Why You Should Avoid Dryer Sheets Posted by → February 16, 2015 at 2:10 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Home Living Tips Dryer sheets are a massive waste of money. This reason alone would be enough to warrant tossing your dryer sheets out once and for all. As we will outline in this article, there are plenty of other good reasons to kiss those smelly dryer sheets goodbye. An Unnecessary Expenditure Many people continue to use dryer sheets out of habit. But even if everything about dryer sheets was simply wonderful, they do cost money and lots of it. If you are using a dryer sheet every time you dry a load of laundry, then guess what? You’re losing your shirt, no pun intended. Imagine that instead of buying dryer sheets, you invested that money instead and took advantage of compound interest over a period of twenty years? The end result would be pretty attractive little nest egg. The typical box of 240 dryer sheets cost between $10 and $15 dollars, and there are top end dry sheets that are roughly triple that costs. One brand in particular costs about $10 for just 80 sheets. These are, of course, online prices. Purchasing in the store is even more expensive. If you decide to use dryer sheets for 20 years and many people do out of habit, then you can expect to pay between $300 to $900 assuming that you average one load of laundry per day. Little expenses add up. The bottom line is that you have better ways to spend your money than tossing it in your dryer! A Very Unhealthy Habit Now that we have the money issue out of the way, lets get to something even more important, your health and the health of your family. Dryer sheets contain chemicals and compounds that may very well damage human health. That slickly marketed “fresh scent” is usually nothing more than a carefully created concoction of chemicals that reduce the quality of your air. Dryer sheets are soaked in chemicals, many of which are quite toxic. In a bit of a shocker, dryer sheets have compounds such as butane, chloroform, formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals. The chemicals found in dryer sheets range from upper respiratory irritants, such as benzyl alcohol, to much more serious chemicals, such as chloroform, which is a well known carcinogen. Other chemicals are even more alarming, such as ethanol, which can cause problems with the nervous system and other chemicals that can damage the kidneys. If you are chemically sensitive, then dry sheets are very bad news. Those with chemical sensitivity issues also find that dryer sheets can make their conditions worse. Seeing as how this product can easily be avoided, the solution is clear. Just avoid dryer sheets. The chemicals found in dryer sheets get heated up during the drying process. This factor, of course, makes the chemicals even more dangerous. If you have ever walked by a house that this pumping out fumes from its dryer and thought, “This smells awful,” well, there is a reason that you feel that way. The air produced by dryer exhaust is full of chemicals if the homeowner is using dryer sheets. It is important to remember that once on clothing it is possible for these chemicals to continue to harm human health. Chemicals can be breathed in or absorbed through the skin. In short, there is nothing good about dryer sheets and plenty that is bad. If you are wondering how these products are able to remain on the market, you are, of course, not alone. It is also astonishing that dryer sheet manufacturers have no apparent interest in making products that are safer for consumers. Scientific Evidence If you are still not convinced, then you might want to check out a study conducted at the University of Washington. In this study, Professor Anne Steinemann set out study the air quality coming out of dryer vents. The results were many things, but they were not pretty. Progressor Steineman’s study went beyond dryer sheets and looked at laundry products as a whole. Next Professor Steinemann and her team tested the air coming out of the vents to discover harmful carcinogens, such as beneze and acetaldehyde. http://www.washington.edu/news/2011/08/24/scented-laundry-products-emit-hazardous-chemicals-through-dryer-vents/ It should also be noted that Professor Steinemann most definitely qualifies as an expert on the topic of air pollution, indoor air quality and its impact on human health. She is a Professor of Civil Engineering and Chair of Sustainable Cities, at The University of Melbourne, Australia. She has been published in 50+ journals, has written textbooks and been cited as an expert by the Wall Street Journal, Scientific America, USA Today, Washington Post and many other publications. The Best Choice for Your Family When it comes to protecting your health and that of your family, you owe it to yourself to avoid products that are dangerous. The smell you are getting from dryer sheets is a dangerous one and you should avoid it at all cost. The real savings from ditching dryer sheets may not even be financially derived. Instead, the real savings may be reducing your risk of developing diseases. The good news is that those who switch to using clotheslines usually never miss their clothes dryer or dryer sheets at all. In fact, they find that the air and sunlight gives their laundry a remarkably pleasant natural scent. The fresh aroma of clothing dried in the sun truly cannot be topped 0 Comments
