we recommend two sticks to get the most out of every wash.

Whether it's white laundry, colorful favorites, clothing for sensitive skin or even sneakers - we have the right washing stick for every need. This way, your clothes stay clean for as long as possible and stay fresh and colorful for longer.

What are the advantages of EccoClean washing sticks?

With the EccoClean washing sticks you can rely on sustainability without compromise:

• No plastic, no microplastics: clean for laundry, clean for the environment.
• Free from fillers and colorants: We only contain what really counts.
• Biodegradable: The cellulose stick dissolves completely when washing clothes and is kind to nature.
• Easy to dose: Each of our sticks contains exactly 7g of washing powder.
• Resource-saving: Thanks to their small volume, the washing sticks save considerable amounts of CO₂ compared to conventional liquid detergents – from production to transport.

Tips and Tricks to go - Small Improvements

1. Use the dryer sparingly

We know that the tumble dryer is tempting, but it also contributes to the high energy consumption of your household. Instead, you should let your laundry air dry, whether on the clothes rack in your apartment, on the balcony or in the garden. This not only saves energy, but it is also gentler on your clothes. But don't worry, in an emergency you can of course use the dryer.

2. Care for and repair garments

In principle, we should try to wash our clothes less often. Instead, it is often enough to air the clothes overnight or take them into the bath when you shower so that the steam gives them a new lease of life. The less often you wash your clothes and can do without detergent, the less stress you put on your clothes. Small holes or loose seams can also be easily repaired yourself - this way your clothes will last longer.

3. Rely on the second love

By buying second-hand clothing, you help extend the lifespan of textiles and save resources. By choosing used clothing, you reduce the demand for new products, which in turn reduces CO2 emissions and water consumption in textile production. In this way, you actively contribute to a more conscious use of resources and a fairer fashion industry.

What do we learn from this?

Washing clothes sustainably is an important step towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. With simple changes, such as using the right amount of detergent, washing energy efficiently and using innovative products such as EccoClean Power Washing Sticks, you can protect the environment and take optimal care of your clothes at the same time. Always remember: every little step counts!