Friday, July 30, 2010

A Solar Dryer...the Clothesline

The clothesline...it is what our ancestors used, and sometimes it seems like we should get back to the basics. One of my dear friends pointed out something that I was completely blind to...my children grab a clean and folded towel every time they go swimming or take a bath.  How had I not noticed with the 'Mt. Everest' pile of laundry that daily calls my name? 
Things have changed around here.  I am on a mission.  The kids get only one towel for every couple of days when swimming and one towel for every couple of days for baths.  Of course, they must hang the towels up and not just leave them on the floor!  Armed with some motivation, I decided to see what advantages a clothesline can offer. 
 Line drying uses zero electricity, the UV rays of the sun actually help sanitize the laundry, and the fresh smell is unbeatable. 

 Here are a few other reasons to consider a clothesline:

*Dryers use 10 percent to 15 percent of domestic energy in the United States.
*It saves money — more than $25 a month on electric bills for many households.
*Clothes last longer when line-dried.
*It is moderate physical activity that you can do indoors or outside.
*Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.
*Indoor racks can humidify in dry winter weather.
*Using a clothesline is just one more way to reduce your carbon footprint.
  http://www.laundrylist.org/

If clothes dry stiff, toss them in the dryer with no heat for about five minutes.  One more tip:  if you use dryer sheets, you can cut or tear them in half; using only the half works just as well!
~
Miss Mustard Seed is having an amazing give-away to celebrate her 2000th follower!  You have to go check out all the amazing stuff she is going to ship to one lucky person!  I love all of it and hope it is me!  Good luck!

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16 comments :

It's me said...

What a lovely sunny wash to dry............happy sunday darling......love Ria.....

Love Being A Nonny said...

Nothing like clothes fresh off the clothesline. My DIL is on the hunt for an old, vintage clothesline!

Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

Those aprons are adorable. Did you make them?

:)

Anonymous said...

I love aprons! What a beautiful post. And the clothespin bag is great, too!

Lynn said...

Great aprons, I really love the monogrammed one!

Jacqueline said...

What a fun way to display your great collection of aprons. I just love all of the color and the beautiful clothespins and stool. Very eye catching.

Christie said...

I did not make these adorable aprons! We just collect them! However, I am inspired to make one from Yvonne's terrific blog, Stone Gable! Yvonne has given a step-step tutorial on how to make one...I think this beginner sewer might be able to do it! Check it out at http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2010/07/apron-tutorial.html. She is so very talented!

a quiet life said...

fabulous pics...

sadly outdoor drying for me is the pits, when its 115 things dry instantly and crisp like cardboard, not fun to wear, try bending your towel, not nice!

Average Girl said...

In my town, clotheslines are really encouraged as a green alternative. I am not that old and I can tell you that that is all I remember growing up, my mom putting all our clothes on a clothesline to dry (although our clothes didn't look as pretty as yours, I must say! lol). Thanks for reminding us about better alternatives!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love the shots of all those pretty aprons hanging on the line. You have some very cute ones.

Snap said...

Great aprons!!! Fun post! Happy Mosaic Monday.

A Garden of Threads said...

Clothes from the line have such a wonderful scent. Love the aprons on your line, remember my Mom using aprons just the same. Good luck with your towel endeavor.

g.suzie said...

Oh you just reminded me how much I used to love the smell of laundry that had been dried on a clothesline. . .so fresh! Your aprons are darling, have a super week!

Anonymous said...

Great photos today... oh, and that reminds me... I need to go empty my clothes dryer since it beeped a half hour ago!!

DI

Unknown said...

Great post, I love the aprons and the pictures! Thanks for linking up to Sister Sister Sunday!

Lindy said...

I love it. Your aprons are adorable and the clothesline tips genius! Thanks so much for sharing this with me!

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