Yumi AraoLaundry is a routine part of life, even while traveling. Unfortunately, this everyday chore has environmental consequences and can affect our health.
The eco-conscious traveler’s laundry dilemma
When traveling, finding convenient laundry options is essential for packing light. However, environmentally-conscious travelers often hesitate to use public laundry machines, worrying about their impact on the planet. For those sensitive to synthetic detergents, public laundromats also pose health concerns, as these detergents can cause irritation and other reactions.
Environmental challenges of coin-operated laundromats in Japan
Japanese laundromats use significant water and electricity per wash, and dryers consume even more energy. Although some facilities have made efforts to install solar panels, energy consumption remains an issue.
Environmental and health impacts of traditional laundry
What are the environmental and health impacts of laundry as it’s typically done?
- Water usage
- Synthetic laundry detergents
- Environmental harm
- Health risks for humans
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As mentioned, laundry requires a large amount of water. Washing 1 kilograms of clothes at once typically uses about 10 liters of water, depending on the capacity of the washing machine.
Many detergents may contain petroleum-based chemicals, which could pose potential risks to human health and the environment.
Petroleum-based surfactants, often used to remove dirt through emulsification, are generally not biodegradable. These substances may accumulate in soil and waterways, potentially disrupting natural ecosystems and posing long-term concerns.
Chemical-based detergents can sometimes lead to skin issues like eczema, as they may be absorbed through the skin. If these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they might accumulate in vital organs, making elimination challenging in some cases.
A solution: wash-plus
To address these pressing concerns, wash-plus offers an innovative solution. Their washing machines use alkaline ionized water, eliminating the need for detergent and reducing water consumption.
wash+Technology’s machines use alkaline ionized water to effectively remove oils and dirt. This approach is gentle on the skin and minimizes water use. Crucially, wash-plus machines do not discharge harmful pollutants into the environment.
Accommodations with Wash-plus machines
Richmond Hotel Yokohama Bashamichi
The Richmond Hotel Yokohama Bashamichi provides a relaxing laundry room complete with dim lighting, massage chairs, and comfortable seating for a peaceful experience.
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
The Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel combines eco-friendly wash-plus machines with IoT technology for a convenient and sustainable laundry experience. Compact machines save space while delivering high performance.
THE KANZASHI TOKYO ASAKUSA
THE KANZASHI TOKYO ASAKUSA serves international guests with a convenient cashless payment system and multilingual functionality. Simply scan the QR codes on wash-plus machines to pay easily.
Hotel Keihan Universal Tower
Hotel Keihan Universal Tower offers 12 wash-plus washing machines and dryers, each with multilingual touch screens for easy navigation and payment.
Laundry is a necessity, so why not choose options that protect both the planet and your health? With sustainable products and initiatives like those from wash-plus, we can make positive changes in everyday life.
[Website] wash-plus
