The Environmental Impact of One Load of Laundry

Most of us think of laundry as a simple household chore. Load the machine, add your detergent and press start.  

But behind every load is a bigger environmental impact that daily life lets us forget about. Litres of water used, energy used, plastic laundry detergent bottles discarded and sent to landfill.  

According to the Guardian, one standard load of laundry uses about 41 gallons of water and releases roughly 0.6 to 3.3 kg of carbon emissions, plus up to 700,000 microscopic plastic fibres into water systems. 

So, the big question is, what happens when we multiply the impact of one family’s laundry by millions of households across the UK? 

Multiply that by UK households washing every day… and the numbers become much larger. 

Yearly water use, it adds up quicker than you think 

Most of us don't think twice about the water used for a single wash. But over the course of a year, those litres quickly add up. We’ve put together a quick infographic to show you just how much water you might use in a year on laundry alone. 

More on the yearly energy use 

You’ve probably not given much thought to how much energy is used per one load of washing. One wash uses anywhere around 0.3–1.5 kWh energy. That’s equivalent to around 3–15 kettle boils or 2–10 km of driving an electric car.  

These equivalents might put things in perspective for you and might make you rethink putting on a half empty laundry load. 

Small change that will help make a difference 

The good news is that reducing your laundry footprint doesn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul. A few simple changes can help you protect the planet and even save some money in the process. 

Wash at 30°C 

Lower temperature washes use significantly less energy than hotter cycles while still cleaning everyday clothes effectively. Opt for colder wash cycles where possible. 

Wait for a Full Load 

Running fewer, fuller washes helps reduce both water and energy use. 

Skip Unnecessary Washes 

Not every item needs washing after one wear. Washing clothes only when needed helps extend garment life while reducing resource consumption. 

Choose Longer-Lasting Laundry Products 

Reducing single-use packaging and buying products designed to last longer helps cut waste over time. Our Laundry Eggs are designed to last, they’re refillable and reusable and help cut down on single use plastic waste.  

Air Dry Where Possible 

Using a clothes airer or washing line instead of a tumble dryer can significantly reduce household energy use. If you need to use the tumble drier, our Dryer Balls are designed to reduce drying times by up to 28% so you can still save on energy. 

How we can help reduce the impact 

At ecoegg, we believe small changes made by millions of households can create a meaningful difference. 

Our Laundry Detergent Egg has been designed to give the required dose per wash and help reduce waste while delivering effective cleaning performance. So why make the switch? Find out below. 

Less Plastic Packaging 

Unlike traditional detergents that require regular replacement bottles, our Laundry Egg is reusable. Simply refill the detergent pellets instead of replacing the entire product. 

Long-Lasting Performance 

Each refill lasts for up to 70 washes, then simply purchase a refill and use our Laundry Egg again and again. Better yet, our Laundry Egg comes with a 10-year guarantee meaning if anything happens to your Egg Case, we’ll replace it free of charge. Don’t forget to register your Egg here. 

Reduced Waste 

By cutting down on single-use detergent packaging, households can help reduce the amount of plastic entering the waste stream. 

Gentle Cleaning 

The ecoegg Laundry Detergent Egg provides effective everyday cleaning without the need for traditional liquid or powder detergents and is suitable for those looking for a kinder laundry routine.