This post is sponsored by Tide purclean. All opinions are my own and always will be! Thanks for supporting content that keeps Jojotastic going.
Here in #mytinybungalow, I am always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment. While we’re not 100% waste-free (it’s so hard sometimes!), we’ve made some key adjustments in our shopping and home habits that still can have a big impact. Today we teamed up with Tide purclean to share a few things you can do in the laundry room to reduce your impact — while maintaining your budget and getting clean, fresh-smelling clothes!
How To Go Green In Your Laundry Room
Use All Natural Laundry Detergent, like Tide purclean
Between the pets, our active lifestyle, and our countless renovations, I like things clean. I was so worried that switching to a plant-based liquid detergent would not get my clothes (especially the whites) as clean as I like. But I was really set on reducing our impact on the environment, so I turned to Tide purclean and I have not looked back since! I cannot tell you enough good stuff about this detergent. Here are a few highlights:
- It is the first plant-based detergent with the cleaning power you expect from Tide. And it’s certified by the USDA BioPreferred program.
- It’s HE-compatible.
- Tide purclean is produced at a facility that uses 100% renewable wind electricity and is zero manufacturing waste to landfill. How cool is that??
- It’s available in unscented and honey lavender (my personal fave because it smells so good).
While researching how to make our laundry room more sustainable, I learned a ton about what to look for when shopping for a natural laundry detergent. Tide purclean covers all of the bases because it is free of dyes, chlorine, phosphates, ethanolamine (which can cause skin and eye irritations), and optical brighteners. Instead, this natural, plant-based detergent contains ingredients from plant, marine, forestry, and other agricultural sources.
Additionally, Tide purclean offers the affordability that I’ve come to expect from Tide. Especially if you use the Target Cartwheel app. You can use the app for an in-store offer to save even more. Click here to access the exclusive offer!
Benefits of Using A Natural Detergent
The perks of switching to a natural detergent are countless and go beyond a positive impact on the environment. With so many pets in our house, I always keep in mind ways we can make our home safer for them. Also, I have noticed that our clothing and textiles last longer because they aren’t being washed in harsh chemicals… and colors don’t fade nearly as much!
Also, if you’re like me and have sensitive skin, making the switch to a natural laundry detergent is a great move. I can usually tell when I stay in a hotel or friend’s guest room and they don’t use natural detergent because my skin feels extra sensitive and I will even get hives. For this reason, I especially love that Tide purclean is available in unscented. Although I am partial to the honey lavender variety because I’m a sucker for all things lavender.
Invest In A High Efficiency Appliances
One of the very first things I did when I moved into the bungalow was to swap out the ancient washer and dryer for modern, high efficiency appliances. Not only did I receive a credit on my energy bill for doing so, but I immediately noticed that my clothing and bedding were so much cleaner! Also, our water bill was significantly lower after making the change, which is awesome. I highly recommend checking with your city and county to see if there are incentive programs for upgrading to HE appliances. Even if you’re a renter, you could find out that information and present it to your landlord as a way for them to save money (and for you to go a bit greener!).
I also recommend washing as much as possible with cold water. In the past, I always thought hot water was required in order to remove stains… but with the power of detergents these days, that is no longer true. If you’re worried about removing a stain, you can always spot treat it with a natural baking soda-based stain remover before starting your wash cycle, too.
Skip The Dryer Altogether
To further save energy, we have taken to using a drying rack to dry our wet laundry. Especially now that it’s summer! We use this drying rack to hang clothes on which is perfect for apartment living or small spaces. If you have a yard like us, you could also install a retractible clothesline. And use those darling, old school wooden clothespins to fasten your laundry to it! I definitely plan on installing one of those in the next few weeks. You’ll also notice that colors fade less when you air dry laundry, as well.
A Few Moro Eco Friendly, Green Laundry Tips:
- Wear your clothes more than once and save up your laundry for fuller loads (so you’re running the machine less often + saving water).
- If you need an item urgently, wash it by hand instead.
- Wash heavy items together (such as bedding and towels). But make sure you don’t over-load the machines.
- Make sure you read the labels of your clothing items.
- Find a second use for the plastic bottle. Sean cut the top off of our empty bottle and uses it to scoop up dog waste from the yard each week.
- Clean out the lint trap in your dryer for every cycle to increase air circulation and efficiency.
My little laundry ‘helper’ would love to know if you have any more tips to add for going green in the laundry room. Let us know down in the comments. And don’t forget to shop for Tide purclean and use the Target Cartwheel app to save!
