In addition to making Homemade Laundry Detergent and Homemade Fabric Softener… another great way to cut costs in the laundry room is by drying your clothing outside {or even an indoor drying rod for small spaces!} Many people don’t realize the Benefits of Drying Clothes Outside.
This guest post comes from Trish at Mom on Time Out… enjoy!!
Benefits of Drying Clothes Outside
“I am proud to say that I have been clothes dryer-free for the last three weeks. Late in June I had an epiphany. As I was transferring clothes from my washing machine to my dryer and my air conditioning was running non-stop, it occurred to me that I was using energy to dry my clothes which was in turn heating up my house, which was then causing my air conditioning to run and use even additional energy! Very costly and not green at all.
I decided to go “old-school” and buy myself a clothes rack to dry our clothes on. I ended up buying two racks so that I could fit an entire load on the racks at a time. A clothesline is ideal but we don’t really have an appropriate place to hang a clothes line and this was a good alternative.
I wanted to know how much I could save by not using my dryer. According to ehow.com, you can expect to pay between 44 cents and $1.32 per load as of January 2011”. Variables include whether you own a gas or electric dryer, your energy rates, how big a load, how long it takes to dry your clothes, etc. But let’s take a number from the low end. Let’s go with $0.50/load. If you dry 10 loads a week on the rack you are looking at a $5/week savings. Multiply that by 52 weeks a year and you’re looking at a savings of $260. Not planning on drying your clothes on a rack in the winter? Multiply that $5 a week savings by 16 weeks and you’ve saved $80 – that’s not even taking air conditioning savings into account.
Pros of Drying Laundry Outside:
- Don’t need to use dryer sheets; air drying eliminates static cling.
- Energy savings from not using the dryer.
- Energy savings from not running the air conditioner.
- Clothes dried outside smell fresh and wonderful!
- Sunlight can help to bleach and disinfect your laundry.
- Line drying is better for your clothes than the dryer.
- Simplifies your life.
- Conserving resources and energy.
Cons of Drying Laundry Outside:
- Have to purchase a clothes rack or line if you don’t already own one.
- The turnover between loads is longer.
- May need to use the dryer for a few minutes to release wrinkles.
- Laundry dries quicker during the day.
- Difficult to try larger items like sheets on a rack (easy on a clothesline).
- Limits how many loads can be done in a day (Three a day for me).
The simple pleasure that I have derived from this endeavor has astounded even me. I am really enjoying drying my clothes outside and all the benefits that come with it. The switch was easier than I thought it would be, and I plan on taking full advantage of the sunny days and gentle breezes ahead.
Trish is a blessed mom to 2 darling little boys {ages 5 and 2}, and blogs over at Mom on Time Out.
Load up on more money saving ideas for your home with these brilliant Homemade Cleaners and Tips!
So… let’s hear it ~ what are some of YOUR favorite ways to save $$ on laundry??
Leave a comment & share!
Helen Scalabrino says
Here in Cape Town we have wonderful weather .. I grew up hanging all washing on a line and in the sun. Our summers are hot and sometimes windy. There is a slight problem in winter as it rains quite a lot, but I have a storeroom beneath our home and that’s where the washing goes … clothes on hangers and smalls on a “clothes horse”. I don’t know the origins of that description. I don’t even own a dryer
Linda Coughenour says
I am a strong believer in hanging clothes outside to dry. I find clothes last longer,(all the lint?that is in the dryer filter is wearing out the clothes). I wont put clean sheets on bed unless they have been dried outside. I love the smell of fresh, crisp air on pillow cases. I must admit i do use my iron on our jeans and some of husbands flannel shirts,but,still think i am saving on cost to use dryer.
Allison says
i have the proper set up for drying outside but was wondering if the sun will fade colored clothes?
Kimberli says
I live in a small city apartment and there is not the space nor the proper hook ups for a washer or dryer in my home. Going to the laundry mat was costing me $2.00 a load and that is on the cheap end! Frustrated I started to do some research and found that I could hand wash many of my clothes with a 5 gallon bucket and a toilet plunger! Of course I do not use the same toilet plunger that I use on my toilet. Ewwww! And for very heavy and dirty items I still haul to the laundry mat. But, for items that have just been sweat in I can plunge the nastiness out and hang them on the rack in my kitchen. I’m not sure just how much savings this is. All the equipment cost me less than 20 dollars. I buy my detergent and softener at the dollar tree and I don’t know how much 10 gallons of hot water costs (wash and rinse). But, it works for me.
Karen says
When my husband & I got married, a clothesline was the first thing I asked for. I only use the dryer for our towels in the summer, and I use drying racks in the winter for our jeans and other items that hang well on the racks. This puts humidity in the air for us during the winter. ( We live in MN) I also quit using fabric softner. I had a coupon for a free set of dryer balls, and took the chance on trying them. They work great. They save on drying time and help reduce wrinkles. My washer has a sensor that can tell the weight of the clothes and only uses the amount of water needed depending upon the size of load. I also wash most clothes in cold water. Saves a bundle on the hot water bill, even if we are on off-peak!
Heidi says
You can also check out more tips from your frugal friends here: http://www.facebook.com/thefrugalgirls/posts/203541849694934
Heather Henderson1 says
Cindy, you can totally make your own detergent even working full time! I made my first batch, that I’m still using, when my daughter was about 3 weeks old. She is now going on 13 weeks and I still have a bunch left! It really isn’t that hard, especially if you have a food processor. Look into it. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Stefanie Markin says
I use a homemade stain remover:
1/3 cup amonia
1/3 cup water
1/3 Dawn dish soap (original blue)
Mix together in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain(s) (let sit up to 20 minutes for tougher stains) and wash with your normal wash load.
This takes out so many stains – even ones I had already set in the clothes from drying them before noticing!
I no longer have to buy expensive stain removers!!
Joan Wyatt says
I wash full loads only, use a little less detergent, use cold water most of the time, and hang outside to dry as often as possible. Clothes last longer when not put in the dryer. I also wear many items more than once depending if I haven’t gotten sweaty or dirty.
Jeryl says
I’ve been hanging our clothes on the line for 3 years now & short of making my own laundry soap and fabric softener I cannot think of anymore to do. I buy my laundry soap and fabric softener on sale with coupons. I’ve not had to buy laundry soap this year but have purchased softener. I’ve used vinegar as a softener and have absolutely no complaints as I do not require a scent. I don’t shop at the warehouse clubs and wonder if anyone knows if there are larger containers of vinegar there.
Theresa says
I think I pay $1.50 for 1 gallon at walmart. At Sams they have 2 gallons in a box for about $2.50. I save about $0.25 per gallon at Sams.