Research project Simulation Wäschepflege - Recommendations for improving resource efficiency in the laundry process in households in Germany

The consumption of energy, water and detergents during the washing process of laundry in private households in Germany is remarkably high, with over 5.5 billion kWh of electricity and 380 million m3 of water used every year. In this paper, the work of the research team Simulation Wäschepflege (“Laundry care simulation”) is presented. This includes insights into the research steps simulation, experimental work and physical textile testing. The main focus is on results from a consumer survey conducted to gain a better understanding of the education level of consumers with respect to laundry care. The washing behavior of 840 consumers in Germany was analyzed in 2012. Consumers were asked questions about themselves and their households, washing machines and practices, laundry sorting and ideas for future washing technologies.