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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

People more concerned about doing their washing quickly than the environment.

535 replies

Starryskiesinthesky · 01/10/2021 07:49

AIBU to think it is totally depressing that people arent willing to make even small changes to try and stop the environmental crisis that is here. For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer, not prepared to dry clothes outside rather than use a dryer, driving everywhere rather than walking. If people who could, made small changes, it would all add up and we might be able to halt some of the damage we are doing to the environment and childrens futures.

OP posts:
greenlynx · 01/10/2021 08:41

Are you sure you’ve got it right? The eco cycle on my washing machine is shorter than the main cycle. You can’t put extra rinse or intensive washing on eco cycle but you don’t need it every wash.
As to drying outside …. I’m sure people are drying outside when they can. Unfortunately the weather is not always suitable. Have you been outside yesterday? It’s horrendous in my area the whole day.

doublemonkey · 01/10/2021 08:41

You've obviously never read any MN laundry threads OP.

People using towels once and then boil washing them. Bedding getting changed every few days. New bedding every year etc etc.

It's time now for the seasonal bedding and seasonal pyjama threads to spring up.

Fuckin ridiculous.

Fizbosshoes · 01/10/2021 08:41

I try not to use the tumble dryer, (probably used once a month if that) my washing machine doesn't have an eco cycle, however I probably would use a programme that took 3 or 4 hours. Mainly because I usually put a wash on before I leave for work and I don't get up 4 hours before I leave (and I don't like to leave appliances on when I'm out of the house)

TheKeatingFive · 01/10/2021 08:41

You have a point, but you’re making it badly.

Lecturing people and name checking specific behaviours gets people’s backs up (who knew?)

However we do need to move to a different mindset whereby we try our best to make small changes, which lead to bigger changes, which as a collective can make a difference.

But people need to decide for themselves what changes to focus on. Running the dryer every now and then might save someone’s sanity, but there are other things that would be easier for that person to work on.

I’d like to see people working out their overall carbon footprint and doing things that suit their family situation to bring it down.

Sparklybanana · 01/10/2021 08:42

No wonder the world is going to shit if everyone has the attitude of "everyone else but me needs to do something first!". All of your kids are going to have to live in a world that you've left.
Washing machines have a delay cycle mode. Stick washing in the night before so it's ready when you need it to be and still be economical. Recycle where you can. Avoid plastic where you can. Walking is good for your body and your mind as well as the environment. Turn the tap off and the lights off in you're not needing them. Small things add up. It won't hurt you and in fact will help that slippery shoulder you have...

Wazzzzzzzup · 01/10/2021 08:42

@funinthesun19

You are free to make your choices and I’ll make mine. Don’t be sanctimonious and lecture others on how you think they should live.

I always feel like saying this when people moan about big families.
People moan about the population but funnily enough they don’t moan about their own existence/their children’s existence in that.

I can moan. My family does 2 kids max, often just 1, I have none😁 Whoop us
grasstreeleaf · 01/10/2021 08:45

Are you in the UK, and even in winter??

Yes. We overproduce in the summer. That overproduction feeds into the national grid which evens up things.

Wazzzzzzzup · 01/10/2021 08:45

It's time now for the seasonal bedding and seasonal pyjama threads to spring up.

Wait. What's wrong with seasonal bedding? I have 2 Christmas themed sets

HarrietsChariot · 01/10/2021 08:45

YABU, obviously. My actions as an individual have no impact on climate change. Our actions as a country have virtually no impact.

If you want to fight climate change you need to tackle the source of the problem, China and the US. Go and fight them, persuade the real culprits to change their behaviour.

There's also the argument that why should people care? The idea that we're wrecking the planet for future generations is nonsensical given the fact that the number one problem is over-population. If people stop having children, the need to protect the planet goes away.

grasstreeleaf · 01/10/2021 08:47

If people stop having children, the need to protect the planet goes away.

Erm and the human race dies out....Grin

TheKeatingFive · 01/10/2021 08:47

Go and fight them, persuade the real culprits to change their behaviour.

At an individual level, someone from the U.K. has a much bigger carbon footprint than someone from China, so I’m sure you lecturing them would go down swimmingly

Theendoftheworldisnigh · 01/10/2021 08:48

@FlyingFlamingo

I do as much as I can - I use a refill shop and milkman to avoid plastic bottles, I walk whenever I can, we are looking into an electric car, I recycle…but I also work, and in order to have washing outside by 8:30 an eco cycle would have to be on by about 5. It’s just not a realistic option.
Put it on overnight? Washing can stay in the machine for up to a day or 2
ancientgran · 01/10/2021 08:48

I thought it was interesting information. I normally use the 1 hr programme, I've lost the book for my machine but it does have a 2 hr eco cycle so I'm trying it. It might not be much but every little helps as Mr Tesco tells us (or is it Mrs Tesco?)

doublemonkey · 01/10/2021 08:49

Wait. What's wrong with seasonal bedding? I have 2 Christmas themed sets

You know what you've done. Hang your head in shame.🎄🎅🏻

LarryTheLurker · 01/10/2021 08:49

Get real. If the entire British nation vanished off the face if the Earth tomorrow it would make absolutely no difference to the planet's climate. There is no 'climate emergency', it is a fiction.

vdbfamily · 01/10/2021 08:49

Must modern washing machines have a timer and you can go to bed at night and set the machine to finish in 8 hours or whatever you want so it finishes as you get up. Then you can stick it on an airer before work. Only works if washing machine is not in room under a light sleeper who will wake to the spin cycle but I guess that may be a time people are getting up anyway.

grasstreeleaf · 01/10/2021 08:49

Wait. What's wrong with seasonal bedding? I have 2 Christmas themed sets

I have a nice cozy blanket throw that gets chucked on top of our duvet. Keeps us lovely and warm. Done this for years. Can't be arsed buying expensive duvets or renewing them if they get a bit thin. When they get thin we just chuck something else from the bedding cupboard on top of it.

