Wash Smarter: How to Do Laundry and Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Reducing the environmental impact of our clothes doesn’t have to mean making drastic changes. In fact, a few simple tweaks to how we do our laundry can have a big effect – both on the planet and on the lifespan of our favourite garments. The latest report from Electrolux Group, The Truth About Laundry 2024, reveals how washing at lower temperatures and using shorter cycles can extend clothing life by more than 50%.

Why your laundry habits matter

The fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global CO₂ emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. But it's not just how clothes are made – how we care for them at home is also a major contributor to their environmental footprint.

The average European throws away over 6.5 kg of clothes each year, much of it prematurely. Smarter laundry habits can help clothes last longer, reduce waste and lower emissions.

Five simple ways to make laundry more sustainable:

1. Think before you wash

Before tossing a top into the wash, ask yourself: does it really need cleaning? Often, simply airing it out or spot-cleaning a stain with a damp cloth and mild detergent is enough. Overwashing wears clothes out faster.

2. Lower the temperature

Washing at 30°C instead of 40°C can increase a garment’s lifespan by over 50%, according to Electrolux’s research. It also saves energy and reduces your household’s carbon footprint. Even a small drop in temperature makes a difference.

3. Choose shorter cycles

Shorter wash cycles are gentler on fabrics. A 59-minute cycle at 30°C is significantly kinder than a two-hour wash at 40°C. Yet only 12% of people are aware that cycle length affects clothing durability. Shorter cycles also consume less energy – a win-win.

4. Get to know your machine

Many people use the default cotton 40°C setting without realising it can be changed. Nearly a third of people don’t know this. Check your machine’s options – newer models often have eco settings as standard. Features like Electrolux’s UltraQuick programme remove common stains in under an hour at lower temperatures, while saving energy and water.

5. Refresh, don’t always wash

Steam functions can freshen up clothes in 25 minutes using up to 96% less water than a normal wash. They help remove odours, reduce creasing and preserve garments that don’t need a full wash. This is particularly useful for items like jeans, t-shirts and blouses that can often be worn multiple times between washes.

Why aren’t we doing this already?

Old habits die hard. Many people still believe 30°C won’t get clothes clean enough – even though modern detergents and machines are designed to perform well at lower temperatures. In fact, Electrolux’s study found that most people are satisfied with 30°C washes, but stick to 40°C out of habit or uncertainty about stain removal.