Spooky Hanging Hallowe’en Decorations Posted by → October 27, 2014 at 10:50 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry News and Events If you live in northern climes where it is getting too cold to hang dry your laundry outside, don’t give up on your clothesline yet. It’s almost Hallowe’en, and for some reason, scary things float or hang. Many 3D clothes dryers such as folding frames will hold artificial cobwebs. Hanging Hallowe’en items can get as gross or as classical as you like. I like the idea of ghosts: They are light colored enough to show up at night. They blow in the wind. They might even make your rotary clothesline rotate. You could add a temporary weathervane to the center to make it rotate more easily. DIY Hallowe’en decor that hangs and won’t be ruined outside should be all over the web by now. I’ll start you with these absolutely ominous heads-on-sheets ghosts by Ashley Phipps. Do you have any ideas or pics of hanging decor using laundry lines? Go thank Ashley 0 Comments
Using an Outdoor Retractable Clothesline – Top Tips for Softer Clothing Posted by Helen J. Christensen → May 07, 2013 at 1:44 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry Home Living Tips Using an outdoor retractable clothesline is wonderful for saving energy and hanging clothing outdoors gives clothing a wonderful, fresh smell. However, one complaint that many people have is that this method often leaves clothing feel stiff instead of soft and comfortable. To ensure your clothing is nice and soft when you bring it in from the clothesline, here are a few important tips you should follow. Tip #1 – Purchase Top Quality Clothespins Clothespins are important when you plan to hang clothes outdoors. Avoid purchasing cheap clothespins. Investing in top quality clothespins will help ensure you get the softest clothing possible. Quality clothespins should not leave marks on clothing and should be sturdy enough to allow you to use as few clothespins on clothes as possible. The more clothespins you use the more creases you may have on clothing. Tip #2 – Shake Clothes Well Before you hang clothing out to dry, make sure you shake each item out well. Shaking helps get rid of wrinkles in the clothes. You’ll also find that shaking each item well before hanging will help ensure clothing is as soft as possible when done drying. Tip #3 – Avoid Leaving Clothing out Too Long It’s also important to avoid leaving clothing out on the line too long. Clothing should only be left out until nearly dry to ensure maximum softness. Bring clothes inside and hang for the last few minutes of drying time for the best results. Tip #4 – Don’t Put Clothes Directly in the Sun Many people think that they should hang clothes up in direct sun for the best results. While direct sunlight may help clothes dry more quickly, direct sunlight can lead to stiffness in the clothing. Direct sunlight may also fade darker items, which is something you want to avoid. Although you want a bit of sunlight on the clothes, dry to hang clothing in areas that are night directly in the sun. Tip #5 – Hang Clothing Carefully Hanging clothing carefully will also help you enjoy softer clothing, even when drying clothes on a line outdoors. For tops and shirts, it’s best to hang them by the garment’s hem. For jeans, skirts and pants, hang from the waistband. This helps reduce wrinkling and improves softness. Tip #6 – Clean Clothespins Carefully Clothespins can easily become dirty and you don’t want to use dirty clothespins on clean clothes. Make sure you clean clothespins after each use and ensure they are clean before you use them to fasten clothes to the line. Tip #7 – Quality Fabric Softener is Essential Soft clothing begins with good fabric softener. If you aren’t using quality softener in the wash, you will probably have a tough time keeping clothing soft out on the line. Spend a bit more for a top quality fabric softener and you’ll find that clothing ends up softer. Tip #8 – Hang Clothing where it gets a Nice Breeze Last, hanging clothes where they get a nice breeze while on the clothesline is important. The breeze is what helps to dry clothing quickly while keeping them soft. Position your retractable clothesline in an area that gets a nice breeze for the softest clothing.If you are ready to learn more on clothesline simply contact us for more details on how to get started. 0 Comments
Living on the Cheap: Saving Money at Home Posted by Lana R. Deweese → April 16, 2013 at 8:28 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Environment Frugal living at home is the best way to be able to afford that vacation in a few months, or to take your family to that fancy restaurant next week. Not only will cutting back on expenses at home help you to save money, but it will help you to reduce energy costs, teach your children wise money-handling habits, and keep your home in working condition for years to come. Here are some nifty ways to save money at home: Hang to Dry – The dryer is the most useless appliance in your home, and it’s just raising your gas and electric bill. It’s best to use a clothesline to hang clothes, especially during the spring and autumn months. Hang clothes later in the afternoon during the summer, and only consider using a dryer if your winter months are very cold or rainy. Get Rid of Frill Foods – Do you really need to serve your family chicken nuggets for dinner, or