Line Drying Your Clothes

My favorite place to be on a hot summer day is outside at my clothesline on the hill. I love to hang the laundry and watch it blow in the wind. I lie next to the line and rest for a bit, enjoying the breeze and feeling proud of my productive self. It's my "mama-time" and no one can take it from me. I'll gladly do all the laundry for those few precious moments of reflection, watching the laundry blow and the clouds roll by.

In addition to providing me with my personal moments of reflection, line-drying is a great idea for environmental reasons. Drying the clothes on the line is eco-friendly and healthier than using those mega machines. According to the Green Guide, "line drying a single load of clothes saves approximately 2.6 kWH of electricity and prevents 3.35 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere." Surely we can all put a load on the line.... you know, take one for the team, team Mother Earth!

"Well", you may say, "I need to bleach my clothes to get them white and dry them in the dryer with fabric softener to get them soft and wrinkle free". Did you know that sunlight is the best bleaching agent and disinfectant there is? It's true...and it doesn't harm aquatic life or off gas dioxins into the atmosphere like chlorine bleach. Best of all, it's FREE! Dryers waste both money and natural resources. Instead of harmful chemical laden fabric softener sheets, give plain old white vinegar a try. The sun will bleach them and vinegar and the wind will soften them right up!

Now, granted, there are times (whole seasons even) when line drying isn't practical and you need to consider an alternative to the clothesline. In rainy weather or winter- time, I use a folding wooden drying rack, which I place over the heat vent or in front of the fireplace (woodstove, etc.). I often put one in the bathtub in the mornings when everyone is through because it is out of the way. You can make your own drying rack without too much trouble, or if you aren't handy, pick one up at your local department store for under $20. I also installed retractable clotheslines in my bedroom that I use when needed. These are great because they are small and don't have to be across the room when not in use. Retractable clotheslines are affordable too at around $10 and are fairly easy to find. Another option is to use sweater racks to dry sweaters and delicate items. If all else fails, you can even use your shower rod or throw towels over bedroom doors to dry. I don't even own a dryer anymore and you know what? I don't even miss it. Once you get into the habit of line or rack drying your laundry, it becomes second nature. You're helping the earth, and that's something to feel good about, plus, you afford yourself a few moments of "Me" time, and that's something we all need!

If you must use a dryer, please choose an efficient model with a moisture sensor that shuts off when clothes are dry and a cold air setting to cut down on energy use. And make sure you use the fast spin cycle on your washer to remove as much of the wet stuff as possible.

Ahh, drying the clothes outside.... my favorite place to be on a hot summer day!