Using Fresh Air and Sunshine Instead of a Clothes Dryer

Written by: W. A. Swan • Edited by: Jean Scheid
Updated Jun 14, 2011 • Related Guides: Clothes

Ever wonder how to save money on basic daily needs without serious compromise? One method is to dry laundry outside. The question is, how much money can you save by drying your laundry outside?

There is a renewed interest in sustainable living. One effect of this movement is how people are beginning to review their daily or weekly habits in life. A common question environmental advocates ask is why more people are not drying clothes outside instead of using dryers. While not just a fad any longer, drying clothes outside does more than save the environment - it also saves lots of money. So, just how much money can you save by drying your laundry outside?

The Cost of Using a Dryer

According to the California Energy Commission an average clothes dryer will cost in the range of $1,500 to operate over an 18 year lifespan. Regardless of the type of dryer, or the method of power (gas or electric), a dryer will operate the same - using artificially forced hot air to dry clothes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy a clothes dryer uses 6 percent of household electricity per month; Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division translates this into $7 per month using one load per day. If you think using the laundromat dryers are cheaper, think again. Even if you only do three loads per weekly trip you spend $3.75 per week ($15 per month).

Add the Extras

Extras? Don't forget the dryer sheets, the baskets or bags, and the gas for the trip to and from the laundromat. That all adds to the cost of using the clothes dryer. So, let's add another $4 for dryer sheets (using 2010 prices) per month, $5 for the laundry basket or bags and another $3 per gallon gas each way or $6 for gas round-trip. Now, since we do laundry weekly at the laundromat, the gas is at $24 per month; add the dryer sheets and bags to haul laundry ($9) and you have $33 added to the $15 from the total above. So doing laundry at home is actually cheaper. But there is another way to do laundry at home which is even cheaper still.

Cost Savings: Dryer vs. Airdry

How much money can you save by drying your laundry outside? Doing laundry outside on the line saves lots of cost when drying clothes. No dryer sheets needed; the laundry air dries on the line with the breeze which acts as a natural fabric softener. No artificial forced air since wind is powered without gas or electricity; so there is no cost for turning on the dryer. One basket can be used to haul loads outside each time; so there goes the cost of bags. And unless you drive around to the back of the house, there is no cost of gas or wear and tear on the car.

Unseen Savings

The first savings in this category is the longevity of the clothes. Clothes dried in a dryer cause lint; lint is fabric ripped from clothes and gathered up by the dryer in the lint trap. This is because dryers cause fabric to be pounded, piled, pulled, and twisted for long periods of time; this action shortens the life of the clothing. How much money can you save by drying your laundry outside? Add to the above numbers the cost of replacing clothes more often than if the clothes were gently dried outside on a line or rack.

Resources

Dollar Stretcher - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08jul21d.cfm
Solar-Dryer - http://www.solar-dryer.com/index.cfm/page/Solar+Clothes+Dryer+Blog/title/Fire+your+dryer+--+Hanging+out+laundry+saves+money,+environment
California Energy Commission - http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/dryers.html
CSG Network: Electricity Calculators - http://www.csgnetwork.com/elecenergycalcs.html
Michael Bluejay: Cost Calculator - http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/dryers.html

CNC milling Feb 11, 2012 11:01 AM

RE: Using Fresh Air and Sunshine Instead of a Clothes Dryer

If you're shopping for a dryer there are a few things to consider like what the must-have features are and what dryer convenience options you may also want to have. Be prepared before you head out, know what you want in a dryer and your dryer shopping time will be greatly reduced.

W. A. Swan Jan 27, 2012 2:16 PM

Actually, it's the heat, not the humidity that allows mold to grow. Yes they enjoy humid conditions but humidity isn't the single reason. And most mold spores are blown off of clothing as they dry in the air. Indoor vents are against many zoning codes. The reason vents must be vented, as you point out, is that the heat and humidity are retained in the home - this allows mold and mildew to grow. I myself have never had this problem and have been line drying for years.

corsets Jan 27, 2012 10:28 AM

Humidity from these devices increases likelihood of mold, mildew, and <br>bacterial growth inside a home. Indoor venting may also be against local<br> regulations. Gas dryers must be vented outdoors, as the products of <br>combustion are vented along with the moist air.

Mary Jul 3, 2010 10:32 AM

Don't have to dry outside

I air dry my clothes year round on a clothes drying rack. This really works well with my families busy life. I do the first load of laundry during supper time. I then hang it on a rack in the middle of my kitchen when the dishes our done. Then if I need to do a second load I wash them and hang them in the middle of the living room right before going to bed. Both loads are dry by morning and I can sort and fold them right off the racks. Saves money, energy and makes good use of my limited space and time.