could you whip up a healthier meal in the same amount of time using natural, healthy ingredients? Too many families rely on instant meals, but they will be bad for your health as well as for your wallet. Buy raw ingredients, and cook meals for much less. Consider Your Appliances – Is it absolutely necessary to have a TV and a computer in every room? Not only will it make it harder for your kids to sleep, but you’ll find that you’ll use a lot more power. Keep your electric bill low by reducing the extra appliances, and only keep what you really need. Switch to Gas – Using a gas heater may not be as safe as using an electric one, but it will cut costs drastically. Switching over to a gas boiler and water heater will also be cheaper, and the same goes for using a gas stove. If it can be powered by cheaper natural gas, consider switching. Spend Time Together – When your family members are in three or four different rooms, all of the lights and appliances in those rooms will be on. The best way to keep your electric bill low is to spend more time together. By being in the same room, you’ll just have one set of lights and one AC unit running at all times. Decorate Cheaply – Decorating can be expensive, especially if your family has costly tastes. Find ways to decorate cheaply, such as using printed out pictures in fancy frames, making DIY decorations, and buying nifty little trinkets from Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores. Reduce Waste – If you throw away a lot of food, you’re throwing your money into the trash. Try and reduce the amount of food that you cook, as it will help to reduce the amount of food that sits in the fridge as leftovers. Not only will fewer leftovers mean less energy needed to keep your fridge cool, but you’ll spend less on your weekly shopping as well. If you’re ready to find out how an indoor clothesline can change your way of living for the better, simply contact us so we can help you pick the product that is perfect for your needs. 0 Comments
A Guide to the Different Types of Clotheslines Posted by Lavon O. Collins → February 12, 2013 at 9:23 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry There are obviously many benefits of drying clothes out in the open, but with so many different types of clotheslines available, deciding which type is the best can be quite tricky. Are you thinking about buying a clothesline to dry your clothes but are feeling confused about which one to choose from the various available options. So, take a look at the features, advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular models of clotheslines available on the market today. Fixed Head Rotary Clothesline This type is known as a fixed head rotary clothesline because the head of this clothesline cannot be folded down and away but it rotates around. Many homeowners are using this type of clotheslines in their homes since it is the oldest type of clothesline. This is perhaps the most robust and strong type of clothesline. If you usually dry large loads of clothes at one time, then this type of clothesline will be perfect for you. Apart from rotating, the head of the clothesline can also be raised to allow you to easily add and remove laundry. However, if you intend to use this type of clothesline, make sure you have a lot of space in your backyard or garden. Fold Down or Folding Frame Laundry Drying Rack This is another type of popular clothesline and quite modern than the previous one. As the name suggests, when you are not using this type of clothesline, you can fold it down. Although you are supposed to mount this type of a clothesline to a wall, you will also find those that can be fixed into the ground as well. Folding frame clotheslines are available in a variety of sizes as well. If you do not want your clothesline to be noticeably visible, then this type will be ideal for you. You can choose it a color that will make it blend with the wall you will mount it to. Since this type of clothesline does not occupy much space it also does not have enough line space and is not suitable for large families. Retractable Clotheslines This is perhaps the most modern type of clotheslines available today. This type of clothesline is designed to have a cabinet-like shape and has to be mounted to a wall. Typically, there are about four to six retractable lines inside cabinet that can be stretched out and attached to a book mounted on a wall at the opposite side. This type of clothes is particularly ideal for indoor drying or can even be used outdoors if you have a limited space. Depending on the model you purchase, the lines can be stretched between 30 to 50 meters. Despite being a modern type of clothes it is still quite cheap. However, make sure you avoid those that have a plastic cabinet. Although you will have enough room on the lines to hang clothes, hanging large loads is not recommended. There are probably quite a few other types of clotheslines and laundry drying racks, such folding rotary, umbrella, and various other types of portable and wall mounted clotheslines. However, these three are the most popular choices and one of them will definitely suit your clothes drying needs. If you are ready to learn more on different types of clothesline contact us for more details. 0 Comments
