Sustainable Laundry

How to Reduce Energy and Water Usage with Sustainable Laundry.

Small changes can make a significant impact in terms of overall energy usage and water consumption, especially in the laundry room. According to ENERGY STAR, the average household does almost 300 loads of laundry each year, consuming about 6,000 gallons of water.

If you are looking to run your property with a smaller carbon footprint and reduce water and energy costs, using a laundry management partner that focuses on sustainable operations is key. When washers and dryers equipped with resident-friendly controls and features, everyday laundry services can be simplified and made more efficient. Read on to discover how you can lower the carbon footprint for you and your residents.

Sustainable laundry starts with efficient equipment

Many modern laundry machines are designed with efficiency in mind, but even with modern advances, laundry equipment still draws significant electricity and water. A high-efficiency washing machine uses anywhere from 15 to 30 gallons of water per load, which is a decrease in the amount used by older models. This saving on water consumption is one of the greatest benefits of using eco-friendly washing machines.

Front-loading washers save water by using low water levels in the wash and rinse cycles. Before you purchase or lease machines for your multifamily laundry room, be sure to check that machines have earned the ENERGY STAR rating by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines. This means they are estimated to use approximately 35% less water and 35% less energy than standard models. By extracting more water in the spin cycle, these machines also save on the energy consumption later needed for drying.

Reducing carbon emissions with mobile systems

Laundry apps, like WASH-Connect, offer mobile systems that help users be more eco-friendly. The app offers a cash-free experience, giving users the option of mobile payments. It allows for efficient operation, with an option to receive push alerts to notify the resident when the machine has completed its cycle.

If the user has issues with a machine, the mobile system quickly offers suggestions and tips for fixing common problems and allows residents to request service directly from the app. This means fewer service tickets are necessary. No more fixing coin jams or checking in just to see if machines are broken, which translates to overall fewer technician vehicles on the road.

Energy saving tips and resources for residents

Here are some green laundry tips for residents to help save energy, maximize efficiency and reduce water usage one load at a time.

1. Cold water only – Avoid using hot water when not necessary. 90% of the energy used during washing is for heating up the water.
2. Remove lint – Remove lint build-up from the trap before you begin your drying cycle. Built up lint can cause restricted airflow and poor dryer performance.
3. Avoid bleach – Utilize alternative whiteners like oxygen-based bleaches or for a natural solution, try lemon juice.
4. Launder by weight – Keep heavy items like towels in their own wash load, separate from light-weight items. Separating items by weight when washing is the most energy efficient way to wash and dry items.
5. Reduce/reuse packaging – Typical laundry supplies are made of plastics and micro-plastics that end up in the ocean. Always recycle plastic containers so they can continue their journey.

Check out WASH’s library of resources for property owners and residents for useful information on eco-friendly laundry practices and guides. For more quick sustainability and energy-saving tips, visit our website.