SmartPower SmartTip: Care for your threads – let them air dry

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photo: Flickr.com

photo: Flickr.com

Sometimes we have to use it—you have a load of clothes that was just washed, with a shirt in it you need to be wearing when you run out the door in 30 minutes. Thank goodness for the dryer, right? But consider all the other many times—absent wardrobe emergencies—we casually use the dryer simply out of habit.  The average household with a normal dryer will put close to 1 metric ton of C02 into the air each year with its use.  That’s the equivalent to 110 gallons of gas, and a cost of well over $100. (Not to mention the cost in damage to your clothes from all the excessive heat.)

Look into setting up a clothesline.  They’re not simply nostalgic – they’re practical. And, if that’s not an option for you, purchase an indoor drying rack (pictured).  With so many trips to the pool and/or the beach during the summer months, drying towels doesn’t need to cost you money and harm the environment.  Try using a clothesline or drying rack -- both are great ways to get energy smart.

And check out our SmartPower blog for more on clean energy and energy efficiency.

Related: saving money, energy saving, dry rack, clothing care

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From the Community…

Comments 1-4 of 4
  • Laura's Avatar
    Posted by Laura Thu May 29, 2008 8:14am PDT

    Okay I'm a pioneer at heart. My favorite summer activity is hanging laundry on the cloths line! The scent of the freshly washed sheets, the steady brightness of the sun, the gentle breeze, the birds singing, all help to completely de-stress my day. I find this soooo relaxing. Cheep and relaxing, I wish more things were.

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  • Shalvia's Avatar
    Posted by Shalvia Thu May 29, 2008 9:53am PDT

    Dryer? I haven't had a dryer in 14 years. The down side is that washing and line drying does not remove pet hair....I have 4 Australian Shepherds and 2 cats.

    Sadly, many homeowners associations do not allow clotheslines! Thankfully I live in a very old neighborhood and while they try to set guidelines we are in no way obligated to abide by them.

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  • Trina's Avatar
    Posted by Trina Thu May 29, 2008 10:12pm PDT

    Ihave lived in Europe now for over 1 year and have not used a dryer the whole time. I wish I had one to use for things like towels and sometimes sheets or if I need something dryed in a hurry. I have to Iron more but shirts and things dry in no time.

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  • Kristobells's Avatar
    Posted by Kristobells Fri May 30, 2008 1:25pm PDT

    We hang our beach items over the front railing of our porch to air dry each weekend. I long for the day when we will own our very own piece of land to do such things as hanging clothes on the line-how basic life really could be :)

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