2008 Woodie Awards
Going Green: Help save the planet while doing laundry
Brandon Drescher
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Opinion
Stepping away from politics for a while, I'd like to inform the student body about washers and dryers since we all have to wash and dry- at least I hope- our clothes sometime during the month.
The Sierra Environmental Club Web site offers a quiz or two every so often to see how green you really are and suggest ways you can improve so you can become more environmentally friendly. Currently there is a quiz regarding washing and drying your clothes.
Energy Star qualified appliances are found more and more in every major appliance store, including Best Buy, Home Depot, etc. These washers use at least 40 percent less energy than standard washers and almost half the water. These results are determined by the MEF, Modified Energy Factor.
Energy Star qualified washers may be a bit more pricey, but as with most eco-friendly appliances and improvements it turns out to be a huge advantage with energy and money savings and environmental protection.
Dryers are a different story. They are not Energy Star rated due to the fact there is a little variation in energy usage between models.
Air drying, however, is always a good idea especially if you live in the country with a breeze you can always count on. You will save money on your energy bills by not using the dryer, and air drying your clothes is generally easier on fabrics because over-drying breaks them down.
If you use a laundromat, which I know much of the sorority housing have at the moment, they generally use energy-efficient washers to make the most of their profits. In general, I do not know if the university uses energy-efficient washers in the dorms, but the last time I lived in a dorm I doubted that fact.
Unless you go out every single day and roll around in the mud, you really don't have to wash all your clothes after every single use. Jeans and certain shirts, especially hoodies and long-sleeved shirts worn during winter, do not have to be washed after every use. We usually don't sweat enough in the winter time in order for our clothes to qualify for washing. But please, wash your underwear and other such intimate articles because that is just gross!
The Sierra Environmental Club Web site offers a quiz or two every so often to see how green you really are and suggest ways you can improve so you can become more environmentally friendly. Currently there is a quiz regarding washing and drying your clothes.
Energy Star qualified appliances are found more and more in every major appliance store, including Best Buy, Home Depot, etc. These washers use at least 40 percent less energy than standard washers and almost half the water. These results are determined by the MEF, Modified Energy Factor.
Energy Star qualified washers may be a bit more pricey, but as with most eco-friendly appliances and improvements it turns out to be a huge advantage with energy and money savings and environmental protection.
Dryers are a different story. They are not Energy Star rated due to the fact there is a little variation in energy usage between models.
Air drying, however, is always a good idea especially if you live in the country with a breeze you can always count on. You will save money on your energy bills by not using the dryer, and air drying your clothes is generally easier on fabrics because over-drying breaks them down.
If you use a laundromat, which I know much of the sorority housing have at the moment, they generally use energy-efficient washers to make the most of their profits. In general, I do not know if the university uses energy-efficient washers in the dorms, but the last time I lived in a dorm I doubted that fact.
Unless you go out every single day and roll around in the mud, you really don't have to wash all your clothes after every single use. Jeans and certain shirts, especially hoodies and long-sleeved shirts worn during winter, do not have to be washed after every use. We usually don't sweat enough in the winter time in order for our clothes to qualify for washing. But please, wash your underwear and other such intimate articles because that is just gross!
The Student Printz does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. For the article comment guidelines, click here.
Comments below posted after February 8, 2007, are from registered users only. To have your comment appear you must have your name verified and activated. To do so, you must register. To register, click here.
Be the first to comment on this story