Eco Fashion Week -- Chill Out

With hundreds of new designs hitting runways in New York City this week, you can give your style a fashionably green flair with these tips--no catwalk required.

Tip #1: Chill out

The environmental impact of an item of clothing lasts long after the fibers have been harvested, woven, dyed and shipped. So without making a single new purchase, you can begin to green your fashion by reducing the energy used to clean and maintain your current wardrobe. First step? Rethink your laundry. Heating water accounts for 90 percent of the energy used to wash a typical load. Yet with the exception of bed linens and grease-stained fabrics, most items don't need to be washed in simmering hot temperatures and too-hot water can reduce their longevity. To cut back on energy use, consider choosing clothes labeled for washing in cold water, turning your water heater down to 120 degrees, and using the cold setting whenever possible. If you're not ready to go whole hog, you can cut energy use in half by simply switching the temperature setting from hot to warm.

Comments

[Laurie]

I have had a front-loading washer for about two years now, and it is great! It really does use less water, and since it spins the clothes until they are nearly dry, my dryer time is less. (Wish I could go all the way and move to using a clothes line, but my laundry gets too neglected already.) Cold water works fine! And I agree that there is less wear and tear on the clothes, since there is no agitator.

[Kirsten]

I've been washing in all-cold water for years now and hardly ever use warm or hot water, even when I was washing cloth diapers.

When the weather is nice, I hang the clothes out, but we have a long stretch of cold weather here.

[Margie Campaigne]

I almost didn't even look at this tip, since I'm not into "fashion." I suggest being less cryptic in your subject line.

[ccsoleil]

Kirsten, any suggestions for good green laundry detergent? I have a environmental friendly one, and use a front loader with a eco program, but haven't tried the cold water yet. Hey, but if you can do it, I can too!
I do dry all my laundry outside or inside (in winter) though. On a day like this I can dry two loads outside! :-)

[reason17]

I wash almost everything in cold water. To remove oil and grease stains, I put CitraSolv in a small spray bottle for oil and grease spots. It's totally amazing at removing the stains without taking out any of the fabric's color. Actually, it's my favorite all-round cleaning product. I am not a shareholder, I swear!

[Christy Caine]

Last year when our traditional gas powered water heater finally died, we took the plunge and bought a tankless water heater. It has been wonderful. Immediately we saw a dip in our gas consumption by about 50% and because it heats the water instantly we waste less water waiting for it to "heat up" for baths and showers. About the same time I also embraced drying our clothes outside on the line when I can work it in. It is remarkably easy to do, though does require some forethought like whether it is clouding up for a sprinkle. Also helps to teach little ones not to throw dirt at the nice white sheets. =) My husband loves the way the clothes smell, and there is something about seeing the colors swaying in the breeze that just makes me feel good.

[David Fontanez]

Hi Sierra Club Friends:

I'm a proud Sierra Club member from Puerto Rico. I have a question. Is there an environmentally friendly answer to the use of pampers (disposable diapers)? I take care of my 90 year old mom, who is an Alzheimer's patient, and I have to be purchasing diapers continuously. I know they are a headache for environmentalists but, what can I do?

Do you guys have a suggestion or know about any bio-degradable brand of disposable diapers? If you have any useful information I would greatly appreciate it.

Your friend and colleague,

David

[Carole]

I've used Shaklee cleaning products for years. Their powdered laundry, and all their products, are highly concentrated, so a container lasts a long time saving on packaging. Its only sold through representatives, (and no, I am not one). You should be able to locate one in the yellow pages or online. The Basic H all purpose cleaner is great for hand laundry, it is a staple in my travel kit. This company has been Green for a long time
Drying clothes on line is wonderful, but I use racks, hangers and shower rods to dry things in the house when the weather does not allow for hanging them outside. I live in a very dry area, so it helps put moisture into the house.

[Joanne Drabek]

I also have a front load washing machine and do almost all my loads with cold water. (Very dirty and whites get warm water.) I use PLANET laundry detergent--using less than suggested for the same size top loader. Since I don't have many allergies, I don't worry about dust mite dander....(see info on "bed linens" link.)

PS --thanks for the grease removal tip: citrasolv.

[Joyce Levine]

You forgot to mention underwear. Many women suffer from yeast and other infections that can be eliminated only in hot-water washes. I used to get a yeast infection once every 3-4 months, but I've been completely free of them since I began washing my panties in hot water -- more than 20 years ago! To reduce wear and tear on the garments (which is minimal, unless you expect them to last more than 6 years), keep a lot of underwear in your drawer so each one is washed less frequently.

[Marliss]

When my water heater needed replacing, I wanted to get the new on-demand system. This area, however, has hard water, and my plumbers told me that unless I put in a water softening system (that wastes water)the manufacturer of the on-demand system would not warranty it. So, I had to go with the most efficient regular water heater.