Trying to be green but doing laundry less often?

Question

This link suggests you can go a minimum of 2 weeks use before washing jeans http://ten.com.au/ten/media/9am-fact_sheets-jeans_18.06.07.pdf

I have been washing my jeans after about 3-4 days wear which means washing 2-3 pairs of jeans every week or so.

I experimented with not washing a pair of jeans after 3 days wear, around the crotch area it smelt a bit but after airing them for a day or two the smell was gone.

I now have another pair which I have worn for just over a week again around the crotch area it now smells a bit, I`m going to try and air them in the airing cupboard to see if this smell dissapears again and if so I shall continue to wear them.

If airing works to remove smells then think of the energy I can save by not washing jeans so often. I will continue to wash my shirts becuase they attract BO.

Answer 1

Look at where doing laundry is not "being green":

(1) Quantity of water consumed.  Waiting to do a load of laundry until you have a full load saves water.

(2) Energy used to heat the water.  Washing in cold water is usually as effective as washing in warm or hot.  Pre-treat stains before the wash.

(3) Energy to run the dryer.  Clothes can be hung up to dry, either outside on clothslines or inside on drying racks.

So, you can wash your jeans when they need to be washed, and still be green.  Or at least greener.

Answer 2

All that's going green in this situation, is the green funk growing in Your jeans!

Answer 3

If there is a urine smell on your jeans, there is urine on your jeans.  That is very unhealthy and they need to be cleaned one way or another.

I, personally, make my own laundry soap.  It is easier than it seems. www.roguedecadence.vox.com is a blog of mine, and a recent post includes that recipe.  

You could even use a washing machine, just don't do the hot water.  The tip to still get clothes clean without HOT water is to let them soak for a bit after they do the swooshing but before it drains.

Next, no matter which way you wash them, you can hang them out to dry.  For some of us that can leave things stiff, but in my blog is also a really great fab softener recipe that is only baking soda, vinegar, and water.  Not as great as the commercial stuff, but better for you and your clothes (that c**p makes your clothing wear out faster).  Sometimes I will still fluff them in my dryer a bit afterwards.

And if you really want to be able to go a long time without washing, invest in a few more pairs.  I don't have many pairs of jeans anymore, seems my clothes are all falling apart at the same time, but since I don't go much of anywhere I will wear my pj pants, or my old about shredded jeans, or something like that around the house.  Who else will see me but my neighbors when I take my dog out to poo...lol.  But check your local thrift stores, or local freecycle group, or maybe even invest in a really good pair from that store that gives you sticker shock.  Have one or two, maybe 3, good pairs for going out stuffs, maybe, and then others for just working in the yard or whatnot...

But please wash when you smell urine!!!  

Being green is not about being that kinda dirty....lol

Answer 4

You can beat your clothes on a rock like the Indians used to do too if you really want to go back in the past!   But it would also work to soak them in a large container and wash by hand if you want.  Buy a laundry scrub board.

Buy a few more pairs of jeans or go to a Salvation Army thrift shop and pick up some good jeans for $1-3 pair.  With a few extra pairs of pants you can wash clothes once a week.  If you want to save energy you can hang the wet clothing up outside and let the sunshine dry them - just like your grandmother did when she was kid.  

If you wear looser clothes your crotch won't stink so much.  Also cotton not synthetics work better for underwear!

Happy washing!

Answer 5

I used to wear 3 piece business suits from George Zimmer at the Men's Warehouse!  My carbon footprint was huge what with all the dry cleaning, and so on.  NOW, I wear only an unwashed kilt, Doc Martins, and a bearskin.  I almost never do laundry.  The idea is to wear a minimum of clothing and then hardly ever wash it.  It works.

Answer 6

yes, but you also can check out this site about making your own laundry soap too. another great way to help the enviroment.

Answer 7

If you want to stretch out washing your jeans over a couple of weeks, wear a different pair of jeans every day.  By the time you get back to the first pair of jeans, it will have been airing out for 2 days.

Answer 8

Smoke a lil green and waste time not using energy to save the world smoke a lil reefa people sit back spark a spliff and save the fn world for ten min no reggie

Answer 9

i tried 'going green' and so purchased a lot more underwear and socks. now instead of washing them once a week I wash them once a fortnight.

Answer 10

I always use only half the dose of washing powder recommended on the box. This tip was given to me by a technician who came to mend my washing machine one time it was broken down. He told me that the recommended doses are just a ploy to sell more of their products. Also using too much powder rots the rubber parts around the door more easily. He was absolutely right. My washing is always impeccably clean and fresh and a box lasts for ages. I use the cheapest brand I can find at the shops and it's great. Most of the lesser brands are made by the known brands anyway. I also never use fabric softener. It's bad for the environnement, is expensive and is just another marketing ploy. Remember to use only a half load wash if you are washing a couple of items. you will save on water and powder. I would suggest that you just wash the crotch area of the jeans by hand if it needs refreshing and just hang up to dry. Putting them in the airing cupboard will make them more smelly IMO.

Answer 11

You can also hand wash clothing instead of putting them in the washing machine.

Answer 12

going  green sounds more an more unhealthy to me