Effortless Eco-Tips: Washing Smarter, Not Harder
Changing Germany's Laundry Practices: Rationale and Reasons - Adjusting Washing Routines in Germany for Environmental Benefits
Appliances don't get more common in German households than washing machines. Almost everyone's got one—only refrigerators are more popular! However, not everyone knows the optimal way to operate their washer. That's a finding shared by the WWF, in partnership with Procter & Gamble (Ariel, Lenor). Both organizations are urging consumers to cut back on water temperatures for the sake of the planet. Unfortunately, we Germans tend to overheat our laundry, using too much energy in the process.
Heike Vesper, the Executive Director of WWF, explains that it's tough to change long-established routines. But, we can change habits for the better by saving energy, money, and, most importantly, our planet!
Modern Machines, Modern Methods
Factors like detergent formulations, machines' mechanical workings, program durations, and selected temperatures work together to clean your laundry. Back in the day, we needed to heat water more intensely because our detergents were less effective. That's changed! Manufacturers have updated their detergent formulations, allowing for lower washing temperatures without sacrificing results.
In 2006, the Öko-Institut found that there were no significant issues with more frequently using lower washing temperatures. Swapping from a 60 to a 40-degree program could save as much as 47% electricity. Choosing 30 degrees instead could save up to 40%.
These findings didn't reach everyone. So, a few years later, several cleaning and washing industry companies united to form the "I Prefer 30°" initiative. Their goal was to draw attention to the energy problem in various EU countries and propose solutions. According to their research, the average washing temperature was 41 degrees. England used 39 degrees, while Denmark was at 43 degrees.
Germany used to be above this average, but in 2022, researchers at the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production in Wuppertal found that Germans were washing at an average of 43.2 degrees. That's a change we need to make! Experts say that the washing machine and water heating account for up to 60% of a washer's carbon footprint. Chemicals are responsible for up to 20%, disposal for up to 15%, and packaging, manufacturing, and transportation contribute only minor portions.
The Seventies' Talk: Mechanical Washing
The first fully automatic washing machine, the "Constructa" by the Düsseldorf company Peter Pfenningsberg, hit the German market in 1951. Weighing in at 600 kilograms, it required 225 liters of water per cycle! Today's machines weigh between 60 and 90 kilograms and use around 50 liters of water on average per cycle. As sales of these devices skyrocketed, environmentalists criticized the resource consumption. Manufacturers then improved efficiency by creating more energy-efficient machines and programs, decreasing the need for raw materials. According to the German Environment Agency, the market share of energy-efficient washing machines in Germany rose from just under three percent in 2008 to over 86 percent in 2018.
Washing for Color and Climate
What to Consider When Washing Colored Clothes
When it comes to most washes, a temperature of 30 degrees is adequate. Even items like underwear, socks, washcloths, and hand towels don't require special treatment. The idea that microorganisms aren't killed at these temperatures is a myth, as our bodies are teeming with bacteria without causing illness. Most of the dust and dirt we encounter is also harmless. Eco-programs, which take more time but save energy through longer soaking, are ideal for energy-saving. However, we recommend higher temperatures for the sake of infectious diseases or people with weakened immune systems.
White Laundry Needs a Little Heat
Washing white laundry at 40 degrees activates bleach more effectively, according to the German Environment Agency. It's also recommended to run a 60-degree program with a bleach-containing full detergent in powder form once a month to eliminate odors and biofilms in the machine. This is also a good time to clean dishcloths, cleaning cloths, or pet blankets, as they are more likely to carry germs.
The Eco-Balance Shows: Washing Colder is Better for CO2 Savings
The "We're turning it down" campaign, led by the initiative's founders who spread their message through posters, packaging, and media, has had initial success. A survey of 1,000 Germans revealed that the average washing temperature decreased by 1.25 degrees Celsius over the course of a year, now just below 42 degrees. This has saved approximately 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The campaign will continue until 2025, aiming to reduce temperatures by an additional three degrees.
If successful, this reduction will bring even more benefits for the environment and nature. Cooler washing helps preserve fibers and colors, making clothes last longer. Ultimately, this could help reduce textile production, a major contributor to climate change worldwide.
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- The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, urging consumers to consider the impact of washing temperatures in their laundry practices, a finding shared by the WWF and Procter & Gamble.
- In 2006, the Öko-Institut found that lower washing temperatures, like 40 and 30 degrees, could save up to 47% and 40% electricity respectively, while in 2022, German researchers at the Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production found that Germans were washing at an average of 43.2 degrees, which significantly contributes to a washer's carbon footprint.
- According to the German Environment Agency, the average washing temperature was found to be 41 degrees, but the "I Prefer 30°" initiative aims to decrease it and encourage people to switch to lower washing temperatures, like 30 degrees, to save energy and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, with initial success shown in a survey of 1,000 Germans.
