Using Clotheslines

**Ms3r4ISU** · 07-24-2008, 05:20 PM

I use mine as often as is possible. I hate to use a dryer in the summer. One year I purposely hung clothes on the line at least one day every month -- even in the winter. Okay, I still had to put them in the dryer for a bit, but it is possible to use a clothesline all year. By the way, do you know that if you always use fabric softener in the laundry, eventually the absorbency of the fabrics is compromised? So, your Snuggle-soft wonderful smelling towels won't dry you as well.

**statman** · 07-24-2008, 09:27 PM

I don't use a clothesline, but given the world today, I don't think we should be impeding anyone's ability to conserve energy. I agree w/ those who oppose aggressive homeowners associations, as individual freedoms to do what you want on your own property within the bounds of the law represent some very precious rights to give up IMO.

While I don't use a clothes line, I do run my clothes through a spin dryer before I place clothes in the dryer...
Spin Dryer

Spin dryers can make sense in combination with top load washers, as they can remove quite a bit of water in 2-3 minutes, cutting baking (dryer) times approximately in half. The baking of the dryer does cause wear and tear on clothes. Front-load washers spin faster in the dry cycle and the clothes don't get as waterlogged beings front-loaders use less water and the clothes rotate in & out of the water, so spin dryers are less helpful if you have a 'modern washing machine'. Spin drying does help to get more soap out of your clothes before you dry, I used to see a lot of soap come out of my spin dryer before I finally stopped using soap and started using Laundry Pure with cold water only while no longer sorting my clothes before washing (see links below).

Also, even modern dryers aren't very efficient. They are right up there w/ the oven in terms of appliances that use the most watts of power while running...
How much electricity does my stuff use?
Green Your Appliances! Washers and Dryers

Information about laundry pure...

Baseball team news report video
MyFox Tampa Bay | Cheaper laundry?

Website for product
EcoQuest International - LaundryPure

Sometimes available on E-Bay for ~$300
laundry pure ecoquest, Home Garden items on eBay.com

Ankeny store sells it for ~$800 (w/ product video)
Welcome To EnergyDoctorInc.com

**statman** · 07-24-2008, 09:50 PM

I guess there is hope for an efficient clothes dryer in the near future...
New Clothes Dryer Could Save Billions | EcoGeek

**jdoggivjc** · 07-25-2008, 07:43 AM

Because I live in a condo I can't make use of a clothesline, but I do use clothes racks in our second (mostly unused) bathroom.

I think one thing that goes unmentioned in money savings in the argument is how much longer clothes last when you hang them to dry as opposed to machine drying. When I lived in the dorms I would machine dry my clothes, and within 2 years a t-shirt that I liked would be thinner than a sheet of tracing paper. Ever since I started hanging my clothes to dry they have held up much better - although the decor on some of those shirts has cracked/faded over time, the fabric of those shirts is still plenty good, even 5+ years later. So hang drying will even save you in the long run on the cost of clothing itself, not just on energy expenses. Anymore, I'll just dry my socks, underwear, undershirts, and towels. That's it.

**jdoggivjc** · 07-25-2008, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Ms3r4ISU

I use mine as often as is possible. I hate to use a dryer in the summer. One year I purposely hung clothes on the line at least one day every month -- even in the winter. Okay, I still had to put them in the dryer for a bit, but it is possible to use a clothesline all year. By the way, do you know that if you always use fabric softener in the laundry, eventually the absorbency of the fabrics is compromised? So, your Snuggle-soft wonderful smelling towels won't dry you as well.

I informed my wife of this one when we first got married (she was a fabric softener user and I was not). Needless to say, we're still using fabric softener...

**CyinCo** · 07-25-2008, 07:47 AM

I like HOAs and covenants. It keeps my sub-division looking clean and well kept. Rules regarding clotheslines, types of allowable fencing, number of large trees, mowed lawn, where to park, etc. are all welcome to me. It help maintain my property value and assures me that if some slob moves in next door that I have recourse.

**alaskaguy** · 07-25-2008, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

I like HOAs and covenants. It keeps my sub-division looking clean and well kept. Rules regarding clotheslines, types of allowable fencing, number of large trees, mowed lawn, where to park, etc. are all welcome to me. It help maintain my property value and assures me that if some slob moves in next door that I have recourse.

If I want to make an investment I purchase equities and worry about their performance.

Even though my dwellings have represented a substantial portion of my net worth, I have never been overly concerned about their value. Therefore, I don't get overly excited about my neighbors yards and whether they are hanging clothes lines. Furthermore, I would never purchase property that I intended on living in if I was limited to what color my house could be, how many vehicles I could park in the drive way, etc. Even though I have no plans to do any of the aforementioned activities, I still want these options.

**Phaedrus** · 07-25-2008, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

If I want to make an investment I purchase equities and worry about their performance.

Even though my dwellings have represented a substantial portion of my net worth, I have never been overly concerned about their value. Therefore, I don't get overly excited about my neighbors yards and whether they are hanging clothes lines. Furthermore, I would never purchase property that I intended on living in if I was limited to what color my house could be, how many vehicles I could park in the drive way, etc. Even though I have no plans to do any of the aforementioned activities, I still want these options.

One of the problems I see, is that HOAs and covenants are becoming more and more common, thereby eliminating individual freedom by default.

**CyinCo** · 07-25-2008, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

One of the problems I see, is that HOAs and covenants are becoming more and more common, thereby eliminating individual freedom by default.

And for 99% of people, no covenants is fine. Most people know better than to raise sheep in their front yard. Most people know that they should mow their lawn at least once a summer. Most people know that a hot pink house color with black trim isn't a good paint color. But there is always that 1% that ruin things for the rest. And, personally, I'd rather sacrifice some than risk the 1% screwing up my neighborhood.

Now, more specifically, to clotheslines. I guess I don't have a problem with people having a clothesline in their backyard. I just don't want to see one in someone's frontyard.

**alaskaguy** · 07-25-2008, 10:08 AM

I've lived in my share of cities but that is my past history if I have my way.

I have enough of an independent streak that I don't ever again want to have to deal with zoning issues and the restrictions of HOAs.

And I would like to provide one more example of a restrictive covenant that I was once familar with; basketball hoops were prohibited even if they were attached to one's garage.