It’s Summer Time, Save Money and Don’t Use That Dryer

The common clothes dryer is an energy hog and frequently damages clothing which in turn shortens their life expectancy.  By limiting the use of the clothes dryer, consumers can conserve energy and save money.  The money savings come from two fronts, less energy use and fewer clothes purchases with longer lasting clothing.

Clothes dryers along with refrigerators and the clothes washers are the biggest energy using appliances in a home according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.  Technology options such as more efficient appliances combined with a change in behavior can save money each and every month.

Savings from leaving the dryer dormant comes from the energy savings and longer lasting clothing.  Clothes dryer damage can come from a variety of different forces caused by the tumbling and heat.  The movement and heat often causes the clothes fibers to be rubbed thin.  The heat from the dryer also shrinks clothes and cause stains that were not removed in the washer to be become much more difficult to remove.

By avoiding the use of the dryer for all washing, consumers can conserve energy to help save money and reduce the impact on the environment as well as save money over the long term by having the clothes last longer without the wear and tear brought on by frequent dryer use.
 
For many dryer users, the primary reasons they don’t use a line dry method for their clothes are that they think it is too inconvenient, they are not sure about the alternatives and they are often not aware of the total costs created by using the standard clothes dryer.

The first solution to end excessive dryer use is to start using a clothesline.  If you have no clothesline, perhaps because you live in an apartment or your homeowners association won’t allow clotheslines, a drying rack or a clothes rod will work just as well.

Don’t exclude using a clothesline if space is tight, consider a clothesline in the basement or attic or an outdoor retractable line.  There are a variety of have many ingenious items along the lines of retractable clotheslines that may be fond at the local hardware store or homes good store that can be used in tight spaces or used outside without drawing a lot of attention. 

Drying racks are handy because they can be moved to speed up the drying process.  A drying rack can be placed outside on a sunny day for quick drying and fresh smelling clothes.  Inside the house, try putting them over a vent and the heat or air conditioner will dry them faster. 
 
Hanging clothes on a clothes rod can save money and is a very versatile alternative.  With a clothes rod, clothes can be draped over the rod or individual hangers can be used.  Hangers are efficient because less space is used.  Be sure not to put the hangers too close together or the clothes will not dry. 

Not using the clothes dryer all the time may sound complicated at first, once you get familiar with the practice times it becomes fast and easy and certainly helps the environment and the bottom line.  Air drying clothes uses the best renewable energy sources, wind and sunshine, in the simplest manner.  Less energy used means less money spent which appeals to those who like cheap home living but less energy also yields fewer carbon emissions.  Cheap living to save money and save the environment.