Line-dry laundry all year
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—indoors or out—to do the drying work for you, 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, you may be pleasantly surprised by the results. The smell and feel of air-dried clothing and sheets is pleasant. If you’re drying outside, the sun 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.
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How To
Set up your drying system. Get a rack or two for indoors, and a line for outdoors (if your town, neighborhood, and/or owner’s association permit line-drying; oddly some don’t).
When it’s nice out, dry outside; it tends to be faster. Check the weather before you start.
Line-drying outdoors may not be feasible all winter, but indoor drying is (and does double duty as a humidifier).
Think ahead about time saving. Drying shirts on hangers means they can go straight from the line into your closet.
Air-drying isn’t all or nothing; reducing how often you use your dryer counts. If you can’t get your towels to dry fully indoors, use your dryer for them and the rack for clothes.
Recommended Products
- Drying Rack from the Vermont Country Store
- Umbrella Clothes Dryer
- Project Laundry List
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