Issues > May/June 2007 (#120) > Virtuous Cycles

Virtuous Cycles

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Even so, line drying laundry isn't always practical. To tread lightly, and dryly, opt for a dryer with more efficient settings, such as a moisture sensor, which shuts the dryer off automatically when fabrics are dry, and an air-dry feature, which dries your clothes with cold air, cutting down on energy use and wrinkles. Also, set your washer on the fastest spin cycle—front-loading washers have the advantage of faster spin times—reducing the water in your clothes beforehand. Energy Star doesn't yet rate dryers, but Consumer Reports has found that gas dryers are cheaper to run and have a lighter eco impact.

To protect your health, avoid dryer sheets, which may be treated with the same harmful chemicals as those in liquid fabric softeners. These sheets and similar reusable cloths are also made from synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals that don't biodegrade in landfills. Some companies have introduced reusable products that will soften clothes and eliminate static cling; among the most advertised are dryer balls made from polyvinyl chloride, which releases carcinogenic dioxin during production and may release hormone-disrupting phthalates during use. Instead, reduce static cling by drying natural fibers and synthetics separately, or add one-fourth of a cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle.

One Last Wrinkle

Irons can consume up to 1,800 watts of energy, and if used for two hours, one iron emits 4.8 pounds of carbon dioxide. Line drying clothes, air drying with cold air or removing them from the dryer immediately will keep wrinkles to a minimum.

Furthermore, irons and ironing-board covers may be treated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to prevent sticking and stains. Also used on clothes that claim to be stain- and wrinkle-repellent, PFOA is a persistent chemical that has been detected in the blood of virtually all Americans (see www.thegreenguide.com/blog/worrywart/386). It was found in 2004 to cause cancer in lab animals, and while DuPont, the only manufacturer of PFOA in the U.S., disputed those findings, the company agreed to eliminate the chemical by 2015.

To prevent your cleaning chores from getting too dirty, choose the alternative laundry products listed in our checklist (above). And if you're inspired to return to simpler times, that bucket and washing board are still worthy options. Plus, spring's warmer weather freshens up line-dried clothes better than any chemical.

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