With spring coming on I’ve realized I’ve been slacking big time on using the clothes line. I know it’s important for a LOT of reasons, but, the dryer is right there….
I need some motivation to get off the dryer at least for the summer. So, I went in search of real stats on why throwing that wet laundry into a basket and carrying it upstairs to hang outside is better for the natural home than just throwing it right into that dryer just sitting there next door to the washer begging to dry the clothes for me.
How Much Cash Will The Clothesline Save?
For most people in the US running your dryer costs about $0.30 – $0.40 per load. As a family of 5 I do approximately 10 loads of laundry a week including sheets, rags, towels, and clothing for each of us. So I can save a couple of bucks each week if I put a bit more effort out and use the clothes line. Ka-Ching!
Can The Clothesline Really Help Save The Environment?
The short answer – Yes.
The “How” is a bit more complicated. Basically, if we all use less power, we need less power generating sources; all of which have some type of negative environmental impact. When the power demand is less (because you’re using your clothesline instead of your dryer for example) this negative impact is reduced or even eliminated!
Of course, using the dryer is only one electrical appliance in one household. There are a myriad of other ways to save energy and even more ways to work towards saving the environment….but, there’s no doubt about it. It’s more environmentally friendly to use the clothesline than the dryer.
Is It True Clothes Can Be Saved By Line Drying?
That’s what they say. When the dryer tosses clothes around zippers and buttons snag fibers and age clothes more quickly. The evidence? Look in your lint tray. There is no lint when line drying.
Now, I’ve washed a tissue, or a piece of paper for example and, well, the dryer is nearly essential when trying to get these fibers off. But, the same is going on to the fibers of your clothes that you actually want to stay where they are each time you run them through the dryer. So, you really can save your clothes (and even more money!) when air drying clothes vs. using the dryer.
Well, I guess that’s a lot of savings when you look at it that way! I would probably add too that when I use the clothes line I’m more active as well plus, I get outside; so there’s a bit of “saving” for me there too!
And, you can’t forget that smell. There’s nothing like that dried in the sunshine and fresh air smell……
Looking at all these ways using a clothes line can save really gives me the extra motivation I need to get the laundry outside this summer. And, ideally, this “no dryer” vibe will keep flowin’ all year through and we’ll finally set up a system in the basement for line drying so we’re covered for rainy and winter days too.
How about you? Can you have a clothes line? Unfortunately, some developments prohibit them. And, we’ve seen folks with some types of allergies be aggravated more when their clothes were dried outside. Overall though if you can find a place to string up your clothes, are able to get a wooden drying rack, or can make some other contraption in order to avoid using the dryer in your natural home, the environment, your clothes, and your wallet will all thank you!
