View source for Washing and drying clothes

[[File:Shirts airing.JPG|thumb|After being hung up overnight in a breezy location, shirts worn once (even in the tropics!) smell quite fresh enough to wear again.]]

Washing and drying [[clothing]] are common activities that can use a lot of [[energy]] and [[water]] and produce large amounts of [[wastewater]] - if we aren't careful. But there are many things, most importantly washing in cold water and line drying, which are not only greener, but will make your [[Clothing|clothes]] last longer. Just don't leave your clothes outside too long, or they may fade.

Washing is also very laborious where there are no washing machines.

However there are ways to reduce energy, water consumption and pollution, and reduce effort.

== Energy usage ==

We need to [[Energy conservation|use less energy]] with efficient washers. Use cold water (unless there is abundant [[solar hot water]]), and use [[renewable energy]] where possible.

== Water usage ==

The more [[water]] we use, the harder it is to process the [[waste water]], and the more strain we place on the water supply.

We need to:

* Use more [[water efficient]] washers,
* Use water at least twice - e.g. use [[greywater irrigation]] of gardens (which requires [[greywater]] treatment and/or using suitable [[detergents]] to avoid poisoning the plants).
* irrigate gardens at night

== Water pollution ==

Minimize the use of detergent, by:

* Remembering that water itself is a solvent - you probably don't need as much detergent as you're using now. Consider washing in water only, every second wash - this works surprisingly well esp if there are no stains, and especially if you have solar water.
* Following other recommendations on this page to reduce the need for washing (air your clothes to keep clothes smelling fresher longer, and choice of clothing color).
* Washing in warm or hot water, as appropriate to the clothes - only as long as you have solar hot water!

Consider these words about the chemicals you use:

: What do you do when you clean? You take dirt, you add more dirt in the form of chemical agents, and then you put all that dirt somewhere else - usually into the water supply. Once people appreciate that they make other things dirty when they make their clothes clean, they think differently about what they're doing...
: Do you want to take a chemical derived from benzene, put it on your white clothes, let it absorb ultraviolet rays, get energized, and then emit ultraviolet rays with a bluish hue - all to trick your brain into thinking a graying shirt is white? Is there a value to that, especially when it may create health risks? Is it worth the hazards to your kids? - Gunther Pauli, head of Ecover.[http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/00/pauli.html?page=0%2C2]

== Labor ==

You have better things to do than wash clothes, and you'd rather your hands didn't become dry and cracked from hours of handwashing, so you would probably prefer a washing machine rather than hand-washing your clothes. Those in [[poor]] communities are the same as you, but 1) cannot yet afford a washing machine, and 2) when they can, they will have the same heavy impact on their environment as the rich do.

So, how do we have the best of both worlds? We need better designs, better practices and better detergents.

== Reducing the need for washing ==

{{Main|Clothing}}

Environmental impact and labor can both be saved by measures that reduce the need for washing: suitable choice of clothes (color and fabric) and habits such as hanging and airing clothes. See the [[Clothing]] page for more detailed suggestions.

Levi Strauss<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/science/earth/levi-strauss-tries-to-minimize-water-use.html</ref>recently claimed that putting their jeans in a freezer for a couple of days would kill most of the bacteria and smells. However an anarctic microbiologist has debunked this claim as a myth,<ref>http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/11/the-myth-of-the-frozen-jeans/</ref> saying that “one might think that if the temperature drops well below the human body temperature they will not survive, but actually many will. Many are preadapted to survive low temperatures. And it takes only one survivor to repopulate your jeans when they warm up."

It might be true that freezing clothing reduces the smell. But freezing clothing does not somehow make them clean, so at best it is a temporary solution in the situation where you have a freezer but no way to wash clothing.

== Saving energy ==

{{Attrib pd|url=[http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/laundry.html EERE Energy Savers: Laundry] |statement=http://www1.eere.energy.gov/webpolicies/}}

About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water. There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for washing clothes—use less water and use cooler water. Unless you're dealing with [[Oil|oily]] stains, the warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.

