With the beginning of a New Year there is a natural progression to start fresh and begin with better habits. Recently we have been working with a lot of Captains and crew moving onto new build yachts or newly purchased vessels and asking for help on how to put in place systems that are simple and sustainable for the vessel and the planet and that work. I thought now would be the perfect time to share the framework we have put together to cover the basics onboard and the simplify the different areas and share our favoruite products. We will begin with Laundry this month.
OUT WITH THE OLD
When starting fresh it is tempting to throw away what you have and start again – usually I would discourage this as “The most sustainable product is the one you already have”. However, in the yachting world there are exceptions to this rule. Often onboard there is a surplus of cleaning and Laundry products that have been acquired by various crew members over the years, this can hinder introducing new systems as you try to ‘use up’ what you have. Do a complete audit of everything onboard, check expiry dates, use and effectiveness and also how environmentally friendly the products are and the ingredients they contain. Anything that is not being used or you have a huge amount of excess of you can donate, here in Mallorca Yachting Gives Back can make use of cleaning products, toiletires etc that you no longer need and they go directly to the shelters on the Island that need them, there really is no better place to begin this process.
BACK TO BASICS
With the amount of different products now available on the market it is easy to over buy and get persuaded by advertising that you need a different product for everything. Keep in mind that onboard in the interior most of the time you are dealing with quite delicate surfaces that are fairly clean so there is no need for harsh, chemical filled abrasive cleaners. We advise to start with the minimum and then fill in the gaps where you find them. Here is our basic shopping list for the Laundry room – with everything purchasing small bottles as you need them for daily use then keeping large 5L, 10L or even 20L containers in storage to refill from.
LAUNDRY LIQUID – This is a total personal preference but high on our list at the moment is the naturally scented Eucalyptus Laundry Liquid from Ecostore or the Fragrance Free/Lavender options from Sonett. Both offer great cleaning power, available in bulk and are 100% Biodegradable
FABRIC SOFTENER – This is very dependent on the yachts/owner requirements. When using a naturally scented Laundry Liquid the ‘scent’ is not a strong as when using synthetic fragrances. To counteract this if needed you can supplement towels and bed sheets with a Fabric Softener. We like the Apple Blossom and Almond option from Ecover as it is available in 15L box containers which holds enough for a massive 495 loads.
STAIN REMOVER – You can find a specific stain remover for everything but having a great all rounder onboard that can be used for soaking, added to the wash or used directly as a paste will cover most of your needs. Available in 5kgs we love this Bleach and Stain Remover from Sonett – you can use it on all white and colourfast fabrics and removes all oxidizable stains.
DELICATE LAUNDRY LIQUID – Although not an absolute must it is always a good idea to carry a delicate or handwash laundry liquid option onboard. Many guests have extremely delicate clothing and this product from Sonett made with soap from pressed olive oils gives you a gentle and nurturing product suitable for all natural fibres including wool and silk.
For a basic laundry room set up – this is all you really need to start with. Make sure you are looking for Laundry products that are:
- Naturally Scented where possible
- 100% Biodegradable
- Available in Refillable Containers
ECO EXTRAS
If you are looking to step up your eco credentials you could think about using the Guppyfriend Bag to remove Microplastics from you loads. It is not practical to use for everything but when washing fleeces, sports clothing or anything that you know will shed fibres you can pop the load into a bag.
Another option is to use Dryer Balls instead of a fabric softener (and DEFINITELY in place of dryer sheets) – although they don’t leave the clothes scented they reduce drying time drastically reducing energy use and can help soften the clothes with no chemicals.
We are really excited to announce that our new website – made to meet the unique needs of Yachts and their crew is up and running NOW. With everything to help you reduce plastic use, buy more ethically, sustainably and locally made products and a huge range of Bulk Cleaning and Toiletries for guests and crew all in one place and packed with information – please check it out and let us know what you think!
Hannah
+34 634 326 981
www.vivecoyachts.com
Hannah is an ex-stewardess who now runs Viveco and Viveco Yachts, an Eco Yacht, Hotel and Home supply shop in Mallorca.
