Allie’s Answers

According to lowimpactliving.com, your washer and dryer most likely use more resources than any other appliance in your house. In a year, your washer and dryer will produce as much carbon dioxide as you would if you drove your car across the country.

When it comes to choosing a new washing machine, Energy Star ratings are key:

• Through superior design and system features, ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers.
• Most full-sized ENERGY STAR qualified washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine.

Consider efficiency into the cost of the washing machine. A more expensive machine may cost less in the long run. Upgrading your washer alone can save you up to $110 a year in energy costs.

Energy Star doesn’t rate dryers, because most are similar in energy use. Look for a dryer that uses a moisture sensor to shut off automatically when clothes are dry.

Not ready to upgrade but still want to make a difference? Make sure you wash full loads of laundry, setting the dial for the size of the load accordingly. And get an appliance repair professional to clean your dryer. Over time, it clogs with lint and will make your dryer less efficient.

Thanks, Anne!

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.

Since 1982, Paul Newman has given over $200 million to charities all over the world through his Newman’s Own brands. So, eat cookies for a cause!

Newman-O’s come in Original, Ginger Creme, Hint ‘O Mint, Chocolate, and Wheat-Free. The original flavor looks, smells, and tastes an awful lot like a certain cookie we’ve all known and loved, but they’re organic, made with non-hydrogenated oils, and don’t contain trans-fatty acids. Plus, the chocolate is purchased from small farmers, and is certified to be forced-labor free.

All the division’s chocolate products include organic cacao that comes from small farmers in the Talamanca region on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica and Panama. Some of these farms provide important buffer zones for the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, a habitat for endangered mammal and bird species. “Growing the cacao in the ancient way means that no rainforests need be destroyed,” says Nell. “We encourage this method by supporting the farmers economically.”

Don’t forget a big glass of organic milk!

Another Eco-Friendly Food from Allie.

Treehugger has a great list of water saving tips. As the owner of a very dirty car, I was particularly interested in this one:

Wash your car on the lawn instead of the driveway. The water will help the grass, but don’t forget to use eco-friendly car wash.

Stumped on what to use for an eco-friendly car wash? Try using a gentle, biodegradable dish soap. When I wash my car this weekend, I’ll probably use warm water and Ecover’s Herbal Dishwashing Liquid.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.