Laundry day isn’t exactly fun for most people, but it can be downright unpleasant for the Earth.

Detergents and dryer sheets can release chemicals into water that has to be treated, and washing clothes can release microplastics that are accumulating in the world’s waterways at alarming rates.

“You do have to wash your clothes, but you can do a very good job of minimizing the impact,” says Jonathan Gilligan, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at Vanderbilt University who has studied the effects of individual actions on greenhouse gas emissions.

Although one consumer’s decision to switch to a more efficient washer isn’t going to counter the cumulative effects of major industries on its own, he says “it can have an effect.” Individual actions add up.

Here are expert-backed strategies to tweak laundry day to be greener – and less of a chore.

Choose efficient machines

The machines you use have a significant effect on the amount of energy and water you save – or waste – on laundry day, experts say. Older appliances can rack up high utility bills, while newer, high-efficiency washers use less water and energy with lower temperatures and higher spin speeds.

In most cases, front-loading washers will be more efficient than top-loading ones, because the drum’s position can create a faster spin cycle.

“If the washer is able to wring out most of the water from the clothes, then the dryer is going to have significantly less work to do,” which saves energy, says Jessica Petrino, editorial director of AJ Madison, a home and kitchen appliances store based in New York City.

Clothes should come out of the washer damp, not soaked. According to Petrino, front-loaders with about 1 200 revolutions per minute (RPM) or more are considered to be high-efficiency.

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Many dryers now have moisture sensors that help detect water on clothes. Heat pump dryers, which are popular in Europe, are another option; they use less energy than standard models by recirculating air within the drum, which conserves energy. Petrino says they aren’t popular in the United States, because US appliances generally are much larger than European ones, but she predicts that the technology will be adapted in the next decade.

In many cases, it makes more sense economically and environmentally to upgrade machines that are more than 10 years old, experts say.

And remember: A clean machine is an efficient machine. Run white vinegar through a cleaning cycle to clear out product residue and bacteria when it gets stinky. Once or twice a year, clean the dryer duct and the washer’s drain pump. And empty the dryer’s lint trap before every load.

Rethink your laundry habits

Even the most efficient machine will still waste water and electricity if you don’t know how to operate it properly, Maker says. Auto cycles can add too much water or heat. Read the instruction manual; unless something is really soiled, a basic cold- or warm-water cycle is sufficient to clean in combination with a high-efficiency machine and detergent.

Avoiding the dryer altogether is one of the biggest energy-saving switches you could make, and it could help clothes last longer. The dryer “adds abrasion, and there’s no real way to avoid that, even if you turn down the heat,” says Patric Richardson, author of “Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore.“

Air-drying outside on a dry, sunny day using a rack or clothesline is ideal; don’t set up the rack in an area with debris, dust or excessive humidity. If wrinkles are an issue, Richardson recommends line-drying, then putting clothes in the dryer for a quick air cycle.

Air-drying outside on a dry, sunny day using a rack or clothesline is ideal. Picture: mali maeder/Pexels

Stretch the time between washes by rewearing clothes and reusing towels, which is gentler on fabrics and can help clothes last longer. Avoid small loads, but don’t crowd a machine, which can make it work harder. And take a look at the amount of detergent you’re using.

“Americans are obsessed with washing things, and using a lot of soap is how we’re trained,” says Petrino, who suggests two to three tablespoons for detergents intended for high-efficiency machines. Excess detergent will be harder to rinse out, leaving clothes with a crunchy feeling and extending washing and drying times.

Last, think about your clothes themselves. Julie Masura, who teaches environmental science at the University of Washington at Tacoma and studies marine microplastics in Puget Sound, suggests wearing natural materials to prevent microplastics from being carried out through wastewater; loose-weave clothing, cut edges with frays and fabrics that ball up are most likely to shed, she wrote in an email.

Read up on green products

Companies large and small have met consumer demand for products formulated without harsh chemicals – some of which studies have linked to adverse health outcomes – and synthetics that can be harmful to waterways. And many of them do well in rigorous performance and cleaning tests, says Carolyn Forte, who has tested many cleaning products as director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s home appliances and cleaning products lab.

“Overall, they’re getting better as more of the big brands who have research dollars behind them do ingredient investigations and make better formulations,” she says.

But not all products are what they claim to be. Look for specific, verifiable claims, not nebulous terms such as “natural” or “eco-friendly.”

Richardson also has an easy fix: Don’t buy products with lots of ingredients you can’t identify or pronounce.

And don’t forget packaging. Powdered or solid products are easier to package and ship than liquids.