How Much $ Saved by Line-Drying Clothes?

**CYork** · 03-08-2008, 09:14 AM

We just bought ourselves a clothesline for the back yard. I'm thoroughly enjoying hanging the clothes and look forward to them coming out of the washer ready to hang. Just wondering how much money we're saving per load? We have a gas clothes dryer, not electric. Has anyone done the calculations?

**Samigirl** · 03-08-2008, 09:23 AM

That's funny...I was wondering the same thing. Only, we have an electric dryer. Anyone have any idea of the savings for gas and electric?

**mombottoo** · 03-08-2008, 09:27 AM

I found the following site that has a comparison chart about half way down the page. I used to line dry when the kids were growing up, partly to save money, but mainly because I enjoyed the smell of line dryed clothes. How much you save will of course depend on how much laundry you do. Happy hanging!!!

http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/dryers.html

**Samigirl** · 03-08-2008, 09:34 AM

Wow, you're quick. Thanks a lot!

**frugalfriend** · 03-08-2008, 10:30 AM

Thanks for posting that link!

**M55FF** · 03-08-2008, 10:36 AM

I've never done any math calculations except in the summer...
it takes 30- 60 minutes to dry towels on the line ( less time the more windy it is outside)... the same length of time it takes to dry them in the dryer.
I also sometimes dry on the indoor line I have in my laundry room...
and let things finsish drying overnight, which takes no energy at all.

All in all, I'd rather dry outside but tend to only do it april- nov...
when its warm in the south.

**mombottoo** · 03-08-2008, 10:41 AM

You are welcome!!! If you do tons of laundry line drying can save you some cash, not to mention wear & tear on your dryer. There is nothing quite like the smell of line dryed sheets in the Summer time!

**PB&J** · 03-08-2008, 10:52 AM

I line dry in the summer and usually see my bill go down about $15 per month when I line dry. Of course, we are a larger than normal family (6 of us) so we have a lot more laundry than an average family.

**mmy2grls** · 03-08-2008, 12:59 PM

family of 3 here and I do notice a difference in electric usage when I hang dry my clothes

**shoiji** · 03-08-2008, 01:05 PM

So far I only line dry my rags. Since I use the laundry room that equals $1.50. Thanks for reminding me I need to buy some clothing racks.

**yankeegal** · 03-08-2008, 04:01 PM

Also, your clothes last longer if they are not put through the dryer....where does all of that lint come from?
I can't wait until the weather is nice enough here in the Northeast so I can use my clothesline instead of my clothes racks.

**peanut** · 03-08-2008, 09:06 PM

Actually, about 5 years ago I figured it out. I have an old electric dryer and do 5-7 loads/week. I saved $20cdn./mth. by hang drying. It's probably more now, with the increases in electricity. I should point out, I still machine dry 2 loads/week.

Jean

**schellie69** · 03-09-2008, 09:37 PM

I found that it is a bout 50 cents aload to dry in the dryer, that is what the electic company said but since i do at least 2 loads a day that is $7.00 a week well worth hanging clohtes and that does not count sheets or towels so add that and it is about $10 a week depending on what the kids have done that week, swimming ect. that is the figures i was using.

**heartofmine** · 03-09-2008, 10:11 PM

For my family of 4 and 7-10 loads of laundry a week our bill dropped $30.00 a month with our old machine about 3 years ago. I have a new machine and haven't figured it. When it warms up so I can hang clothing outside again I'm going to see what it does for a month.

**dianne9106** · 03-09-2008, 10:28 PM

I don't have an electric dryer or a clothes line. I use drying racks I got in Europe - they know how to dry clothes without an electric dryer!
I find that I like them to dry in the house better - they are softer, but I iron everything anyway. So I reckon I save a lot of money - the $300 for the dryer and about $.40-.50 a load I would use it for.
BTW - we are a family of four - DH, DS -16, DD-2, and myself. DH - is responsible for a lot of laundry, uniforms, work out clothes, etc....
Dianne