If you’re looking for quick fixes when it comes to making your home greener, your laundry is a great place to start. We all use huge amounts of power, water and cleaning agents on laundry over the course of a year. But cutting down on these commodities is probably easier than you think.

By making a few changes to your laundry routines, you can save a lot of money while doing your little bit to save the planet.

1. Use eco-friendly detergents

There are certain chemicals in laundry detergents that can do great harm to natural environments. Phosphates, for instance, act as a fertiliser for wild water-based plants. These plants grow out of control when they have a regular supply of phosphates, blocking rivers and streams — and harming wildlife. Look for detergents that are biodegradable and free from phosphates. Some products also contain petroleum, so check the label before you buy.

2. Use homemade detergents

You don’t always need chemical-laden laundry detergents to achieve great results. There are a few homemade recipes that use only natural products — all of which are biodegradable. A mixture of washing soda, borax and handsoap should do the trick.

3. Wash clothes by hand

There are a few hand-powered gadgets around that make handwashing laundry a little easier, including laundry plungers and pedal washers. The obvious benefit associated with these tools is the absence of electricity. However, if you’re smart, you should be able to cut your water usage too. And when combined with a homemade detergent, manual washing can save you a small fortune.

4. Switch to an energy-efficient washing machine

Washing machines are more efficient than ever before, but there are specialised versions that are programmed to use a minimal amount of water. To cut the water you use for laundry by up to three quarters, switch to a water-efficient machine. Look for the Energy Star symbol on washing machines, and find out how many gallons of water are used on each cycle — an efficient product will use no more than 18 gallons.

5. Wear your clothes more than once

If you keep yourself clean, there’s no reason why you can’t wear certain items of clothing two or three times before washing them. Take extra care to keep your clothes clean, and always hang them up when you undress.

6. Make full use of your washing line

Mother Nature is the best tumble dryer you could ever wish for. Hanging clothes to dry outside keeps them fresh and smelling great, and it doesn’t have any impact on your home’s carbon footprint. If you don’t have a washing line, invest in a clothes horse and leave it by an open window.

7. Wash smarter

If you’re organised with your washing, you should never have to start a washing machine with anything less than a full load. Designate a basket for darks, lights, delicates etc, and make sure  you know when each basket has a full load (you’ll learn this through experience). Once you have a complete load, you can go ahead and start the cycle. It’s also a good idea to do the same with your dryer — just don’t overfill it.

8. Avoid dry cleaners

Many dry cleaning methods use a chemical called perchloroethylene, which can be hazardous to human health and the environment. Try to avoid dry clean only garments altogether. If you’re dealing with delicates such as wool and silk, remember that you can usually wash them safely by hand. If you really must take clothes to be dry cleaned, check which chemical is used. An increasing number of dry cleaning companies are switching to the more environmentally friendly liquid carbon dioxide.

If you can make your weekly laundry duties more green, you’re well on your way to making your entire home greener.