Choose cold water when possible. Water heating often accounts for up to 90 percent of the energy needed to run a laundry cycle.

Skip chlorine bleach. Instead, consider lemon juice. It has a natural bleaching power. Add a cup of lemon juice to a load of white clothing to help keep your whites bright and reduce dingy underarm spots. Or you can hang your whites outside and use the sun’s UV rays to work for a natural bleaching.

Try wool dryer balls. Reusable wool dryer balls help absorb moisture from clothes, can significantly reduce drying time, and in turn, reduce energy use. As a bonus: they also help soften clothes and reduce wrinkles.

Turn your dryer off. Air-dry your laundry. If you don't have the space for a clothesline in your yard, consider using a simple drying rack. It can be folded up to be moved, used indoors and stored easily.

Google "ingredients to avoid in laundry detergents." Use zero-waste products to clean your clothing.

Wash clothes only when they are dirty. Not every item needs to be laundered after one wearing.

Do full loads only. Save water and energy by washing clothes only when you have a full load.

Creation Care Team page

Creation Care Team contact: Marie Myer