Yesterday was National Hanging Out Day - not the kind you do with your friends but what you do - or should be doing - with your clothes.
It appears that the clothesline is making a comeback and, with its green credentials, on its way to becoming cool. Residential developments and subdivisions that currently prohibit the clothesline, usually for "aesthetic' reasons are under pressure to change their ways. It's hard to argue when you hear that the energy involved in drying a load of washing in the clothes dryer is about the same as all the energy used by a family in rural sub-Saharan Africa. And, if you're the more self-involved type, you'd be interested to know that I've calculated the savings for our family of two using our clothesline in the summer months alone at around $50 - much more when you add in the cost of purchasing and maintaining that machine.
According to Project Laundry List, the top reasons for using the line are:
- Clothes last longer.
- Clothes and sheets smell better.
- Save energy, thus preventing pollution.
- Save money.
- You get some exercise and can do this activity outside.
. . . and I have a sixth reason for those of us who live in colder climates: hang your laundry on an indoor line or rack and you've got yourself a pretty good (if part-time) humidifier.
Well, it's warming up: time for me to go hang out.
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