A few years ago, my partner and I made the switch from toxic laundry detergent, packaged in plastic, to healthy, sustainable sheets. Arriving in plastic-free packaging, these washer and dryer sheets were the sustainable swaps we never knew we needed. Personally, I prefer the Free & Clear unscented ones because my skin is super sensitive; but, Sheets Laundry Club also has Fresh Linen laundry sheets and an array of dryer sheet scents. Of those, the Lavender is heavenly!

Here are a few more recommendations for laundry days with less waste:

1. Sustainability starts at the store (online or in-person). When shopping, opt for natural fabrics over heavily processed ones like polyester, acrylic, and nylon. Avoid these materials as much as possible! Eco-friendly living is IN, so you won’t have trouble finding slow fashion that matches your style.

• According to an analysis for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), across the globe, we may be eating up to 5 grams of plastic – a credit card’s worth – each week. Why is that? Well, microplastic particles have made their way into our air, water, and food supply. When washing synthetic clothing, microfibers are released into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Consumed by aquatic organisms, these tiny plastic fragments can cause complications. They enter our food and, in turn, our bodies which can harm our health. Solid solution? The Guppyfriend Washing Bag.

• Just because you wear something, doesn’t mean it’s dirty. You heard that right! Did you spend most of the day indoors? No sweating, or stinking at least? When the day is done, do a smell check. If your clothes smell fresh, or at least neutral, they’re probably fine to wear again. Now, I’m not talking about after you’ve spilled something on it or mowed the lawn – that’s what the clothes hamper is for.

• Have you ever read the labels on your clothes? No, seriously! These tags exist for a reason. Typically, they’ll include recommended care instructions. Now, I know most people don’t take the time to hang-dry, but that process saves clothing from pilling and overall wear and tear. I use the shower and hooks in our bathrooms to hang-dry some stuff, but you might like to try a clothesline (which is much more efficient).

• Now, some items need to go in the dryer because of their tendency to wrinkle. Of course, you could always iron or steam the wrinkles out but I hardly have enough time to do the dishes. Basically, unless you’re drying blankets or rugs, use the delicate setting. If some items aren’t fully dry, fold the rest and run it again (set a timer to check halfway).

• Instead of using dryer sheets, which are single-use, try reusable dryer balls. There are a few different kinds: We have these plastic balls, but would recommend organic wool balls because they’re better for the Earth. A big pillar of sustainability is using what you already have, which is why we have yet to switch. Until our blue balls are all beat up, we’ll continue using them. Even then, I used non-toxic paint and a screwdriver to repurpose one into a chicken toy.

Thanks for taking the time to read my recommendations, as 39% of a garment’s environmental impact comes from washing, drying, and ironing. If you have any additional tips, I’d love to learn about your low-waste laundry routine in the comments!