The Challenge: Lower your laundry water temperature by one setting.
This one small tweak in your laundry routine can help reduce your carbon footprint, lower your energy bills, and even make your clothes last longer. It’s a simple way to support Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, which urges action on reducing climate-related impacts starting right at home.
Why It Matters
Laundry is one of the biggest energy users in the home, mostly due to water heating. But there’s no need to crank up the heat—modern detergents and machines are designed to work well at lower temperatures.
Here’s why turning down the temp helps:
- Heating water accounts for up to 90% of a washing machine’s energy use.
- Dropping your wash temperature from 60°C to 30°C can reduce energy use by up to 40%.
- Lower temperatures are gentler on fabrics, meaning your clothes last longer and you throw away less.
- If everyone made this switch, it could save enough electricity globally to power millions of homes each year.
One Small Action You Can Take
- Start by reducing your wash from hot to warm, or warm to cold, depending on what you normally use.
- Only use hot water when necessary—for example, for heavily soiled items.
- Use laundry detergents labeled for effective cold or low-temp washing.
This small action is easy to adopt and pays off quickly—for the planet and your wardrobe.
Why This Supports SDG 13
Every bit of energy saved at home means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from power generation. Reducing wash temperatures lowers energy demand and helps fight climate change, directly supporting SDG 13’s call for urgent, everyday climate action.
Take the Challenge
Next time you do laundry, turn the temperature dial down just one notch. Make it your new default for the week. Less heat, more impact—and longer life for your clothes, too.