=== Tips ===

* Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water [[detergent]]s whenever possible.
* Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
* Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
* Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
* Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
* Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
* Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
* Consider air-drying clothes on clothes lines or drying racks. Air-drying is recommended by clothing manufacturers for some fabrics.
* '''$ Long-Term Savings Tip''': Look for the [http://www.energystar.gov/ ENERGY STAR] and [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/energyguide.html EnergyGuide labels]. ENERGY STAR clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers. Most full-sized [http://www.energystar.gov/ ENERGY STAR] washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine. [http://www.energystar.gov/ ENERGY STAR] models also spin the clothes better, resulting in less drying time. (Note: Energy STAR and [http://www.energyguide.com/ EnergyGuide] are U.S. programs, but similar programs exist in many developed countries)
* '''$ Long-Term Savings Tip''': When shopping for a new clothes dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, it will save wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.
* '''$ Long-Term Savings Tip''': [http://www.energystar.gov/ ENERGY STAR] does not label clothes dryers because most of them use similar amounts of energy, which means there is little difference in energy use between models.

== Saving water ==

A method of saving water is to re-use water from the rinse cycle for the next wash. A place is needed to store the water. Great care should be taken if color has come out in the water, not to use that water for washing light-colored clothing. Thus the best design is likely to use a tub or tank which is white or light colored on the inside, and which can be looked into to check the water.{{Sp}}

== Buying a washing machine? ==

{{Attrib pd |url =[http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/washmachalrt.shtm Buying a Washing Machine? It's a Load-ed Question] - Consumer Alert, US Federal Trade Commission|statement=https://www.appropedia.org/US_federal_government_websites_and_public_domain}}

=== Buying a washing machine? It's a load-ed question ===

If you're in the market for a new washing machine, consider sinking your clothes into an energy-efficient one. It will not only conserve energy but, closer to home, can help lower your utility bills.

To help consumers see just how energy-efficient a washing machine is, the Federal Trade Commission requires manufacturers to post an EnergyGuide label on their appliances. The Guide shows how each model measures up — energy-wise — to others of the same size.

For many years, the Guides compared top-loading models with similarly sized top-loaders and front-loading washers with similarly sized front-loaders. But changes in technology and marketing are resulting in changes in the law: Starting July 2000, changes to the FTC's Appliance Labeling Rule and the familiar yellow-and-black EnergyGuide will make both more meaningful for consumers and manufacturers.

With front-loaders now more widely available for purchase in the U.S., the FTC has decided to require manufacturers to provide information that will compare all washing machines of a certain size (either "standard" or "compact") with others of the same size, regardless of whether they are loaded from the top or the front. The label change is expected to alert consumers to highly energy-efficient clothes washers and spur competition among U.S. manufacturers. Front-loaders, which have been popular for years in Europe, generally are considered more energy efficient than top-loaders, although they usually are more expensive, too.

=== Spinning to a different drum ===

Most washing machines sold in the U.S. are top-loaders. They wash the clothes with an agitator that turns on a vertical axis. The tub also spins the clothes dry on a vertical axis. Front-loaders work by tumbling the clothes and then spin-drying them in a tub that rotates on a horizontal axis.

There are some exceptions: One manufacturer makes a horizontal-axis machine that loads from the top, and another company sells a machine with an axis that is between vertical and horizontal.

Typically, front-loaders use less water — from one-third to one-half the amount that top-loaders require. The clothes tumble in the tub, rising above the water and then falling back into it as the tub rolls on its side. Because less water is used, less gas or electricity is required to heat the water; because the machines spin faster, clothes get wrung out more completely, reducing the cost of running a clothes dryer.

Horizontal-axis washers (front-loaders) have one major drawback: They can cost more than vertical-axis machines. Still, with the energy savings they provide, front-loaders may save you money in the long run. In some areas of the U.S., utility companies, environmental groups and government agencies help sweeten the deal by offering incentives to consumers who buy front-loaders. At the same time, there are many highly efficient top-loaders available, too. Use the EnergyGuide to find efficient products at the price that's right for you.

