Hanging Out to Dry? Civil Disobedience

I am getting flak from the HomeOwners Association because I dry my clothes outside. What I don’t understand is- most of the residents in our complex are retired with fixed income. How can they complain about their money when they don’t do the simplest thing, like line dry their clothes? You can save about $128.00 a year just by hang drying your clothes. The US Department of Energy rates Dryers as the second most user of Energy in an Household – up to 6% of residential household electricity.

My Utility Bill averages $13.00 a month. One of the reasons it’s so low, I don’t use the dryer! In fact, I can’t remember the last time I ever used a dryer. I bought rolling clothing racks and roll them right to the washer, hang the wet clothes on a hanger and roll it right outside. How easy is that! My mother does the same thing, only she hangs her clothes on the gutters in the back yard. When its’ raining (a rare occurrence) I hang in the bathroom or put the rolling rack by the warmest place in the house.

I didn’t do this because of Global Warming, I started this because I was Cheap!

8 Reasons Why Hang Drying Your Clothes Is Good 

1. Clothes last longer.
2. Clothes and sheets smell better.
3. Save energy, thus preventing pollution.
4. Save money.
5. You get some exercise and can do this activity outside.
6. Sunlight bleaches and Disinfects.
7. Save You Time- no need to wait around, by hanging especially using hangers, eliminates sorting process.
8. Save ironing!

I Just Gotta Tell Ya- Stats from FEMA:

• 5 deaths
• 400 injuries
• $99 Million in property damage caused by 15,600 dryer fires every year.

How does that handle the HomeOwners? I just do it anyway- what are they going to do-kick me out? Plus I looked up in the CCR’s- and it says, I cannot build a permanent clothes line. A rolling Rack is not permanent fixture. Let them send me a letter and address the issue-  isn’t this called Civil Disobedience? Plus they have to send written notification- and that will really send my ‘clothes’ dander up!

For those who are in the same situation- check your CCR’s- go before your homeowners or call Project Laundry List, even petition the government Right to Dry.org who will continue the fight for you.

If you don’t have a rolling clothing rack or even gutters try some of these alternative drying solutions:

• Amazon- 
• Project Laundry List www.laundrylist.org) Project Laundry List is a nonprofit organization whose mission is making air-drying laundry acceptable and desirable as a simple and effective way to save energy. Learn more about the work of our 501(c)(3) and make comments on our our blog
• Mrs Peggs Handyline- portable clothesline for in or outdoors
• Line Dry it- 
• Accordiion Wall Dryer- lehmans.com
• Folding Laundry Drying Rack- Lehmans.com
• Ceiling Mounted Drying Rack- joyfulspincycle.com
• 3 Arm Drying Rack- spacesavers.com
• Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack- stacksandstacks.com

More Info

How to Dry Clothes Outside