Clean and Green Laundry

Being a compulsive rule follower, I often run into competing rules. Sometime ago, a recommended way to save energy was to do laundry in cold water. Then recently I read that odor-causing bacteria on towels, washcloths, etc. aren't killed unless you use "hot" water. I was trying to avoid chlorine bleach because it is toxic stuff - and it is hard on the laundry, too.

So I thought I came up with a good compromise - I first added the clothes (to the washer) that I want subjected to hot water. I filled the washer using straight hot water - just enough to cover the offensive items - and added the laundry detergent. The washer was usually about 1/3 full at this point. I let it "cook" until I remember I'm supposed to be doing laundry for about 10 minutes, then added the other laundry and continue filling with cold water.

It is a bit more labor intensive, but that doesn't seem to bother me.

In doing some research to see if I have been wasting my time and energy, I found this:

ELIMINATING GERMS FROM CLOTHES

Boiling clothes or hanging them in the sunshine were once common ways to get rid of germs. With modern fabrics, fabric finishes, and washing methods, other ways can be used to disinfect the family laundry. Liquid chlorine bleach that contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite will destroy most germs. Quaternary, pine oil, or phenolic disinfectants can be safely used on any washable fabrics. Pine oil disinfectants must contain at least 80% pine oil to destroy germs.

It is always a good idea to use a disinfectant in the wash when someone in the family has a bad cold, the flu, or some other infectious illness. Disinfecting the wash will help prevent other family members from getting the same illness.

Use a disinfectant when washing at a laundromat. Illness from another family can be passed on if the washing machine is not disinfected before it is used. (Gross!) Wipe off the surface of the machine with a disinfectant, then add disinfectant to the wash cycle. Follow the directions on the disinfectant's label.

Revelation: The temperature of the hot water I use probably isn't high enough to kill germs. I realize I never questioned just how hot the water needed to be to actually kill germs. On the other hand, another part of the article says that warm water actually does produce more effective cleaning results. I can save myself some trouble and just use the warm water setting.

Drying laundry outside seems like the best option for killing germs and saving energy (not our own personal energy, but the energy used by our dryer.) I'd rather have my laundry smell like fresh air than pine cleaner or chlorine any day!

Trouble is, I don't currently have a clothesline. Permanent ones aren't allowed in our subdivision. I should look into some sort of alternative.

Doesn't look sturdy enough for outdoors. It gets windy here.

This one assumes you have something to attach the other end to. I have a heavy duty version of this one stashed away somewhere. I bought it to use at our previous house, but I couldn't find two suitable connection points. It might be an option at our current house. I'll have to look for the contraption and see if I can make it work.

To be continued...

P.S. When I'm in the market for replacement laundry appliances, I hear there are greener washing machine options available. Some use less water and less detergent.