How to Use a Clothesline & Cut Your Electricity Bill | Teems Electric

You have likely seen clotheslines in old movies or on your grandparents’ property, but if you think they are an outdated practice, think again! Many younger people are re-embracing the clothesline, and for good reason—it saves money, leaves your clothes smelling fresh and is a great way to get outside during the day! Plus, it can even make your clothes last longer since the dryer can be so hard on fabrics.

If you do the math, line-drying your clothes saves a little over a dollar for each load of laundry. This may not seem like a lot of savings, but it can really add up.

Plus, if you factor in other costs such as dryer sheets and clothes replacement, the savings can be even higher. Below, we will share some tips for using a clothesline so you can get the most out of each load of laundry that you do!

How to Use a Clothesline to Save Money on Electricity

Choose a breezy, shaded area for your line. While the sun will certainly dry your clothes faster, it can also lead to the notorious sun bleached look—great for vintage items, but not so great for your favorite black T-shirt! Choose an area of your yard that is breezy and shaded for your line to reap the most benefits.

Keep an inch between each garment. Taking advantage of the natural airflow is what line-drying clothes is all about, so if you have the space, leave a minimum of an inch between each garment so the air can move all around each one. You can sometimes get away with hanging smaller items, such as socks, closer together, but separation is best if you can manage it.

Tumble dry briefly as needed. Certain heavy items, like bath towels and jeans, can feel stiff if they are solely line-dried due to the nature of the fabric. For these items, we suggest tumble-drying them on low for about five to 10 minutes just to fluff them up, then they can be line-dried the rest of the way and should remain soft.

Curious about other ways you can save on electricity at home? We can help! Contact us to learn more about all of our electrical services.