My wife and I often go for long drives on a Saturday or Sunday. Taking advantage of the recent warm Indian summer weather one Saturday, we ventured out onto unfamiliar country roads. The leaves were turning, becoming that bright fireworks display we sometimes take for granted here in New England. The sharp red, orange, and yellow canvas of Mother Nature was a beautiful sight as we piloted down the road.
Interestingly, one of the colors I could not help noticing was the backdrop of white that was evident. This was not due to the clouds in the sky, but rather, the number of outdoor clothes lines in use. I commented as much to my wife, pointing out the billowing sheets and their smaller counterparts, the pillowcases and articles of clothing swaying in the unusually warm October air. She reminded me of the ever increasing price of gas and its affect on everything we use from cars to lawn mowers, to dryers and dishwashers. Many of these energy conscious individuals were probably also aware of its environmental impact-or I should say, lack thereof.
Once we returned home from our drive, I spent some time researching outdoor clothes lines and found that they are relatively inexpensive to purchase, have very little setup, incur less wear and tear on fabrics than a traditional dryer, and can shave nearly 6% off your energy bill. This, combined with the wonderfully clean and fresh smell of the clothes, makes the decision to purchase an outdoor clothes line a breeze.
