“Go Green” With a Free Solar Clothes Dryer!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 01:41PM 
With all of the interest in "going green" and saving energy, I have a couple of thoughts.
Remember years ago when our mothers and grandmothers and perhaps even ourselves, used the clothesline to dry our clothes? Remember how wonderful the sheets smelled? They even sell air fresheners with a scent called "fresh linen"! They don’t come close to the smell of fresh, sun-dried sheets, but they have a good idea there.
Well, these days, most communities and subdivisions have covenants banning the use of clotheslines, so that may be out of the question for most homes today. However, you can either use regular clothes hangars or buy a small collapsible plastic coated wire or wooden rack to dry some of your clothing. And that can amount to a considerable savings. Ikea sells several different models and Target and Wal-mart usually stock them as well. Simply purchase one of these for your basement, laundry room or the back of a door and you will not only save, but spare the wear and tear that the dryers put your clothing through. Think of the wear and tear that bumping around in the dryer inflicts on delicate undergarments and sweaters. And if the solar part and the "fresh linen" scent intrigue you, try putting the rack out on the deck or hanging the sheets on your back deck railing!
I have a wire drying rack in my basement that I use at least four times per week. What does that save me? Well, if the average cost to run an electric drying is 40 cents, that adds up to nearly $100 a year. Is it worth it for your family? Think about it!
Kathy Reets - Co-Founder and Owner
