With warmer weather approaching, now is a great time to think about purchasing a solar dryer. Solar dryers are inexpensive, easy to use, and will save you a lot of money on your electric bill every month. Did you know that if you use your electric dryer once a day it will cost you an average of $184 a year? If you have a large family like I do, you will spend twice that or even more.
Have you figured out what I am talking about…if not you can check one out here.
Clotheslines (aka the solar dryer) are a great way to save money. Clothes dry quickly on the line in warm weather and your house isn’t being warmed by the continuous running of the dryer.
Many of you, like me, live somewhere that does not allow clotheslines to be put in the yard. Did you know that they make indoor clotheslines too? Your clothes won’t dry as fast as if they were outside, but at least you won’t be using the dryer. A garage or basement is a great place to hang an indoor line.
You will save money, your clothes will smell fresh, and you will even get a little exercise.
for more frugal tips check out Tipster Tuesday
photo courtesy of allposters.com
*Update*
I received the following question in the comments:
I always thought that if you dried indoors that the house would be damp or prone to mildew that kind of odor smell?
I have dried clothes indoors for many years. I have done it in the north (where the climate was dry, and in a humid southern climate) and I have never had any problems with clothes smelling moldy. I do have ceiling fans so that might make a little bit of difference. My advice would be this, if you have a basement that reeks of mold, don’t put your clothes down there, they will stink. It is my opinion that you can dry clothes indoors without making your house smell damp. It has always worked for me.
I did read an article that said if you hung wet clothes on a drying rack in your bedroom overnight it would give the same effect as a humidifier. I haven’t tried that one.
Hi there i had a question about indoor clothes lines i always thought that if you dried indoors that the house would be damp or prone to mildew that kind of odor smell i guess i was wrong? Could you please let me know because i would be interested in indoor drying it sound like a good idea
I wish we had room for a clothesline either indoors OR outdoors. Unfortunately, we don’t. So instead, I have added 2 dry hand towels to the dryer, and it does cut down on the drying time.
I dry some clothes by hanging them from my shower rod. I tried to dry clothes outside at our old house (where it was allowed) and my daughter’s asthma doctor told me to stop because the pollen got onto the clothes and caused my daughter to have ashtma attacks. I wish I could do this more!
This is something I need to try to do!
I need to do this more. We tried to put one up last year but it hasn’t happened yet. Thank you for sharing all the neat links .
Blessings in Him<
-Mary aka Canadagirl
I am so looking forward to drying my clothes outside again this year. It makes me feel so good to feel like I’m saving money and my little ones love to help and play outside at the same time.
Edwena
I have no room inside or out, and it is illegal outside anyway where I live.
I think I will try the idea of adding two hand towels though.
Blessings,
I enjoyed having a clothesline when in the midwest. Right now I “damp dry” in the dryer then hang to dry indoors the rest of the way. I’ll have to see if there is an inconspicuous area I could put one outside. I hate bugs and spiders on them tho
thanks for the tips! I dont’ have one this week but having fun reading everyone elses
Come visit me anyway ;D
I keep meaning to do this every year, but I just haven’t yet. I am going to DO it this year, because I am WOWED by the amount you listed that we could save!
Thanks for the great tip!
Jen
Oh too funny – you had me going there for a while. I was wondering if a solar dryer would be an upgrade from my clothesline. I guess the classics can’t be replaced!