=== Reading the "EnergyGuide" ===

The bright yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label used in the [[USA]] (or similar labels in other countries) helps consumers factor an appliance's energy consumption or [[efficiency]] and its annual operating cost into their purchasing decision. The law requires manufacturers to place the label on most major appliances so that consumers will see it when they are considering various models.

The EnergyGuide for clothes washers uses [[kilowatt-hour]]s (a measure of [[electricity]] use) to tell how much energy each appliance uses in a year and compares the appliance with other appliances of the same or similar size. The range on the label — where the appliance's energy use is on a continuum — is of particular benefit to consumers: A marker shows where the particular model falls in the range and how it stacks up against the competition.

The EnergyGuide also gives the estimated cost per year to run the particular model when it is used with an electric water heater and with a [[natural gas]] water heater.

=== Saving energy ===

Getting the best energy value from any washing machine depends on several energy-saving wash-day practices. For example:

* If possible, wash one big load rather than two small ones.
* Load the washer to capacity.
* If you must wash smaller loads, select lower water levels, if possible.
* Use cold water rinses.
* Use lower temperature settings and pre-treat or pre-soak stains or heavily soiled clothing.
* Use the recommended amount and type of detergent.
* Set the thermostat on your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission, USA) works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a [https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01 complaint] or to get [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm free information on consumer issues], visit [http://www.ftc.gov/ ftc.gov] or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into [http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel Consumer Sentinel], a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

== Separation and washing options ==

{{Copyedit|This section needs to be simpler and clearer, with some of the prescriptions removed (e.g. commanding to use a specific temperature).}}

This section describes a procedure to ensure proper washing yet in a speedy and simple manner.

Some other methods describe more separation of laundry and several washing periods (for several types of fabrics), but that consumes more time, electricity, water and cleaning agent.

=== Separation ===

When clothing is dirty, it may be separated immediately into a correct bin, so that the sorting of the laundry does not need to be done twice - this method means that two bins are placed in the room where the clothes are discarded (e.g. bathroom). There are one for white & heavily polluted clothes and one for colored clothes. However it is also a matter of the colorfastness of the fabric.

==== Separation method 1 ====

* White and heavily polluted clothes and fabrics are sorted together. These include white clothing and fabrics as towels (kitchen towels, bath towels, ...), linen, white socks, and heavily polluted clothing as underwear, handkerchiefs, pillow cases, ... Note that most of the heavily polluted clothes are generally white as well so that no color blending can occur. Where this is not the case, an alternative method should be used. Also note that heavily polluted clothing refers to the amount of bacteria/microorganisms the clothing generally carries after use, not only the degree of visible filth.
* Colored clothes. These include pants, shirts, colored socks, skirts, ...

=== Washing procedure ===

==== Washing method 1 (requires additional ironing afterwards) ====

The washing method for washing laundry with a washer machine after the separation method 1 has been followed is the following:

* The separated laundry piles (see laundry separation above) are inserted separately in the machine (thus in 2 runs). When the separation method 1 is used, the white and heavily polluted clothes/fabrics are washed at 60°Celsius and the colored clothes are washed at 40°Celsius.

=== Ironing ===

After drying, the clothes may be ironed,{{W|ironing}} which de-wrinkles the clothes and may help with disinfection (see [[#Disinfection]], below).

The de-wrinkling my be unnecessary, especially if the clothes are hung carefully and air flow is optimized when drying. Wrinkling may also be kept to a minimum by [http://www.ehow.com/how_2203616_clothes-wrinklefree-ironing.html tricks such as adding vinegar] to the washing machine.

== Disinfection ==

For people with compromised immune systems, or where clothes have been exposed to dangerous [[pathogens]], it is important to ensure that disinfection occurs. For people without significant health problems, regular washing should be sufficient.

