A friend mentioned their grandma's old way of drying clothes and it hit me how much we've changed

My neighbor was telling me her grandma used to line dry everything even in Michigan winters and they just dealt with stiff jeans. It got me thinking about how I just toss everything in the dryer without a second thought. I checked my electric bill and the dryer alone uses like 15% of our monthly power. Now I'm trying to hang dry at least half my loads just to cut back. It's not perfect and stuff takes forever to dry on racks but it does make a dent in the energy use. Has anyone else switched to line drying or air drying for most of their laundry? I'm curious if it actually adds up over a year.

3 comments

3 Comments

derek_ramirez4mo ago

wait what 15% of your power bill just for the dryer? that's wild, i never even thought about it adding up that fast. my grandma was the same way, she'd hang stuff out even when it was below freezing and the clothes would freeze solid on the line. honestly i look at my electric bill now and it's no joke, running the dryer a few times a week adds up quick over a whole year.

evan_jenkins4mo ago

Actually it's closer to 10-12% for most people, not 15%. That number gets thrown around a lot but the DOE says it's more like 11% average. Your grandma's got the right idea though, those old school lines don't cost a dime and clothes smell better too.

evan_jenkins2mo ago

oh man i feel you, derek. i got my first power bill after moving into a place with no backyard and no line, and i almost choked when i saw the jump just from using the dryer three times a week. it's one of those hidden costs you don't think about until you're staring at the number. and your grandma hanging clothes in below freezing weather is hardcore dedication, mine would do the same and then just snap the frozen shirts in half like a cracker.