So, let's totally beat the dead horse and talk about how hot it is.Holy cow, it's hot! And it appears as though it might be this hot for, oh, the rest of the summer. Mmm hmm. So, Greenologists. What're you gonna do with this heat? How will you harness all this free energy that's hanging around, making things generally gross and sweaty? Want a suggestion? Of course you do. That's why you're reading this. Here's one: Why don't you wash all those sweaty clothes, and then dry 'em. For free. No, we're not talking about jerry-rigging the dryers at the laundromat. Remember line drying? It's back, and it isn't better than ever, but it's still pretty good.
Why should you want to spend the extra effort line drying your shiz (other than the fact that it saves energy/fuel and is gentler on your clothes)? We crunched some numbers in order to increase the allure of hanging your unmentionables in the warm breeze. Here we go:
So. According to, like, every energy use source out there (we'll throw you this one in the interest of journalistic integrity, mostly because this guy's hair is awesome), clothes dryers account for around 12% of the average American family's household energy use. The average American family does approximately 400 loads of laundry per year at $0.15 per kWh, which averages out to around $156 in household energy costs per year, once you factor in the difference between gas and electric power/average drying times/yada yada. If your average American family is relegated to paying the ol' landlord/laundromat for your clean threads (like us), that expenditure rockets up to around $900 per year, at around $2.25 per load. NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS. That's three tickets to Guatemala, folks. Or a crazy-awesome new bike. Or a really nice charitable donation to a non-profit in need. It's a lot of money, OK? A lot of money, of which you could be saving 100% by simply stringing up your goods.
Don't have the time, you say? Let us point out that research (i.e.: our laundry day) shows it takes an average of four minutes to hang a load. It also only takes an extra forty-five minutes for our stuff to dry on the line versus in the dryer. Don't have the space, you say? Let us also point out that we live in an approximately 450 sq. ft. apartment, and we manage just fine. But, we know it's not easy to make the adjustment. That's why we're going to point you to TipThePlanet, and their sort of insanely comprehensive review of every imaginable drying rack -- indoor and outdoor -- in existence, so you can MacGyver your way into energy savings. We're also going to point out that you can buy whatever you may require to transition into clothesline country at these independently-owned businesses:
Back Bay Hardware
233 Newbury St., Boston
(617) 536-0193
Charles Street Supply
54-56 Charles St., Boston
(617) 367-9046
TAGS Hardware
Porter Shopping Exchange, Somerville
(617) 868-7711
Pills Hardware
743 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square, Cambridge
(617) 876-8310
As per usual, we are offering a reward for participating in this little challenge. Send us photos of your clothes on the line, post a comment here telling us how you line dry, tweet us about it at @gogreenologist, or post about it on our Facebook page, and you'll be entered to win some incredible-smelling, all-natural, totally biodegradable, super-concentrated Zum Clean lavender laundry soap. Huzzah!
So harness that heat, Greenologists! And remember: Clothespins are not for clipping to your roommate/partner while they're sleeping. Seriously.
