Carbon Saved by Turning Your Washing Machine Down to 30°
Modern detergents and washing machines means it is no longer necessary to wash at high temperatures, cleaning is just as good at lower temperatures. You can save 40% on energy consumption just by switching to a 30° wash.
Calculating CO2 saved by switching to 30°.
Energy of a normal washing cycle = 1.2 kWh
Using our grid electricity conversion factor of 0.527 kg CO2 per kWh
, this translates to CO2 outputs per cycle of:
1.2 x 0.527 = 0.63 kg CO2
Turning down to 30° saves 40% energy so:
Carbon saving = 0.4 x 0.63 = 0.25 kg CO2 per wash.
At 5 loads a week, or 260 per year, this would result in an annual saving of 65 kg CO2. As well as being better for the environment, washing at lower temperatures limits heat damage and may help your clothes last longer too.
Environmentally-friendly detergents
Washing detergents contain harmful chemicals that end up polluting rivers and seas, and some can even make their way into the food chain via contaminated seafood.
Fragrances and enzymes in washing powders can also be skin irritants so there are good reasons to try out non-toxic alternatives instead. Here are some places you might find them.
Ecover
http://www.ecover.com/gb/en/Products/Laundry/New+Laundry+Products.htm 
Ecotopia.co.uk - UK delivery
http://ecotopia.co.uk/index.jsp?searchStr=washing+powder 
Spirit of Nature
http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/laundry.html]
Aquaballs
http://www.aquaball.com/aquaball-products.htm
Available for sale from http://www.ecohip.net/section.php/7/1/household
EcoBalls - washing without detergents
http://www.yourtomorrow.co.uk/product/28/eco_ball_detergent_replacement_ecoballs_eco-friendly_wash_balls.php#description
http://www.ecoballsdirect.co.uk/
Ecohip
http://www.ecohip.net/section.php/7/1/household
Dolly Washer balls - can help to reduce need for detergent by 75%
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!21371
