The Classic City Rotary of Athens Eco Passport is a year-long initiative to encourage members to engage in eco-friendly activities and promote environmental awareness. Members earn points by completing various sustainable actions, such as recycling, composting, attending environmental talks, and participating in service projects. ECORotary@sosuin.org
Eco Passport Item # 35 – “Dry laundry on a drying rack/clothes line.”
By Salome Alvarez, Southern Sustainability Institute, Athens, GA
Email: Blog@sosuin.org
Using a drying rack or clothesline is a great way to save energy, protect your clothes, and support Athens’ sustainability efforts. When you opt for air drying instead of the dryer, you reduce your electricity use, extend the lifespan of your fabrics, and contribute to a healthier environment.
Why Line-Drying Makes a Difference
Electric dryers are one of the biggest energy consumers in the home, and by simply air drying, you’re making a choice that’s both eco-friendly and cost-effective. This aligns with Athens’ Zero Waste initiatives, which promote simple, everyday choices that help reduce waste and conserve energy across our community.
Benefits of Air-Drying Laundry
Air drying your clothes doesn’t just save energy; it also brings multiple benefits to your clothes, home, and the environment:
- Reduce Energy Use: Dryers require a lot of power to operate, and skipping even a few loads each week can make a noticeable difference in your household’s energy footprint. This supports Athens’ efforts to reduce local energy consumption and minimize emissions.
- Extend Clothing Life: High dryer heat can wear out clothes over time, causing shrinkage, fading, and fabric damage. Air drying is gentler on your clothes, helping them last longer and reducing the need for replacements, which cuts down on waste.
- Save on Utility Bills: The average household can save a considerable amount on electricity costs by using a clothesline or drying rack for part of their laundry. It’s a free and effective way to keep costs down while going green.
- Fresh, Naturally Clean Clothes: Sunshine has natural disinfecting properties, which helps keep clothes fresh and free of bacteria. Plus, nothing beats the clean, sun-dried scent of clothes dried outdoors!
- Align with Local Sustainability Goals: Athens and the University of Georgia’s Zero Waste programs emphasize actions like reducing energy and waste through daily habits. Hanging your laundry to dry is a perfect fit for these initiatives and a simple way to participate in the city’s environmental goals.
Tips for Effective Air-Drying
If you’re new to air drying, here are a few tips to get started:
- Set Up a Drying Spot: Choose an outdoor area or set up an indoor drying rack by a window for sunlight. Outdoor drying works well on sunny, breezy days, while indoor drying is perfect during colder months.
- Use a Sturdy Drying Rack: Invest in a quality rack that can handle larger loads or heavy fabrics, or go traditional with a clothesline in the backyard. Many stores in Athens carry eco-friendly drying racks, so you can support local businesses while making the switch.
- Maximize Airflow: Whether you’re drying indoors or outside, aim for a spot with good air circulation. This helps clothes dry faster and prevents musty odors.
- Sort by Fabric Type: Thicker fabrics like towels and jeans may take longer to dry, so place them in the sunniest, breeziest spots. Lightweight items usually dry quickly and don’t need as much direct sunlight.
- Rotate for Even Drying: For quicker drying, flip or move items around on the line. This ensures they dry evenly, reducing the chance of damp spots.
Join Athens in Sustainable Living, One Load at a Time
Drying clothes on a rack or line helps cut energy consumption and reduces emissions, aligning with Athens’ push for sustainable choices that everyone can practice at home. Plus, with efforts like Athens’ Zero Waste initiative, the community is actively reducing its environmental impact—an effort you can support simply by skipping the dryer.
Save energy, enjoy naturally fresh clothes, and support Athens’ green initiatives by air drying your laundry!
Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/harness-sun-eco-friendly-living-saltylama/
https://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-living/natural-home/dry-clothes-without-dryer-zw0z2404zols/
https://tru.earth/blogs/tru-living/the-benefits-of-using-a-clothesline-to-dry-clothes
