Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 môn English Studies| Trường Đại học Thăng Long

15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu
Greener washing: how to reduce the carbon and climate impact of your laundry
Some garments can be washed less frequently for fewer laundry cycles and less
detergent, while using cold water saves energy and does virtually the same job as hot water.
Going a week without washing your underwear isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, there are other,
more palatable compromises you can make to ensure your washing routine is more environmentally friendly.
Here’s how to reduce the carbon footprint of your laundry, saving water, power and even some money. Slow down your shopping
Well before you launder, you can start by avoiding fast fashion and trying to shop sustainably.
Not only do cheap clothes not last as long, most microplastics released into wastewater by
synthetic fabrics come out in the first two or three washes. Try to resist seeking out a revolving
door of new clothes and opt for long-lasting cotton, wool and natural fibres.
Instead of adding to the 15kg of clothes bought by Australians every year, companies
including The Clothing Exchange host clothes swaps, and secondhand marketplaces like
Depop are popular avenues to give your clothes a new lease on life or pick up some hand-me-
downs. And then, of course, there are charity shops. Start small, wash less
If not your underwear, consider doing less washes on your outerwear and favourite jeans. Spot
cleaning or light hand washes using eco-friendly stain remover bars or age-old products like
Sunlight laundry soap reduce the reliance on high-chemical alternatives and multiple washing
cycles in the machine. If you are going to put on a load, be sure to fill up the machine – half
loads of laundry lead to more wash cycles and more detergent. Hot ‘n’ cold
According to the Climate Council’s 2023 Smarter Energy Use report, heating water for hot
showers and cleaning clothes accounts for around a quarter of the energy used in our homes.
Washing your clothes on cold can reduce energy used by 80% and does almost exactly the same job.
“When we did a comparison, we found only about 2-3% difference in terms of dirt removal,”
says Ashley Iredale, a team leader and expert in whitegoods at Choice.
Front-loading washing machines are also more efficient than top loaders, using less energy and
water – top loaders can use up to 226 litres of water a load, compared with about 45 litres a load for a front loader.
If you must let the water run hot, think about swapping instant or gas storage water heaters with
an efficient electric heat pump or solar hot water heater to bring down bills and emissions. Selecting your suds
Laundry detergent is among the most toxic chemicals in the home, and there is little need to fill
a scoop to the brim, despite back-of-the-box instructions. 1 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu
“We found you can get a great wash for as little as a third or even a quarter of a scoop of detergent,” says Iredale.
“You’ll probably find you’re using a lot more detergent than you actually need. And if you switch
from a top loader to a front loader because they use less water, you need less detergent again.”
A ranking of 70 common detergents by Choice in partnership with Shop Ethical showed that of
13 brands, Ecostore was the only one with an “A” rating for sustainability, with Earth Choice and
Bosisto’s products the next best choices.
“Soap berries” or “nuts” are all natural, and so have minimal impact on the environment,
but Choice has previously questioned their effectiveness at removing stains. Iredale says they
have not conducted in-depth testing on different brands though, or the various ‘natural’ soap
bars and detergents sold by independent, sustainability-focused brands in Australia.
Detergent sheets are increasingly being called out as greenwashing, with the founder of
Australian eco-store Biome, Tracey Bailey, and the Washington Post scrutinising their use of
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a synthetic plastic material. Detergent sheets’ dishwasher equivalent
has also proven useless in the kitchen.
As for fabric softener, Choice recommends ditching the product entirely to save money, having
found it does little more than plain water to make your towels cuddly. Fold it away
Once washed, dry your clothes outside where possible (after a high spin cycle in the wash).
As power bills remain high, carbon foot printing expert Mike Berners-Lee estimates that a
household running a dryer 200 times a year could save nearly half a ton of CO2 equivalent by
switching to a clothes rack or washing line.
Ditch plastic on the clothesline and buy stainless steel (long lasting) or wooden (biodegradable)
pegs. Cut out ironing by washing clothes in a laundry bag to prevent creasing, hanging up with
sturdy pegs, and folding immediately. End of the cycle
While the average washing machine can last 10 to 15 years, Iredale says they can still perform well when well looked after.
“You’ve got to factor in the materials and the resources that go into manufacturing that new
washing machine, and also what’s going to happen to your old one when you kick it to the curb,” he says.
“Make sure you keep it clean, give it a bit of TLC … and then at the end of life, look for ways that you could recycle it.”
