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!
Steve Frank says
I just saw you mentioned the possible need to partially dry indoors to remove wrinkles….are you familiar with “Snapping Laundry”…..I was amazed how many people didn’t know that before you hang a piece of laundry, you give it a snap…think snapping a towel….but holding both corners and give it a quick snap….no wrinkles when it dries…same with shirts etc….
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.