Green As You Can Be

posted by jax1215 on Sep 21

I know there are few women today that have childhood memories of hanging clothes out to dry. I grew up in a time before dryers and I’m a better person for it. When I was very young I was so excited to help my mom hang out clothes.  She did the laundry for the whole extended family, four generations of us. We had a 3 row, very long clothes line and every Monday it was filled. In the Winter we hung the clothes on lines strung in the basement. I enjoyed that time we spent together. Kind of a bonding time.

Then came the dryer. I’ll admit I used one for years, then we moved to a home that had a giant yard and I wanted a clothes line again. I enjoyed hanging out clothes, listening to the birds sing, enjoying sunshine.  I moved again, back to a dryer. Finally I ended up in the mountains trying to be “Green as I can be” and I insisted on a clothes line again. It’s not as big as the first one but it is special. My husband even built a shelf so I could set the basket on it.  I still use a dryer to fluff the towels but I only use it in non peak periods and only with a full load. I clean my lint trap after every use and in the Winter I open the utility room door so the extra heat helps heat the house.

Even it you don’t have room for a clothes line you can use drying racks on your porch or deck. I know some places have rules about a clothes line and that should be address in these more energy conscious times.

Every little thing you do, helps. Try one new thing and make a difference.

JAX