How to make laundry tasks more enviroment friendly

Make laundry tasks environmentally friendly.

Many liquid laundry detergent containers -- as well as dishwashing detergent containers -- are smaller than they used to be. These "ultra" detergents are concentrated, so they come in smaller packages, yet offer the same cleaning power as similar products in larger packages.

The new packaging offers benefits to consumers and the environment.

* Smaller bottles use less plastic, which means less packaging to recycle or dispose of and less impact on the environment.

* Manufacturers use less water in product formulation which means reduced use of this natural resource.

* Smaller containers mean that less fuel is needed to ship the products to retailers, helping control greenhouse gases and other emissions.

* Smaller, lighter containers are easier to carry and store at home.

* With concentrated detergents, consumers can still clean the same number of loads as they did before.

To get the most value out of concentrated products, be sure to use the right amount of detergent -- less than you would have used before. Follow label instructions and use the measuring cap or scoop that comes with the product.

Doing the laundry in environmentally friendly ways is not only good for the planet -- it's good for the wallet too. Follow these washing and drying tips

* Always pretreat or presoak stains and heavy soils before washing to get the best stain removal without using extra hot water or rewashing.

* A full load is the most energy-efficient use of your washing machine. If that's not practical, adjust the water level to correspond to the size of the load.

* Heavily soiled loads or hard water may require slightly more than the recommended amount of detergent. Slightly less than the recommended amount can be used in soft water or for lightly soiled loads. But be sure to measure -- don't guess.

* Heating water eats up energy, so, whenever possible, switch to the warm -- or, even better, the cold setting. Rinse all loads in cold water.

* If you're in the market for a new washing machine, high efficiency (HE) washers are designed to provide major savings when compared to traditional agitator machines.

High efficiency machines use 20 percent to 66 percent less water and 20 percent to 50 percent less energy. They also extract more water from the clothes, which reduces drying time.

Unlike traditional agitator washers, most HE washers use a "tumbler" system with no agitator. For best cleaning performance, use only HE detergents in an HE washing machine. They're formulated to be low-sudsing and quick-dispersing.

High efficiency dryers also provide energy savings, so if you're in the market for new laundry equipment, consider the HE models. Initial cost will be more, but they may pay for themselves over time in energy savings.

* When drying clothes, do full loads. Just don't overdo it -- air must be able to circulate around the clothes.

* Drying two loads (or more) in a row will cut down on individual drying time.

* Be sure to clean the lint filter before each load, both for quicker drying and for reduced fire hazard.

Editor's Note: Ann Ludlum is a K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720 or aludlum@ksu.edu