Letting it All (Well, Most of It) Hang Out

My Lenten challenge was to not use my clothes dryer.

While some hardy souls may hang clothes on outside lines, even during winter, for me the alternative was using a clothes rack and limited line space in my basement. I was already using the clothes rack for some items, like sweaters that instructed me to wash them by hand (hah!) and lay them flat to dry. And, ever since the time twenty-seven years ago when I heard “Honey, you shrunk my jeans” (not an exact quote), I’ve been hang-drying my husband’s jeans and sweatshirts. So, why wasn’t I simply draping the rest of the load on the rack and hanging a few items on a line?

Probably just because I just hadn’t stopped to consider how this simple step could save energy.

I did discover that I needed to adjust the way I did laundry. Medium-sized loads were much easier for the rack to accommodate than large ones. No more Saturday marathons of six loads. But, this also meant that I didn’t have to promptly unload the dryer and fold or hang clothes so they wouldn’t wrinkle.

There was the time when I let the dirty clothes get ahead of me. I really needed at least one of those pair of jeans the next day. I backslid and used the dryer. But, I found that I could dry even jeans on the lowest setting, pull them out while they were still damp, hang them up and have them fully dry within half a day.

Must also admit that when spring finally came and we took the comforter off the bed, my husband used the big washer and dryer at a coin laundry. In our defense, I’ll note this comforter enabled us to turn the heat down to 58 degrees at night.

I do plan to continue letting it (laundry, of course!) mostly hang out. No, I don’t know exactly how much energy it saves. I thought about researching this, but then decided that rack drying is such a simple thing to do that if it saves any energy, it’s worthwhile.

And, that has made me ask “How many other almost effortless steps could I take to save energy and reduce my carbon footprint?”

I’m a fanatic about turning off lights. But how about adding to my repertoire unplugging appliances and media when I’m done using them? Using the smaller toaster oven rather than the big oven? Forgoing the hair dryer – as my hairdresser has been counseling me for years to do?

These small actions become habits, but not mindless ones. Each time I perform one, I am reminded of my obligation as an energy consumer, as a citizen, and as a person of faith to care for the Earth and all its creatures. In this way, small actions lead to bigger personal and political commitments. They are also opportunities to say, “Make us always thankful for your loving providence . . . and grant that we may be faithful stewards of your good gifts.”

About the Author: Ruth Ratliff serves on Iowa IPL’s Board of Directors.

Final Note: This was the last week of Iowa IPL's Lenten Blog. Thank you to everyone who participated. Since this was our first time doing such a project, we would welcome your feedback. Did you find it useful? Is this something you would like to see us continue to do in during future Lents? Email your thoughts to Tim Fink at director@iowaipl.org. In the meanwhile, we hope that all of you have a wonderful Easter.