Green Cleaning

Nothing could be more of a basic responsibility, either in our theaters or in our homes, than laundry. So it makes sense to start to look at how we are doing our laundry and make those changes that will contribute to the health of the planet.

• Only wash full loads of laundry, using as little water as possible. Since up to 90% of the energy used for washing clothes goes to heating the water, use the cold water cycle for all wash-loads, except heavily soiled household loads.
• Use highly concentrated detergent to minimize the amount of chemicals entering our environment. And use only the manufacturer recommended dose of detergent. Conventional detergents are made from synthetic petrochemicals that are hard on the environment. They also can leave residue on clothing, so their toxic ingredients constantly brush against our skin, potentially causing rashes. You can safely keep your clothes looking good by washing them with green soaps and detergents. For a list of ‘green’ laundry and cleaning products contact the Local office.
• If you choose soaps, look for an all-natural liquid soap made without artificial dyes or fragrances, such as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (760/743-2211, www.drbronner.com). Use the same amount of soap as you would detergent. If you are interested in making the switch from detergent to soap or other environmental changes check out the book, Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three River’s Press, 1999).
• Recycle your detergent bottles, rather than throwing them in the trash. If your workplace doesn’t already have a recycling program, work with your steward or House Head to get one going.
• Instead of dryer sheets try use an aluminum foil ball in the dryer; or 1/2 to 1 cp of vinegar in the rinse cycle, or separate your synthetics and cottons when drying.
• Separate towels and heavier cottons from lighter-weight clothes before drying to minimize dry times.
• Immediately remove clothes from the dryer to reduce the need for ironing clothes. This not only saves you time, but saves energy too.