Menu
Suggested Searches
Recent Searches
Suggested Searches
Product Ratings
Resources
Chat With AskCR
Resources
All Products A-ZThe payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.
Re-activateMy account
Sign In
My account
Sign In
Media Room
Release date 05/26/2021
YONKERS, N.Y. – Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing, and consumer advocacy organization, is expanding its new Green Choice designation to washing machines. CR will now use a green leaf icon to help consumers identify the washers that are more efficient and have a lower impact on the environment overall.
Washing clothes requires a lot of water and energy. Plus, there are concerns about the machine’s durability and how rough it is on fabrics, which can create additional environmental impact from waste disposal and replacement items.
Nearly half (47 percent) of Americans say they would be willing to pay more for a product if it was green, eco-friendly, or safe for the environment, according to a recent CR nationally-representative survey of 2,288 US adults.
“Doing laundry has implications for the environment. Washing clothes requires a lot of water and energy. Plus, there are concerns about the machine’s durability and how rough it is on fabrics, which can create additional environmental impact from waste disposal and replacement items,” said James Dickerson, Chief Scientific Officer at Consumer Reports. “With Green Choice, we are trying to advance consumer behavior and business practices that are more sustainable and accessible to everyone.”
CR launched Green Choice in February to designate the vehicles that emit among the lowest amount of greenhouse gases and other smog-forming pollutants. With the introduction of Green Choice to home appliances, CR is adding the green leaf icon to the washing machines that score among the top 20 percent of all washers according to CR data when it comes to water and energy use, reliability, and gentleness.
Our tests show that Green Choice washers not only reduce one’s environmental footprint, they also tend to be better at cleaning clothes.
CR measures the water use and energy consumption of washing machines. Energy use includes the energy needed to run the machine, heat the hot water, and dry the damp laundry based on how well the machine spins and wrings water from the clothing. Washers that extract more water from the spin cycle enable the tumble dryer to use less energy and, as a result, score higher in CR’s energy-efficiency evaluation.
“Our tests show that Green Choice washers not only reduce one’s environmental footprint, they also tend to be better at cleaning clothes,” said Dickerson. “That’s one of the big reasons why a majority of the Green Choice washers are also recommended by CR.”
While the designation is not limited to recommended models, 55 percent of Green Choice washers are recommended by CR; 23 percent of washing machines are also CR Best Buys, showing that it is possible for manufacturers to make washers that perform well, are better for the environment, and are affordable. Click here for more information about Green Choice.
CR buys all of the products it tests at retail just as consumers do and does not accept free samples from manufacturers for its ratings or evaluations.
Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
© 2021 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
© 2021 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.