above the flashpoint for
some essential oils,” says
Michael Papeo, captain
of public education,
East Command, for
Toronto Fire Services.5
If your towels are
musty, add a cup of
white vinegar or a cup
of baking soda to your
wash load (but not both
at once).6
Your fleece jacket
made from recycled
bottles likely contains
microfibres—pollutants
that account for 35 per
cent of microplastics
in the world’s oceans.
“With every wash, your
garments are shedding
microfibres that end
up in waterways and
eventually in the food
chain,” says Coulter.
Special fibre-trapping
bags can help keep
them out of the drain.7
Instead of using
chlorine bleach, dis-
infect your clothes by line
drying. Sunlight’s ultra-
violet rays are effective
at killing bacteria in fab-
rics. Bonus: they’re free.8
Using more deter-
gent won’t make
clothes cleaner. Over
time, excess detergent
can build up and cause
smelly residue inside
your machine. Use the
least amount of deter-
gent possible—start
with half the recom-
mended amount, and if
your clothes still come
out clean, you can try
reducing even further.9
Lint buildup in the
filter and vents is a
primary cause of the
dozens of fires started
by dryers every year in
Toronto, says Papeo.
“Empty your lint tray
before every load and
vacuum the filter and
inside the trap from
time to time.”10
The real “sock
monster” respon-
sible for your missing
hosiery? Your washing
machine. Small items
can slip past the rubber
gasket on a front-loading
washer, and get trapped
underneath the drum.
If you’re suspicious, get
a pro to investigate, andwash all your socks in
a mesh bag to prevent
disappearances.11
There’s no getting
around washing
jeans. Some people
swear that storing their
denim in the freezer
kills germs, but that’s
a myth—the bacteria
only go dormant.12
Up to 75 per cent
of the energy used
for washing clothes
goes toward heating the
water. Your clothes will
get just as clean in a
cold-water wash and
they’ll last longer—
lower temperatures
preserve dyes and
reduce shrinkage.13
Switching to a
high-efficiency,
Energy Star–certified
machine not only saves
you up to 25 per cent
on your hydro bills, it’s
better for the planet.
On an annual basis, a
full-sized Energy Star
machine can save more
than 7,500 litres of
water compared to old-
school washers.rd.ca 17