Washed and worn out, your clothes can be recycled too. One such company, Upparel,
estimates every kilo of clothing diverted from landfill prevents three to four kilos of greenhouse
gases. You can also compost some clothes made of natural fibres, and moves are being
made to introduce textile composability standards. Source: The Guardian 2 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu
Activity 1: Useful Vocabulary Word/phrase Part of
speech Definition and example
something that is different and unusual and offers a possible alternative n choice. adj
e.g. She chose tea as an alternative to coffee for her morning routine. clothing items garment n
e.g. She bought a new garment for the party, a sleek black dress. artificial, not natural synthetic adj
e.g. The jacket was made from synthetic materials rather than natural fibers. an agreement in an argument compromise n
e.g. They reached a compromise by agreeing to split the difference. acceptable or satisfactory palatable adj
e.g. The soup was so spicy that it wasn't palatable for everyone at the table.
a chemical substance for removing dirt from clothes or dishes, etc. detergent n
e.g. She used a strong detergent to get the stains out of her shirt.
able to be maintained or continued over a long period without
causing damage to the environment. sustainable adj
e.g. Their company aims to produce sustainable packaging to reduce environmental impact.
the act of sending substances out into the air that harms the environment. emission n
e.g. The car's emission levels were within the acceptable
range for environmental standards. equal in value, amount equivalent adj
e.g. Two cups of flour are roughly equivalent to one pound in weight.
tiny plastic particles from commercial product development. microplastic n
e.g. Scientists are studying the effects of microplastics on marine life. advocacy
n public support of an idea, plan, or way of doing something.
e.g. She dedicated her time to advocacy for animal rights.
Able to decompose naturally and in a way that is not harmful. biodegradable adj
e.g. The packaging was labeled as biodegradable, meaning it
would break down naturally over time. 3 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu
Activity 2: Reading Comprehension
1. What is one way to reduce the carbon footprint of your laundry?
a) Using hot water for all wash cycles.
b) Washing garments less frequently.
c) Adding more synthetic fabrics to your wardrobe.
d) Purchasing more fast fashion items.
2. Why should we refuse fast fashion when shopping for clothes?
a) Fast fashion items have better quality materials.
b) Fast fashion contributes to a higher carbon footprint.
c) Fast fashion items are more durable.
d) Cheap clothes do not last long.
3. What is a common issue with synthetic fabrics in relation to washing laundry?
a) They do not absorb detergent well.
b) They require special dry cleaning only.
c) They release microplastics in wastewater. d) They shrink in cold water.
4. How can humans stretch the lifespan of their clothes?
a) Using hot water for all wash cycles
b) Donating all clothes to charity shops immediately
c) Participating in clothes exchanges
d) Buying more cheap clothes frequently
5. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as a way to reduce the
environmental impact of clothing?
a) Donating unwanted clothes to charity b) Buying second-hand clothing
c) Purchasing clothing made from synthetic fabrics
d) Washing clothes less frequently 4 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu
6. What is one reason the text suggests for avoiding the use of fabric softener?
a) It is harmful to the environment.
b) It is too expensive compared to other options.
c) It can damage clothes over time.
d) It is ineffective and uses more water.
7. How does washing clothes on cold water contribute to reducing energy consumption and environmental impact?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
8. What suggestions does the article provide for reducing the use of laundry detergent?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
9. How does the article recommend extending the lifespan of washing machines and
reducing their environmental impact?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
10. What are some alternatives suggested for drying clothes to minimize energy
consumption and carbon emissions?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________ 5 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu Answer keys: 1. B 2. D 3. C 4. C 5. C 6. D
7. Washing clothes on cold water reduces energy consumption by 80% compared to using hot
water, according to the Climate Council’s 2023 Smarter Energy Use report. This significantly
lowers the environmental impact associated with heating water for laundry purposes while still
effectively cleaning the clothes.
8. The article suggests reducing the use of laundry detergent by using only a fraction of the
recommended amount. It mentions that you can achieve a great wash with as little as a third or
even a quarter of a scoop of detergent. Additionally, switching from a top-loading washing
machine to a front-loading one, which uses less water, can further decrease the need for detergent.
9. To extend the lifespan of washing machines and reduce their environmental impact, the
article recommends proper maintenance and care. It suggests keeping the washing machine
clean, giving it regular TLC, and considering the materials and resources involved in
manufacturing and disposing of washing machines. By taking care of the machine and exploring
recycling options at the end of its life, the environmental impact can be minimized.
10. Some alternative methods for drying clothes to minimize energy consumption and carbon
emissions include drying clothes outside on a clothes rack or washing line, especially after a
high spin cycle in the wash. This can save nearly half a ton of CO2 equivalent per year
compared to using a dryer. Additionally, it advises against using plastic on the clothesline and
recommends opting for stainless steel or wooden pegs, which are more environmentally friendly. 6 15:36, 09/01/2026
Greener Washing: Sustainable Laundry Practices for Group 2 - Studocu