One or more of the following steps may be important:

* Washing - thorough soaking and washing, cleaning the clothes thoroughly, will remove the vast majority of pathogens. Increase soak and wash times to improve cleanliness.
** Drying in sunshine - in sunny conditions, the [[ultraviolet]] light is very effective at disinfection. This is effective for the clothing of people golden staph{{W|Staphylococcus aureus}} infections.
** Be sure to use adequate detergent
** Additives in the wash cycle. Bleach? How much to be effective?{{Sp}}
** Hot water (how hot to be effective against bacteria? This is time-dependent, e.g. 80°C will kill much more quickly and thoroughly than 60°C.
** Ironing{{Fact}}

This discarding of the ironing however also has a antibacterial working, meaning that the laundry separation & washing method 1 can not be used if there are concerns about bacteria.{{Clarify}}

=== External links ===

* [http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Laundry WikiHow's washing method with more separation of fabrics]

Note: this article section was based on onformatio from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Laundry_separation_and_washing

== Human power ==

[[Pedal-powered washing machine]]s have been made at MIT in partnership with [[Maya Pedal]], a [[Guatemala]]n NGO (see [http://web.mit.edu/teresab/www/Bicilavadora/index.html Bicilavadora: A Pedal-powered Washing Machine]) and at Humboldt's [[Campus Center for Appropriate Technology]] (see [[HSU Bike powered washing machine]]). These designs use direct power, rather than generating electricity to run the washer.<ref>[http://www.los-gatos.ca.us/davidbu/pedgen/washing_machine.html Pedal Powered Washing Machine Tests], David Butcher, a pedal-power enthusiast, calculates it would take 1 hr and 45 minutes of pedaling to generate electricity for one load of washing. Presumably it is significantly more efficient to use the mechanical power directly, rather than using a generator; also this may be cheaper in a developing country setting.</ref> There are also [[Google:pedal-powered-washing-machine|many more hits on Google]].

The [[Centre for Appropriate Technology (Australia)]]{{W|Centre for Appropriate Technology (Australia)}} has had some success in Australian indigenous communities with a hand-operated "washing machine" using a paddle to stir the water, which is popular for washing blankets. Attempts have been made by CAT (or people associated with CAT) to introduce it to Indonesia, but it was not popular, as they felt the clothes were not getting a proper wash.<ref>Based on personal conversation between [[User:Chriswaterguy|Chriswaterguy]] and (name?) from CAT, at the EWB Australia national conference, 2005.</ref>

A television show in Australia in the 1980s ("The Inventors"?) had a small hand-operated washing machine, suitable for nappies (USA "diapers"), for example, while camping.

== Reducing labor ==

Washing clothes for those who cannot afford a washing machine can be hard work which is particularly hard on the hands.

[[Solar hot water]] could make soaking and washing easier and more effective, as the additional cleaning effect from using warm or hot water could be an alternative to hard scrubbing work the hands. Of course, this is not suitable for all materials, especially colored clothing, or clothing which is liable to shrink. Care should be taken not to immerse the hands in very warm or hot water for long periods, as this will be even harder on the hands than usual. The clothes might be soaked for a time in just enough water to cover, with detergent, then cooler water added before scrubbing; or it may be left to soak for long enough (overnight or a couple of hours) that the water has cooled down significantly before scrubbing.

== Spin-drying or wringing ==

In developing countries, after washing and before hanging up, clothes are generally wrung out by hand.<ref>This is common practice in Indonesia, and presumably also the case in other developing countries. --[[User:Chriswaterguy|Chriswaterguy]]</ref> This is less effective than the spin cycle of a washing machine, and the result is that the clothes dry less quickly, and have a less fresh smell.<ref>At least, I assume it's the less effective wringing that is the reason for the smell. Note that it's not a really bad smell, but clothes that have been through the washing machine and spun dry are definitely fresher smelling. --[[User:Chriswaterguy|Chriswaterguy]] </ref> Wringing is also hard work, and tough on the skin of the hands.

It may be possible to build an [[appropriate technology]] spin dryer.

* Depending on just what you have in mind, a simple [[centrifuge]] to extract "most" of the water from the clothes should be one of the simplest possible human-powered devices. One needs only a circular "cage" mounted on an axis (horizontally would probably be best), and a bicycle-chain, drive shaft, or even a rope "belt" around pulleys from the power source. [[Pedal power]] would be ideal, but even a handcrank should work with this. -- [[User:Writtenonsand|Writtenonsand]] 15:07, 5 March 2008 (PST)

However, the best solution may be the one which was popular in Western countries before washing machines became popular, i.e. the mangle or [[clothes wringer]]{{W|clothes wringer}}, in which clothes are passed between two rollers which squeeze them tightly.

