Is it secondhand?
A secondhand washing machine? Yep! Buying a model that is energy efficient and secondhand gives you the power and water-saving benefits down the road, but you are also offsetting the footprint you would have gained from manufacturing and transporting a new machine.
Does it have certifications to back it up?
As always, you want to be on the lookout for greenwashing companies and have the certifications to back up their eco-friendly claims (this goes for dryers, too, by the way). When buying an eco-friendly washer and dryer, consider certifications like Energy Star. AAFA-certified washers also use steam to remove bacteria and dust mites from your clothing; this can be an excellent alternative for anyone with allergies and sensitivities to the toxins in laundry detergent.
What do reviewers say?
I always check the reviews before I buy anything these days. And when doing so, you must consider what is important to you. For example, when reviewing reviews of front-load washers (most eco-friendly washers are front-load), one of the most common complaints is that they tend to develop mildew and a smell faster than top-load agitator washers. While annoying, you can always use a green cleaner to clean your front-load washer and combat smells.
Does the company have transparent reporting?
Be on the lookout if the company you buy from has transparent reporting for their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. LG and Samsung are two examples of companies that sell efficient washing machines and are also on the reputable side for reporting carbon emissions.
Is it too big or too small?
Every eco-washing machine has a different width and drum capacity; larger drums use more water and energy with each load. If you have a large family and do laundry quite often, you might opt for a larger size. But stick to a smaller size if you are just one person, and you must fill up your washer to the top before running it.
Am I buying to buy?
As I mentioned, a considerable portion of washing machines’ environmental impact comes from the unit’s manufacturing and delivery. Remember, the second R in the nine Rs of Zero Waste is “refuse.” [The other eight include: rethink, reduce, reuse, renew, recycle, responsibility, replant and restore.] This means that even if you buy a new efficient washing machine, the energy and water savings you will gain might not make up for the emissions produced to get it to your home in the first place. So, with that in mind, only buy a new machine if your old one is beyond repair.
Will it need replacing soon?
I recommend checking out the manufacturer’s repair and warranty policies before you purchase an eco-washing machine. From an environmental standpoint, repairing something broken is always better than buying new ones! For context, a good-quality washing machine should last between seven and ten years.
What about dryers?
When shopping for an eco-friendly dryer, remember that 88 million dryers in the U.S. alone emit over a ton of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to approximately the emissions produced by driving a car for around 4,800 miles.
