I wondered just how much money I could save by switching all the laundry to air-drying/line drying. The average dryer costs about $80-$85 to use annually. (That’s not as much money as I would have expected but, anyway, I will move on to my point.) So, if I continue to line dry my clothes, I will have made my $24 that I spent on the umbrella line back in no time! Plus, I will be cutting back on my carbon footprint. Next to the refrigerator, the dryer is the most costly appliance in your home to run due to the amount of energy it consumes.
Therefore, can there be a more logical choice?? I think not. Go save some big money at Menards and buy your umbrella line.
Look, Mom, Look! 
June 3, 2008 at 3:46 pm
In answer to your ‘how much money can I save’ question, I have been a dedicated line-dryer for many years. I have a gas dryer and am not on the budget plan, therefore I can see exactly how much money I am saving per month by not drying 14 loads a week. I am able to get my gas bill down to $20 or less per month, and I take great pride in the month it was actually only $12. If that isn’t incentive enough, I truly believe it is a quicker way to do laundry. Do you know how your dryer seems to always play catch-up when you spend an entire day doing laundry? When you line dry you can wash and hang all day long and fold in the afternoon when they’re dry. I honestly think it is easier than running up and down stairs all day. And the way those sheets smell….
June 3, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I’ll say you got a great bargain!
I was expecting running a dryer to cost much more than that…of course in a few years it very well might given the way energy costs are rising!
June 3, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I was going to post about this on my blog this week as the New England weather is great in the spring and summer to line dry. I must admit that I live in a neighborhood…where shall I say..a clothesline would maybe be frowned upon. RIDICULOUS. I know. That said I figured out a way to make it happen anyways last year. I purchased a retractable line, attached one end to our swingset/climber and hid the hook in a tree a few yards away…IT does the trick! I hang out my clothes and then snap…it disappears when I am done! If you are feeling stuck like me..it is a GREAT GREEN SOLUTION!
http://www.greengirlfriend.blogspot.com
June 3, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I have yet to let my line dried clothes venture out of my basement, but if I do I like this kind of clothesline. We had one growing up. Memories… Yes the $$ isn’t as fantastic as I had hoped, but I’m glad you put the annual amount. Now, what can I spend $80 on?
June 4, 2008 at 2:38 am
Wow! Congratulations on your new purchase – it’s amazing what gets us excited these days, isn’t it! LOL! Let us know how it works for you!