Putting a green spin on laundry

We're all striving to be a little kinder to the planet, and our laundry habits are no exception. From the detergents and appliances we choose to the spaces we use them in, doing laundry not only takes up a huge chunk of our time but also uses up many of the environment's resources we are trying so hard to conserve.

That being said, why not give your laundry routine a "green" makeover? Here, design and laundry experts offer their best tips and advice, and there are recommendations for products that aim to help make the laundry routine more earth friendly.

WASHERS AND DRYERS

Of course, at the heart of any laundry room is the equipment within it. In 2005, when front-loaders began to receive Energy Star approval, there was no turning back. Since then, front-loading, high-efficiency washing machines have taken their place as the reigning kings of home laundry care.

Not only are they easier to use - many prefer the ease of putting in and taking out laundry from a front-loading machine rather than top loading - but their design significantly reduces water and energy use.

"High-efficiency machines only require a low level of water so clothes move through a concentrated solution of water and detergent to dislodge soil and stains," says Monica Teague, senior public relations manager for Whirlpool. "Front-loading machines alternate the wash motion of the clothes back and forth in a repetitive motion, tumbling clothes clockwise and counterclockwise for a more efficient and gentle cleaning cycle.

Kenmore Elite Front-Load Washing Machine and Electric Steam Dryer, $1,370 and $1,350, sears.com/kenmore

Compared with a deep-fill washer manufactured before 2004, a Kenmore Elite FL washer can save up to $144 a year in water and energy. Most Kenmore models include Smart Motion technology, which means, based on the cycle selected, the washer can move its drum in six different motions to properly wash the fabrics being washed - another way to reduce waste and save money.

Miele Super Large Capacity Washing Machine, $1,699 and up, miele.com

A large-capacity washer, such as this Energy Star-rated one, will do more loads in less time and clean big, bulky items such as comforters, curtains and rugs. Plus, Miele's stainless- steel patented Honeycomb wash drum improves cleaning performance and reduces fabric wear and tear, extending the life of clothes.

Maytag Bravos Top Load Washer ($579) and Dryer ($629), maytag.com

The washer's Deep Clean option thoroughly dissolves detergent to aid cleaning by using extra agitation and extra rinsing. The process does take longer. But the IntelliFill sensor is supposed to regulate the amount of water used. The dryer's IntelliDry sensor monitors moisture as clothes tumble to minimize the risk of overdrying and shrinkage, which also minimizes energy use.

Whirlpool Duet Steam Washer ($1,299) and Dryer ($1,299), whirlpool.com

With a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet and the ability to wash up to 18 pairs of jeans in a single load, the Duet Steam washer garners one of the most efficient energy ratings available - CEE Tier III. Certain wash cycles have the added power of steam to wipe out stains and remove up to 95 percent of allergens, including dust mites and pet dander. The Duet dryer offers an Eco cycle, which uses 40 percent less energy than a conventional dryer's normal cycle.

Amana Tandem Front-Load Washer and Dryer, $649 each, amana.com

The Amana Tandem pair uses 73 percent less water and 76 percent less energy compared to conventional top-load washers. This can drop a consumer's energy bill by as much as $100 each year, saving $1,000 in utility costs over the product's life span. Plus, with features like Touch and Go controls, this duo makes use of new technology to help cut down on the amount of time it actually takes to do laundry.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM

The laundry room is so often a dark, dank area when it really should be a healthy, pleasant space that inspires rather than hinders the task at hand. After all, shouldn't your clothes be cleaned in, well, a clean environment?

"Having a window with a view to nature and the outdoors can make a world of difference," says Joan Stigliano, a Locust Valley interior planner and a member of the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. If you don't have access to a window, bring the outdoors in by placing houseplants in the laundry room, which not only give you the feeling of being outside but also emit oxygen.

There are many options for materials, whether you're planning a large-scale makeover or simply freshening up the space you've got. Stigliano suggests recycled cork tiles as a smart flooring alternative. "They're durable and comfortable, too," she says. Home Depot carries the flooring from about $2.99 a square foot and up.

Frank Fontana, a Massapequa native and the lead designer and host of HGTV's "Design on a Dime," devotes a chapter on how to incorporate green choices in his upcoming book, "Frank Fontana's Dirty Little Secrets of Design" (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, $24.95).

