Line Dry your Clothes!
Did you know that besides the refrigerator, the dryer is the most household user of electricity? Ok so, it's not like you can unplug your fridge for a few hours everyday to save on money and electricity, but what you can do it NOT USE YOUR DRYER! You may be thinking, why would I do that? A dryer makes the clothes so fluffy and it's way faster than hanging your clothes! But, there are way more pros to line drying than you are probably thinking. To name a few, it's the easiet and cost effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. The UV rays in the sun kill any bacteria in your clothing. Your clothing will last longer. The water given off from your clothes acts as a humidifier for your plants and skin. And its a great way to get outiside and get a little bit of exercise!
Hills Eco Blog is working to make you aware of line drying your clothes and what a great step this is towards a better and healthier environment. Check out the site for some great tips on how to keep your clothes from getting stiff while line drying and how to get rid of wrinkles. This is such a easy way for you to contribuite to the environment while keeping your clothes looking fresh, clean and new - so why not line dry your clothes?
environment, carbon footprint, line dry, dry, dryer, washer, appliances, energy
I always air dry, but here's a tip: Air dry your clothes outside, then throw them in the dryer for 5 minutes to fluff and get out wrinkles.
Yes, and you will find that in summer, it doesn't take any longer to air dry outside! (In Alabama in July, it's often quicker to dry stuff outside!)
@nice_and_shiny - try the 5 mins in the dryer *before* you hang them on the line and the wrinkles won't get dried into the clothes. It's much easier to get the wrinkles out when they're wet, and it makes them less stiff (no crunchy jeans or towels!).
SO: when you're switching out clothes in the washer, put load #1 in the dryer and turn on. Then start setting up load #2. By the time you check all the pockets and add the soap to load #2, load #1 is wrinkle free and ready to go to the clothesline.
I also keep a wood dowel drying rack around for little things (socks, underwear, cloth napkins - lots of little things are a pain to clothespin on the line!).
I dont have a dryer (yaaay!!) so I always air dry my clothes. And because I hang them in the roof its always a good excersise to go unhanging them. The only problem its when it rains, but im sure we can wait 1 or 2 days :)
Another way to cut down on your power bill from your fridge is to keep things in it! The more mass in your fridge the cooler it stays and doesn't need to click on as often. So, fill it up with your reusable bottles of water! Same goes for the freezer! It's a great way to prepare for hurricane season as well! (if you live in coastal area). Freeze big jugs of water.