When my husband and I got back from our first parents-only trip to New York City last weekend, we returned to a giddy son, a relieved grandmother, and a mountain of laundry. The glow of vacation fades quickly when you have to dive right into chores, but I'm not complaining because we were happy to be home!

After doing my fourth load, I wondered what more I could do to make the laundry process more Earth-friendly. I avoid using bleach and I always buy biodegradable detergent, but I know there's plenty of room for improvement.

One thing I need to remember is to wash everything in cold water. Using hot water is a significant energy drain. Presoaking clothes and using cold water detergent should help take care of stubborn stains and odors. Another energy saver is air drying clothes. Even in a city like Portland, there are opportunities beyond summer to line dry clothes. There's also the option of doing it inside your house. If you live in a climate that allows you to get that incredibly fresh, line-dried laundry smell most of the year, I am jealous!

Another way to go green with laundry is to do less of it. Look for clothes you can wear at least twice before you need to throw it in the wash. That may be difficult for items like cotton t-shirts, but work clothes like dark colored blouses and pants can be worn more than once. I don't wash my jeans after one wear, unless they get muddy. If I get a food stain, I spot clean as soon as I can. Not washing denim too often makes your favorite jeans last longer.

Avoid buying clothes that require dry cleaning.  The solvents used for dry cleaning clothes often create hazardous by-products. Plus, you can save money in the long run by avoiding trips to the dry cleaner. I hand wash items like wool and silk, but make sure you test the fabric before you shrink or fade your favorite top.