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27/04/2025 9:48 am
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While completely eliminating laundry might not be practical, here are some alternatives and ways to reduce how often you do it, ultimately saving money on water, electricity, and detergent:
1. Wear Clothes More Than Once:
- Assess Cleanliness: Unless an item is visibly soiled or smells, consider wearing it again. Many items like jeans, sweaters, and outerwear can be worn multiple times.
- Designated "Around the House" Clothes: Have a set of comfortable clothes specifically for wearing at home that don't need to be washed as frequently as clothes worn outside.
2. Spot Cleaning:
- Tackle Stains Immediately: Address small stains as soon as they happen with a spot cleaner, a damp cloth, or even a bit of dish soap. This can prevent the need to wash the entire garment.
3. Hand Washing Small Items:
- Delicates and Small Loads: For delicate items like lingerie, socks, or a few lightly soiled pieces, hand washing in a sink or basin uses significantly less water and energy than a machine wash.
4. Airing Out Clothes:
- Freshen Up: Hanging clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area can help remove odors and moisture, potentially extending the time between washes. Sunlight can also have a natural sanitizing effect.
5. Using a Steamer:
- Remove Wrinkles and Odors: Garment steamers can effectively remove wrinkles and freshen up clothes without a full wash. This is a good option for items that have been worn once and just need a little reviving.
6. Freezing Clothes (for Odor):
- Reduce Bacteria and Odor: Placing clothes in a sealed bag and freezing them for a few hours is suggested to kill some odor-causing bacteria. This might allow for another wear before a wash, especially for items like jeans. However, freezing doesn't remove dirt or stains.
7. Less Washing in General:
- Wash Only When Necessary: Be mindful of how often you're automatically throwing clothes in the laundry. Sometimes, a quick assessment will reveal they don't actually need to be washed yet.
- Wear Layers: Using layers can help keep your base layers cleaner for longer, reducing the frequency of washing those items.
8. Consider Laundry Bars or DIY Detergent (for when you do wash):
- Potentially Cheaper: Laundry bars for handwashing can be more cost-effective than liquid detergents for small loads. You can also explore DIY laundry detergent recipes, although research is needed to ensure effectiveness and safety for your machine and clothes.
Important Considerations:
- Hygiene: Be mindful of hygiene, especially for underwear, workout clothes, and items that come into direct contact with your skin for extended periods. These generally need to be washed after each wear.
- Fabric Care: Always check the care label of your garments before trying alternative cleaning methods. Some fabrics require specific washing instructions.
- Build-up: While wearing clothes more than once can save money, keep an eye out for any build-up of dirt or body oils that might require a proper wash to avoid damage or lingering odors.
By incorporating some of these alternatives, you can likely reduce the frequency of your laundry loads, leading to noticeable savings over time. Remember to balance cost-saving with maintaining cleanliness and the longevity of your clothes.
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