ElizaDarcysDeeds · 01/10/2021 08:50

The OP seems to have the attitude of 'everyone else needs to do something'. Lots of MNers care about the environment. Check the demographics. They also have campaigned on these issues for a long time. Posters acting as though they've just discovered something and want to lecture everyone else about it ... well, that never goes down well. Especially when the lecturing seems to come from a place of privilege because only someone with no understanding of the burden on women; the division of household labour; the choices available to low income families, etc - would pontificate in the way OP has.
FWIW I regularly do an eco audit. I know my carbon footprint. Lots of us do. We don't wear it like a halo or use it to beat others with less money, less choices and more responsibilities.

Wazzzzzzzup · 01/10/2021 08:50

@doublemonkey

Wait. What's wrong with seasonal bedding? I have 2 Christmas themed sets

You know what you've done. Hang your head in shame.🎄🎅🏻

Whatever I've done they have been bringing me good moods for last 6 years 😁 worth it
Theendoftheworldisnigh · 01/10/2021 08:52

@HarrietsChariot

YABU, obviously. My actions as an individual have no impact on climate change. Our actions as a country have virtually no impact.

If you want to fight climate change you need to tackle the source of the problem, China and the US. Go and fight them, persuade the real culprits to change their behaviour.

There's also the argument that why should people care? The idea that we're wrecking the planet for future generations is nonsensical given the fact that the number one problem is over-population. If people stop having children, the need to protect the planet goes away.

There's always an excuse to do nothing, isn't there? Doing something makes a tiny difference. Millions of people doing something makes a less tiny difference. You can obviously also get involved in campaigning. Being more environmentally aware / not flying / driving less is not incompatible with joining a campaigning group, writing to your MP, writing to the papers, etc. Importantly, if lots of people start taking it seriously, that's a message to others to do the same. If you do nothing - don't expect your children to like you when they grow up. Though that will be the least of your, and their, problems.
likeacandleinthewind · 01/10/2021 08:53

@Starryskiesinthesky

AIBU to think it is totally depressing that people arent willing to make even small changes to try and stop the environmental crisis that is here. For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer, not prepared to dry clothes outside rather than use a dryer, driving everywhere rather than walking. If people who could, made small changes, it would all add up and we might be able to halt some of the damage we are doing to the environment and childrens futures.
For example, not wanting to use an eco programme on machines because it takes longer

My 47 minute 30 degree cycle uses a minuscule amount more electricity than the four hour eco one. It allows me to put it in the dryer before I go to bed/work. Dryer - yes - north facing garden in hill country wouldn't do much for my clothes.

driving everywhere rather than walking

I work 50 hours a week, live fairly rurally and drive everywhere because of time. Walking is something I do in my leisure time, not 'life' time.

AIBU to think it is totally depressing

I generally don't find myself depressed by other people's life choices.

Cosyblankets · 01/10/2021 08:53

@grasstreeleaf

When we all have to switch over to electric cars, where is the electricity going to come from? How are we going to generate all that?

Our solar panels charge our car and put electricity into the grid.Smile

Where are the charging points going to be for terraced houses with no parking? Who is going to pay for all that?

Street charging posts are quite simple to fit. Some are connected to lamp posts. Electric vehicle companies actually fund fitting the chargers themselves in a lot of cases. There are other schemes in place and government money available as electric cars are actually being seen as part of the solution.Smile

I cannot believe that even after the recent fuel crisis some people still refuse to say anything positive regarding electric vehicles. Electricity is flexible. It can be produced in a variety of ways with consideration for which has the least harmful impact on the environment.🤷‍♀️

I wasn't being negative it was a genuine question. I don't have solar panels. I can't afford them. How much does it cost to have a charging point fitted? We are a two car family so I'm not sure if one would suffice. My friend lives in a house with no parking and where she has to park is not near a lamp post and there isn't enough room on the pavement because it's narrow there wouldn't be enough room for a wheel chair or a pram to pass. Another friend lives in a flat with allocated parking across a big main road in an area without lighting. How would they charge their car? None of these are negative comments? They're practical questions. This kind of thing needs to be in place before people are forced to buy electric cars
Fizbosshoes · 01/10/2021 08:53

Where are the charging points going to be for terraced houses with no parking? Who is going to pay for all that?

Street charging posts are quite simple to fit. Some are connected to lamp posts. Electric vehicle companies actually fund fitting the chargers themselves in a lot of cases. There are other schemes in place and government money available as electric cars are actually being seen as part of the solution.

I cannot believe that even after the recent fuel crisis some people still refuse to say anything positive regarding electric vehicles. Electricity is flexible. It can be produced in a variety of ways with consideration for which has the least harmful impact on the environment.🤷‍♀️

I don't think its not saying anything positive about electric cars its pointing out the (im)practicalities for some people. I live a fairly MC area. Every other person seems to have a Tesla (as one of their cars Wink) ...but they all have a drive and a charging point at home. (And the budget to afford a Tesla in the first place!)

A friend lives in a flat in a road where no one has drives. She saw electric charging points being installed in lamp posts but her question was how does the person/people with the electric car ensure they will get that spot? Its on street parking (not marked out) generally first come first served for any spaces available...

Lalliella · 01/10/2021 08:54

A quick scan of your posting history shows you have children and have been or were thinking of going to at least Spain, Italy, Greece and Vietnam.

So stop lecturing others and look a bit closer to home.