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Line-dry laundry seasonally

Why This is Green

A clothes dryer is one of the largest energy hogs in any home. Some new models may have energy savings settings on them, but there isn’t really any such thing as an energy efficient dryer.

By relying on air and sun to do the drying work for you seasonally, you eliminate the use of electricity or gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve non-renewable resources.

If you have never air-dried your laundry before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. The smell and feel of air-dried clothing and sheets is pleasant. Sunshine acts as a natural sanitizer and whitener, eliminating the need for chlorine bleach. Air-drying is also gentle on fabrics, helping them last longer, though dark items should be kept out of the sun or they’ll fade.

Once you get hooked, you’ll find yourself expanding what you consider the season for air-drying. Dry on racks inside when it's raining or during the winter. All of that evaporation does great double duty as a humidifier, too. Then you can relegate the dryer to doing the hard work--like blankets and towels--only.

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How To

Set up your drying system. Get pegs, a rack or two, and a line (that is, if your town, neighborhood, and/or owner’s association permit line-drying; oddly some don’t). If it's banned or you have no yard, indoor drying works well.

When it’s nice out, double check the weather (rain is fickle!), then get going. Clothes dry faster in low humidity.

Think ahead to save time. Drying shirts on hangers means they can go straight from the line into your closet.