Toward sustainable household laundry. Washing quality vs. environmental impacts

Figures & data

Table 1. Life cycle inventory for each washing scenario.

Washing scenario	Set temperature(°C)	Actual temperature (°C)	ECE reference detergent (g/L)	Water consumption (L)	Time (min)	Electricity (kWh/cycle)
40°C, 5 g/L	40	37	5	10	30	0.340
40°C, 10 g/L	40	37	10	10	30	0.340
40°C, 20 g/L	40	37	20	10	30	0.340
60°C, 5 g/L	60	58	5	10	30	0.764

Figure 1. Lightness difference, ΔLs^*, of the tested standard soiled textile washed at 40°C and 60°C with ECE reference detergent (N=20) according to the studied washing scenarios. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05 for Duncan test following different letters above column for each soil).

Figure 2. E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus as log CFU/carrier and logarithmic reduction (numbers above columns) on cotton carriers (N=15) after washing regimes combing ECE reference detergent and temperature (ND – not detected). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05 for Duncan test following different letters above column for each bacterial strain).

Figure 3. Results of life cycle assessment as eco points (mPt) and relative impact (%) of different washing cycles combining ECE reference detergent and temperature of washing.