Why Eco-friendly laundry matters 

Laundry is one of those “small” chores that happens all the time—so tiny inefficiencies repeat weekly. Apartment living adds extra friction: shared machines, limited drying space, and the temptation to do quick half-loads.

At Hamlet Laundry, we handle loads from London flats every day, and most avoidable waste comes from the same trio: hotter-than-needed washes, half loads, and detergent overdosing (which leads to residue, odour, and rewashes).

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s better defaults that fit real life.

The 10-minute sustainable laundry routine 

This checklist is written to be saved, screenshotted, and actually used.

Operator note (what we see in real life): The quickest way people accidentally become “unsustainable” is rewashing. And the #1 rewash trigger we see is too much detergent (it makes clothes feel stiff, smell “off,” or look cloudy—so they wash again).

Cold wash (or 30°C): the biggest win that doesn’t feel like sacrifice

Is washing clothes in cold water really effective?

For most everyday laundry: yes. The U.S. Department of Energy explicitly recommends washing in cold water with cold-water detergents whenever possible.

Why it’s such a big deal: water heating dominates washer energy use. ENERGY STAR notes that hot water heating can account for about 90% of the energy used in washing, which is why cold-water washing is such a powerful lever.

A practical temperature guide (apartment version)

Use this as a default decision tree—not a strict rulebook.

London context: Energy costs and small-space living make lower-temperature washing especially practical. UK guidance from Energy Saving Trust emphasises energy-saving behaviours such as using more efficient wash settings and lower temperatures where appropriate.

Detergent: the most common mistake (and the easiest fix)

Why “more detergent” backfires

Detergent isn’t like salt. You don’t add more to “make it work.” Too much detergent can:

• trap odours in residue
• make fabric feel waxy or stiff
• force extra rinsing (or trigger you to rewash)

A simple dosing rule that works

• Follow the label for your load size and water hardness
• If you’re in a hard-water area (parts of London are), overdosing is tempting—but correct dosing plus good airflow drying beats “more product”

How we do it at Hamlet Laundry (subtle transparency): We dose detergents consistently by load type and size because repeatable processes outperform guesswork. That one habit reduces rewashes more than almost anything else.

Microfibers: the hidden laundry pollution most people never hear about

If you wear polyester, nylon, acrylic, or blends, your clothes can shed tiny fibres in the wash. This isn’t just theory: recent research continues to measure and characterise microfiber release from real household washing activities.

The U.S. National Park Service has a practical explainer on laundry microplastics/microfibers, including steps households can take to reduce release.
And at a policy level, the U.S. EPA has published a federal plan that includes goals like prevention, capture, and public education around microfibers.

How to reduce microfibers from laundry (5 actions)

1. Wash less often when you can (especially outer layers)
2. Choose gentler cycles (less agitation can mean less shedding)
3. Wash full loads (better cushioning, less friction)
4. Avoid unnecessary high heat and harsh drying (fibre stress adds up)
5. Consider microfiber-capture options if you’re highly motivated (not mandatory; the habit changes above matter most)

Real-life framing: You don’t need a perfect setup to make progress here. If you simply switch to full loads + gentler cycles + less rewashing, you’re already moving the needle.

Drying sustainably in small spaces (London reality edition)

Drying is where city living gets tricky: no garden line, limited airflow, and London weather that often pushes you indoors.

The DOE’s guidance is simple and powerful: don’t over-dry and use moisture sensors if available.
The National Park Service also notes that dryer balls can improve airflow and reduce drying time, and reminds people to clean lint filters.

Apartment-friendly drying tactics that actually work

• High-spin first: it removes more water so drying takes less time
• Airflow beats heat: place a rack where air moves (near a window, doorway, or a fan—not against a radiator)
• Space garments out: crowding creates odour → rewashes
• Dry heavy items separately: towels and heavier cottons dry differently than lightweight clothing

Hamlet Laundry perspective: Overdrying is one of the fastest ways to shorten garment life (and it wastes energy). In practice, “just a bit more” dryer time is rarely necessary—it’s habit, not hygiene.

Shared laundry rooms: sustainable etiquette that saves rewashes

If you share machines, your biggest sustainability tool is… organisation.

Four habits that prevent waste

1. Combine loads when possible (fewer cycles)
2. Set a timer so loads don’t sit damp (damp = odour = rewash)
3. Bring measured detergent (avoid “free-pouring” from giant bottles)
4. If a dryer is used, clean lint screen (efficiency + safety)

If you’re in London: a realistic option when space or time is limited

Not every London flat can support a perfect laundry routine—especially if you’re juggling work, commuting, or a shared laundry room schedule.

In those situations, a shared, optimised setup (wash-and-fold, scheduled processing, and pickup/delivery) can be a practical solution—because it reduces the two big “waste multipliers” we see most often: rewashing and overdrying.

That’s the logic behind how we run loads at Hamlet Laundry Ltd in London: consistent dosing, efficient load planning, and careful drying so garments last longer and customers don’t need repeat cycles. (If you’re not in London, keep the routine above—those habits work anywhere.)

The Sustainable City Laundry Routine

If you only do five things, do these:

1. Wash in cold/cool water whenever you can
2. Run full loads (or match water level for small loads)
3. Measure detergent—more doesn’t mean cleaner (it often means rewashing)
4. Use high spin to shorten drying time

Don’t over-dry; clean lint filters if you use a dryer

People Also Ask

Is washing clothes in cold water really effective?

Yes, for most everyday loads. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends cold-water washing whenever possible, and ENERGY STAR notes water heating is typically the dominant energy cost—so cold washing is a major energy saver.

How can I reduce microfibers from laundry?

Wash less often, use gentler cycles, and run full loads. The National Park Service also suggests practical steps like energy-conserving drying habits and maintaining lint filters.

What’s the most eco-friendly way to dry clothes in an apartment?

Air-drying with good airflow is usually the lowest-energy approach. If using a dryer, don’t over-dry and clean the lint screen to keep efficiency high.

How much detergent should I use?

Use the amount recommended for your load size and water hardness. More detergent often causes residue and rewashing—wasting both detergent and energy.

How can I make laundry more sustainable without buying anything?

Switch to cold/cool washes, run full loads, measure detergent, use high spin, and avoid overdrying. Those are the highest-impact changes and they’re backed by mainstream energy guidance.

Final takeaway: sustainable laundry is a system, not a personality test

You don’t need a perfect eco setup. You need a few repeatable defaults:

• Cold/cool wash
• Full loads
• Measured detergent
• High spin
• Airflow drying
• Fewer rewashes

That’s what truly helps in real life—whether you’re in a London flat or anywhere else.

Ready to Make Laundry Effortless (and Greener) in London? 🌿🧺

If you live in London, you don’t have to choose between convenience and sustainability.

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd, we help busy city households simplify laundry while reducing unnecessary waste, rewashes, and energy use—using the same principles shared in this guide, applied at scale.

Why Londoners choose Hamlet Laundry

✔️ Pickup & delivery — no trips to shared laundry rooms
✔️ Wash & fold done right — consistent dosing, full loads, careful drying
✔️ Apartment-friendly service — ideal for small flats and busy schedules
✔️ Eco-conscious by default — smarter processes, not greenwashing
✔️ Time back in your week — laundry handled while you focus on life

We work with thousands of real household loads every month, which means:

• fewer repeat washes
• longer-lasting clothes
• and a more efficient way to handle laundry in a dense city like London

✨ If space, time, or shared machines make sustainable laundry difficult at home, Hamlet Laundry is a practical next step—not a compromise.

👉 Explore Hamlet Laundry’s pickup & delivery service in London and see how effortless laundry can be when it’s done properly.