How to Save Money with a Clothesline

Years ago, using a clothesline, drying rack or even bushes to dry clothing was the only method available.  Today we have become used to drying our clothes in dryers.  It’s easy and convenient.  But it also uses unnecessary energy and costs more than you may think.  Using a dryer can cost you over a hundred dollars per year, depending on how much laundry you do.  You can find out exactly how much it costs to run your electric dryer by multiplying your dryer’s wattage by the length of run time in hours and dividing by 1000.  Multiply this number by your cost per kilowatt on your electric bill.  Then multiply the number of monthly loads you do to determine your monthly cost for using your dryer.  Gas dryers cost on average 11 cents per hour plus 12 cents per hour for electricity to power the drum.  Here are some great options for skipping the dryer and saving money.

Old Fashioned Clothesline

I have been hanging clothes on the clothesline since my three boys were little shavers.  Back then, we lived in an old Victorian home that had a huge clothesline I just loved.  It was approximately twenty feet long with four lines which were always completely filled when I did laundry!

Drying Racks

Even if you live in a tiny apartment, like I once did, you can use a drying rack like this one from Amazon.  You can even use your shower curtain rod to hang clothes to dry!

Overhead Clothing Airer

Another option for drying laundry naturally is the overhead clothing airer.  These originated in Europe back in the 1700s.  They were built using a pulley system that lowers for your laundry items, then raises back up towards the ceiling where the home’s warmest air helps the drying process.  They have recently become quite popular again.  For a tutorial on building your own, see the Grit and Polish.

Clothesline Benefits

Benefits of hanging clothes vs. using a dryer are that they smell cleaner and fresher from being outdoors in the sunshine.  You save on wear and tear from them being tumbled around and beat up in the dryer.  You also avoid the “pilling” that occurs on items put in the dryer.  Also, many clothing items such as blouses and sweaters are line dry only, and will inevitably shrink if you put them in the dryer.  Reducing our drain on the planet’s energy is also beneficial.  What I like most about hanging clothes on the clothesline is that it is relaxing.  You have time to engage in a simple, repetitive activity that can actually be quite calming.  I also like that you can sort the laundry as you hang it, pairing socks, etc. so there is no maddening struggle to match things up later.  As an occupational therapist, I have used hanging laundry on a clothesline as a therapeutic activity in skilled nursing facilities.  It is a great activity to  work on fine and gross motor skills, eye hand coordination, and balance.

Helpful Tips

• To avoid wrinkles, always shake out wrinkle prone items a few times before hanging them on the clothesline.   (Thanks to my Aunt Barb who taught me this many years ago!)
• When removing dry clothes from an outdoor clothesline, always give them a good shake before folding them.  Years ago, I had folded a pair of my son’s jeans and was putting them in his drawer when I heard a buzzing sound.  Lo and behold, I discovered a bumble bee inside his pants, which could have led to a most painful and unpleasant experience.  Thankfully, this is a pretty uncommon occurrence, but one best to avoid.
• You don’t have to get fancy.  You can purchase cheap, simple clotheslines at any hardware store.  At my current home, the clothesline is strung between the posts on my back porch, and I have clothes drying racks as well.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  You may also enjoy The Very Best Soothing Summer Herbal Teas and The Most Beautiful Instagrammable Spots in Monterey!  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.