Eco Washing - Tips For A More Sustainable Laundry Routine

Laundry. It’s the one constant on everybody’s to-do list (why does it never seem to end?). So it only makes sense, especially as we gear up for colder months, that we make sure we’re doing it as sustainably as possible. That’s why, without further ado, we’re handing the mic over to our friends at Nimble, masters of stress-free cleaning…

At Nimble, we’re all about bringing practical solutions for the everyday task - and we know it’s probably full of laundry bags these days. But if we can help you make some small steps to do it more sustainably along the way, we’re all for it! Every little step matters to be kinder to our babies and the world they’ll grow up in. Here are our team’s top tips with your washing machine, whether you have a little explorer or not!

Do fewer loads

“That sweater… should I wear it one more time or should I put it in the dirty pile?” We’ve all been there!

Sometimes, it’s easier said than done, but doing fewer loads will inevitably help you reduce the energy and water use (as well as your power bill!). So, knowing how often we should wash our garments might come in handy!

This is our guide on how frequently we should wash our grown-up clothes. Of course, it will depend on everyone’s lifestyle, the air pollution in your city, and your tendency to sweat.

• Jacket one or twice per year
• Sweater after 2 uses
• Denim after 5 or 6 uses
• Work out garment after 1 use
• Baby garment after 1 use
• …or you can adopt our ops manager Alex’s tip – the “LOOK AND SMELL” test 😊

Skip drying

Tumble drying is definitely faster but consumes a lot of energy.

If you can skip drying and opt for a drying rack, that’s a good step forward (especially on these sunny days). Of course, it depends on your house setting, we understand that not everyone has a garden to hang clothes, but if you have a clothes horse, please consider using it!

Don’t use too much detergent

Because if you use too much, it won’t get your clothes cleaner. It will just add an unnecessary liquid that could more quickly damage your washing machine - resulting in having to change it faster - and that can leave more deposits on the fabric.

Plus, you’ll have to buy another liquid detergent far quicker too!

Did you know, you only need 40ml of our Nimble Laundry Lover for a 4-5 kg load. 

Don’t overload your washing machine

Don’t get us wrong, we don’t recommend running a half-empty load either. But overloading your washing machine will end up sticking your clothes together, which means they won’t have enough space to do their little “washing dance” and stop your clothes from getting properly cleaned.

Our Nimble top tip: 3/4 full is just about right!

Try quicker, colder washes

Try turning your wash cycle down to 30 degrees, and you might be surprised to see a difference! This means your laundry detergent gets the job done just as well at a colder temperature, yay! This results in less power used, and a cheaper power bill 😊.

As for shorter a wash, if your washing machine has a quick setting, you might want to give it a go as it will save water while washing your clothes too.

Choose an eco-friendly detergent

There are a lot of elements to consider when looking for an eco-friendly detergent.

From the quality of the ingredients to the number of ingredients used in the formula, to the packaging, and where the bottle is made can all be good indicators. On top of that, you can also consider the energy you use and check the ingredients present in the detergent.

Some traditional detergents can contain up to 30 ingredients. And some may also have ingredients that will end up harming the ocean life. The worst part is that, by law, manufacturers don’t have to declare their ingredient list on the labels. This is why you may have seen jargon like “5-15%: Anionic Surfactants”.

We believe it makes very little sense to keep this information from our consumers. We know that we’re far from perfect, but from day 1, we’ve decided to declare all our ingredients on our labels so you can choose wisely knowing what’s inside our bottles.

Keep your washing machine clean

Nothing smells better than fresh, clean laundry! And keeping your washing machine squeaky clean will ensure it stays fresh and tough on stains. Not only will this help to preserve your washing machine, but also avoids damaging your clothes too!

A few tips to keep the washing machine spotless:

• Don’t forget every month to clean the drawer, the door seal, the door, the filter and the descale drawer.
• Check your manual to see if you have a cleaning mode
• Descale your machine using a quick empty hot wash with white vinegar or lemon juice instead of the laundry detergent.
• Between washes, keep the door open so it aerates and dries inside.

About Nimble – stress-free cleaning.

Because being a parent is a messy business, Nimble has created a range of house cleaning products that are specially developed for safe usage around young ones. This means no harsh chemicals, allergens or skin-irritating ingredients. Just the power of plants to be gentle on skin and get the job done!

From laundry essentials to anti-bac cleaners and bottle cleaner, their award-winning products are made in the UK, certified vegan and cruelty-free.

On your side for the messy moments!

Get an exclusive discount on Nimble’s website to top up your cleaning essentials: 25% off the whole website using the code “MAMAMADE25”.

Offer valid for all UK orders until 31st September 2022!

Nimble is also available in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Amazon.

Thanks so much to the team at Nimble for these super helpful tips!

Love, Sophie & Team Mamamade x