Your laundry room has loads of green potential. With a few simple swap-outs you can use less water, save energy and reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in your home. Read on to learn how to make doing laundry healthier for the whole household.

New Habits
Wash full loads
with cold water and line dry clothes and linens whenever possible. Resist the temptation to use more detergent than necessary; excess just ends up washed down the drain.

 New Products
Choose eco-friendly detergents and other products that are plant-based, biodegradable and concentrated. Oxygen bleach is a better bet than chlorine bleach. *We are fans of Ecover and Seventh Generation brands, which are widely available at health food stores and, now, many supermarkets.

New Washer
If you can (and haven't already), consider upgrading to an energy-efficient washer. An ENERGY STAR® certified washer saves thousands of gallons of water a year, plus it removes more water from each load­­—meaning your clothes spend less time in the dryer.

Photos: iStockPhoto.com