Examples of wringers can be seen at [http://www.survivalunlimited.com/clothewringer.htm here at Survival Unlimited] - these start at around US$100, but it can be expected that they should be much cheaper in a developing country, especially if mass-produced. (Other pictures, including old-style wringers, can be seen at [http://images.google.com.au/images?q=clothes-wringer&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images Google image search].)

== Drying clothes ==

[[File:Underware.jpg|thumb|right|Clothes hanging to dry in Parras, Mexico]]

Traditionally in most places, clothes are dried on a [[clothesline]]{{W|clothesline}}. This practice uses readily free, [[renewable energy]] sources - wind and sunshine.

Care should be taken with colored clothes, as they may fade in the sun. They should either be left in the sun for a short time only, or dried in a shady position (or hung out overnight so that they are almost dry by sunrise - this may be less effective where there is heavy dew or fog).

Wealthier people (whether in developing or advanced countries) may choose to use [[Clothes dryer|clothes dryers]]{{W|clothes dryer|clothes dryers}} - they are seen as convenient and reliable, not dependent on weather. However, they are very wasteful of energy.

Some council codes (e.g. in many parts of Sydney, Australia) actually require developers to install clothes dryers.<ref>This contributes to the unexpected result that new apartments in Sydney use as much as or more energy than stand-alone houses.</ref> This is very wasteful of energy, and so sustainable alternatives are desirable. Where drying clothes in public view is not allowed, in order to maintain a tidy appearance, there are designs which can satisfy both [[sustainability]] and aesthetics. One approach is to have drying rooms (perhaps a small section of a balcony) with louvers to allow airflow. Another is to have the balcony railing designed in such a way (e.g. with louvers) that drying racks below a certain height are not visible from outside the building. You could also have some ventian blinds pulled at different levels and stages of opening to create warm air flow and aesthetically pleasing.

In some cases, such as hospitals or large hotels, clothes dryers may be considered necessary, either for regular use or (preferably) only as a backup. It is perhaps inevitable that laundromats will have dryers as well, if only for urgent situations where a customer needs or wants to dry clothes quickly. In this case, more efficient dryers such as heat pump dryers{{W|Clothes dryer#Heat pump dryers}} and mechanical steam compression dryers{{W|Clothes dryer#Mechanical steam compression dryers}} should be considered. Gas dryers may also be more efficient and have lower [[carbon emissions]].{{Sp}} Where energy ratings are given, these should be considered. More efficient dryers are likely to be more expensive up front, but will have lower ongoing energy costs, which will be very significant in cases of frequent use.

== New technologies ==

=== Ultrasonic cleaning ===

[[Ultrasonic]] cleaning is currently being investigated as a possible alternative to conventional [[dry cleaning]].

Ultrasonic waves pass through a solution of water and soaps, and the particles of soil, being more dense than the fiber, separate from the fabric.

Results have been encouraging enough that it is being developed further, but the effect on fabrics is not completely clear yet. <ref>[http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/garment/tech_rep/clothes.pdf Training Curriculum for Alternative Clothes Cleaning], the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute, University of Massachusetts. See also the answer and links at [http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ajs8T71dR8bHe0QhrfzEV0IjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20060930200640AAPL9A5 Yahoo Answers].</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Green cleaning]]
* [[Clothes drying]]
* [[HSU Bike powered washing machine]]
* [[Greywater]] - what to do with the dirty wash water.
* [[Soap]]
* [[Principles of clothes washing and washing machine design]]

== External links ==

* [http://web.mit.edu/teresab/www/Bicilavadora/index.html Bicilavadora: A Pedal-powered Washing Machine] - MIT in partnership with [[MayaPedal]].

== References and footnotes ==

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Green living]]
[[Category:Laundry]]
[[Category:Water conservation]]