"For counters, I am a big fan of faux concrete finishes, which are so easy to apply over existing ones, and also something called IceStone [icestone.biz], which is made from 100 percent recycled glass, mixed with cement," he says. "It's durable and available in beautiful colors."

It can run between $80 and $160 a square foot. For a more affordable option, think about bamboo ($45 a square foot and up) or tile produced from recycled materials or made locally (that needs less natural resources for transport). All are available in a variety of prices to match all budgets.

Stigliano recommends using a low-flow faucet for wash sinks and choosing motion-triggered light sensors for those late laundry nights when you might fall asleep before taking out a load and turning off the lights.

And if using a dryer is not for you, you're not alone. Fontana prefers a clothesline for his laundry, which can reduce your carbon output by 700 pounds over six months. "Drying racks are another cool eco option to have in your laundry room, too," he says. "And, I have to say, the occasional over-the-door option works for me, too."

KINDER, GENTLER DETERGENTS

Tide Ultra HE (High-Efficiency) Detergent for Coldwater, 50 to 150 ounces, prices vary, tide.com

High-efficiency, front-loading washing machines call for high-efficiency detergents. Tide's phosphate-free Ultra HE Detergent for Coldwater is supposed to work with the cold water cycle to get clothes clean for 50 percent less energy. How so? The energy used for three washes in cold water is equivalent to what you would use for only one wash using hot water. While a high-efficiency detergent is specifically made to work with a high-efficiency washer's technology, you can use it with older models as well. It is a good idea to use less detergent in this case, as the formula is highly concentrated.

Method Laundry Detergent with Smartclean Technology, $8.49 for 10 ounces (25 loads); $15.49 for 20 ounces (50 loads), methodhome.com

A new, ultra-concentrated phosphate-free detergent, Method's latest formula is 95 percent plant-based and takes only four pumps to wash one load. Plus, since it's made with less water, its carbon footprint is 35 percent smaller compared to standard ultra-concentrated detergent. New moms will love the Sweet Pea-scented fragrance, which is fortified with an enzyme package to conquer baby and toddler stains.

Seventh Generation Natural Powdered Laundry Detergent, $6.99 for 48 ounces or $12.99 for 112 ounces, seventhgeneration.com

Safe for standard and high-efficiency machines and free of phosphates, optical brighteners and chlorine bleach, Seventh Generations' Natural Powdered Laundry Detergent is a gentle alternative to liquid detergents. And, it's available in a White Flower and Bergamot Citrus scent or Free and Clear.

TIPS FROM THE PROS

Looking for more ways to "green your laundry"? We asked green experts for tips.

1. Always wash full loads - it can save you up to 3,400 gallons of water annually.

2. Never overload your washer. Clothes come out cleaner and less wrinkled when given room to move freely.

3. Use cold water for rinsing. Warm and hot water require more energy for heating.

4. Wash and dry similar fabric types together. This ensures even drying and reduces the amount of drying time needed.

5. Dry full loads, but don't overload the dryer. Air circulation is important for proper drying. Also, dry a few loads in succession to take advantage of leftover heat in the dryer.

6. Use moisture-sensing settings to avoid overdrying, which wastes energy and can cause clothing to shrink.

7. Clean the dryer lint filter after each load to maintain proper air circulation and heating.

8. Keep the dryer's outside exhaust clean. A clogged exhaust lengthens drying time and could be a fire hazard.

WHAT'S YOUR WATER FOOTPRINT?

By now,  many people are familiar with online calculators that determine a person's carbon footprint - the amount of CO2 gases he or she is responsible for emitting into the atmosphere. But did you know you can also calculate your water footprint?

The amount of water consumed is as important to the future as the amount of energy wasted. The water footprint extends well beyond the water people drink (coffee and tea included) and use to brush teeth; it includes the water that's not necessarily seen, such as when washing a load of clothes. Miele estimates that the average American household uses 15,000 gallons of water in one year on laundry alone.

Curious what your water footprint might be? Use the water footprint calculator at gwww.waterfootprint.org to help you figure out ways to reduce your water use.