New Series – The Environment #1: My Clothesline
I know – it’s a huge topic. Maybe that’s why, despite being a writer, I’ve put off writing about it for so long.
If, like me, you’re worried about the state of the environment, there are many opportunities to be sad, worried, angry, and despairing.
The thing is, though, those are all negative reactions, and the more I live, the more I believe negativity begets more of the same.
So, instead of focusing on the downside, I’d like to tell you about some things that have worked for me, and maybe answer some questions you might have, and also ask for your input, thoughts, and tips.
My first post in this series is about one of my favourite things in the world – my clothesline!
I write this having just come in from pulling my dry, crisp, great-smelling laundry off the clothesline. It’s an amazing day – about 14 degrees, bright blue sky and sun - and it was great to have a reason to step out onto the back deck.
I apologize in advance if some of what I write is obvious to you – if you’re a clothesline afficionado, this post will be way below you – but some people have never tackled a dryer-free existence, and if I can inspire just one of them, I’ll be happy!
That’s right – I said dryer-free. I really only use my dryer a few times a year. Mostly to tumble-dry clothes before I take them into Boomerang, as I once had a shirt sent back to me because it had clothes pin marks on the shoulders (really?!?).
Most of you know I live in Ottawa and, yes, we have extreme winters, but I use my clothesline heavily from April to November and lightly the rest of the year. On the right day in January, (breezy and sunny) bed sheets will dry on the line, and they’ll smell AMAZING when you make your bed with them.
So, general clothesline tips:
(1) Types – There are many kinds to choose from. I’m lucky to have a LOOONG line that runs from the house to a hydro pole. You can buy kits to install your own clothesline – this one’s just $29.99, which I think is a great deal. If you’re not lucky enough to have a long stretch to install your line, you can always get the umbrella style.
(2) Clothesline Accessories – Everybody has their own preferred clothes pins. Many people swear by wooden ones, and I get that. If a wo0den peg comes apart, it’s worth putting back together. However, my own personal preference is for the plastic type – but only a very specific plastic type: the kind you get at Dollarama – for me these grip best, and stand up well outside (I leave mine out all year round). I think we use too much plastic in this world, but it is good for certain applications and, to me, clothes pins are one of those applications. There are also spacers – most useful so that your long line doesn’t droop too much – especially when you’re hanging heavy things (duvet covers). And, you can buy a bag to hold your pins – although I use a cool metal basket I found at Winners.
(3) Hanging Tips – Especially when it’s cold, I sort my wet laundry inside (usually in front of something on Netflix). That makes it much quicker when I step outside to peg up the clothes. I have a pile all ready for me to reach for, and I have the clothes in the order I want them. You’ll figure out which way the line works best for you – depending on what’s under your line, there may be places where hanging short items works better, and you may also want to think about where (or whether) you hang out “delicate” items. I do tend to hang ours out, but not directly over our deck, just in case a neighbour drops by for a visit. The sun is a natural bleacher, which is great for whites, so I leave all my whites right side out, but tend to turn bright, or dark, colours inside out before hanging. This way, if your kids always throw their stuff in the wash inside out, you can just let them keep doing that!
(4) Weather - Unless it’s actually raining I use my line. Clothes dry on overcast spring, summer and fall days. Because my mornings are really busy, I usually hang the laundry out right before bed. In the summer, this means the clothes are pretty much dry by morning, and in cooler times of the year, it gives them a head start on drying – they’re out as soon as the sun is up, and not when I can finally get around to hanging them after all the millions of other chores I have to do in the morning.
(5) Clothesline Alternative – When it’s raining, or really, REALLY cold, I use an indoor drying rack. You can get these so many places (IKEA, Loblaws, Canadian Tire). It’s amazing how much they hold – especially once you figure out the best way to configure your clothes on them. Our houses are so dry here in Ottawa, in the winter, that I like having the moisture wicked back into the air.
Those are my tips, now here are my reasons for making this change:
(a) Saves money - I just had to add up our Hydro bill for last year (for my taxes) and our entire bill for the whole year was just over seven-hundred dollars. I think, for a family of four, that’s pretty good. I can guarantee it would be much higher if we used our dryer all the time.
(b) Saves clothes - Our clothes never wear out (except for the occasional knee on boys’ pants – but that’s par for the course) and they never fade. Your dryer is so hard on your clothes – every time you empty the lint trap, you’re peeling away a layer of your clothes.
(c) Saves the earth - At least it helps. It’s a small step, but a worthwhile one.
(d) Saves my sanity - There is nothing like stepping out onto my deck on a crisp evening, and looking up at the stars while I hang up my laundry. It’s quiet and calm. Ditto looking out my window at any time of day to see my clothes on the line.
There are these cool, communal clotheslines next to some of the walk-up apartment buildings in our neighbourhood. I keep meaning to take a picture of them and, when I do, I’ll post it – I think there should be communal clotheslines for everyone to use … not just those with backyards.
So – how about you! Will you try it? Or, are you already clothesline-committed, and can you mention something I’ve forgotten?
