Green considerations when doing your laundry

When it comes to the question of which washing machine -- top- loading or front loading -- is more environmentally friendly, the result is a virtual toss up.

Front-loading washing machines use 60 percent less water compared to the similar-capacity top-loading ones.

Since laundry in front-loading machines are spun on a horizontal axis, less water is needed as the clothes are tumbled from the top into the water below.

The smaller water consumption also translates into less detergent usage, protecting the water quality and lessening the impact on the environment.

On the other hand, since almost all front-loading machines are equipped with internal heaters to produce hot water, they consume more electricity than top-loading machines, which generally do not have such heaters.

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a United States- based environmental think-tank, heating water accounts for between 85 percent and 90 percent of the energy required to wash clothes. Thus, washing laundry with hot water could use up to 10 times more energy than a cold wash.

Front-loading machines generally have faster spin-cycles, leading to drier clothes, since up to 30 percent more water is extracted from them. This leads to energy savings in countries, such as the United States and Australia, where the use of separate electric dryers are common.

However, this extra benefit of front-loading machines is "useless" for most Indonesians for whom a traditional clothes- line is more than sufficient, as the country is powered by the hot and sweltering sun available all year long.

Here are some energy conserving tips for washing machines adapted from the Rocky Mountain Institute:

Load the washer to its capacity.

It is better to wash one big load every few days than a smaller load daily. However, do not overload as it will wear out the machine. If the dirty laundry can't wait for another day, adjust the setting to a lower water level.

Check the water plumbing regularly.

Insulate exposed pipes to minimize leakage. Also relieve the pressure on hoses by turning the water off at the faucets daily.

Choose the correct washing machine model.

Make a decision between a top-loading machine and a front- loading one based on the user's needs. Also don't forget to consider the proper capacity. A machine which capacity is too small for the household will mean more frequent washing.

Avoid using hot water.

Hot water is only necessary for really dirty laundry or to sterilize clothing from bacteria and viruses. In general, a cold wash is enough for most clothes. It is better to pre-treat and pre-soak heavily soiled clothing and use a warm wash, of around 50 Celsius degrees, to conserve energy.

Select cold water for the rinse cycle.

In a case when a hot water wash cannot be avoided, select the cold-water rinse. Cold water rinses work just as well as hot water and are gentler on the clothes.

-- The Jakarta Post/002