An Indoor Clothesline is Convenient and Eco-Friendly Posted by Toby → December 26, 2012 at 10:56 AM under Clotheslines and Laundry There are many reasons to consider an indoor clothesline. From wanting to save money on electricity and being eco-friendly to enjoying the benefits of saving space in small areas, indoor clotheslines are perfect for many families. For instance, those that don’t have access to a dryer can use this indoor option any time they choose and they won’t have to worry about a high power bill. An indoor clothesline is more friendly to the environment. It doesn’t waste power and it doesn’t use dryer sheets or chemicals to get that clean, fresh smell. You get to save space with a wall-mounted indoor clothesline. These retract so that when they are not in use you won’t have to worry about it being in the way. In fact, these can even be stored if needed. An indoor clothesline is easy to use. It is simple to hang up your laundry indoors and you never have to worry about inclement weather. Whether you enjoy being “green” by using a clothesline or simply want to save money, an indoor clothesline makes it easy to hang your laundry up any time you need it, no matter what the temperature or weather is like outside. It allows your family to get back to the basics and doesn’t cost a fortune to do so. In fact, you save a bundle in electricity costs and won’t have to buy fancy dryer products. If you’re ready to find out how an indoor clothesline can change your way of living for the better, simply contact us so we can help you pick the product that is perfect for your needs. 0 Comments
An Outdoor Clothes Line for Sustainable Living Posted by Toby → December 13, 2012 at 12:31 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Whether you are a doomsday prepper or just want to help take care of the environment, an outdoor clothes line is the perfect tool. An outdoor clothes line allows you to dry your laundry without using electricity, dryer sheets, or anything else that isn’t the way Mother Nature intended it. Think of all of the benefits that you will gain from an outdoor clothes line. For one, your energy consumption will go down; a large portion of any energy bill comes from the use of a dryer. Another reason to choose a more eco-friendly way of drying your clothes is because they will simply last longer. The next time you use your clothes dryer check your lint tray. Now, where do you think that lint comes from? Another reason to go the natural way of drying laundry is the fresh air itself. Your clothing, sheets, towels and everything you typically dry in a clothes dryer will smell fresher and cleaner without the use of dryer sheets. In fact, there is no substitution for the scent you get from the great outdoors. On top of all of that, you have the ability of dry your laundry without electricity and this is a perfect option for those that want to be a part of sustainable living. So whether you are preparing for an apocalyptic event or simply want to slow down on your energy consumption, an outdoor clothes line allows you a world of positive benefits. If you are ready to learn more on sustainable living simply contact us for more details on how to get started. 0 Comments
Use An Indoor Clothesline In Winter And Other Great Laundry Room Tips Posted by Tom → December 06, 2012 at 1:27 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Making the switch to an indoor clothesline during the winter months can be an annual event for some homes. As we continue to try to find ways to pinch our laundry dollar and be environmentally friendly at the same time, there are a few other things that you can do today that involve little to no expense and will start giving you positive results immediately. We have collected six ways that you might not have heard of before, that will help you make a real difference: Make your own homemade laundry detergent. This recipe we found online uses inexpensive, tried and true ingredients that even grandma would recommend. Adding just 1/2 a cup of distilled, white vinegar to your rinse water helps remove any traces of detergent residue which can cause stiffness or create a reaction for sensitive individuals. The best of our 100% natural cleaning product suggestions is the powerful little lemon, which when mixed with cream of tartar, makes an excellent stain treatment. Add juice to the wash water to freshen, whiten and brighten your laundry. A spray bottle of a half water/half white vinegar solution is also a great stain remover that only costs pennies to make and should be close at hand in every laundry room. To make your ironing more efficient, place a large piece of aluminum foil between the ironing board and the cover. It will help hold more heat and make for faster ironing. It may be possible to avoid the added expense (and deeper carbon footprint) of dry cleaning by cleaning typical dry clean only items at home. You may be able to use a mix of cold wash water and 3 or 4 tablespoons of baking soda instead of chemicals. Make a light paste to test an inconspicuous spot first. We hope that you will find these to be valuable and useful tips to remember as you try to find ways to thoroughly clean your clothes while not contributing to possible environmental damage. Urbanclotheslines.com would like to invite you to contact us to find out more ways to do better laundry, even in these tough economic times, and still be kind to the planet. 0 Comments
How to Easily Use a Retractable Clothesline Posted by Schmit → November 29, 2012 at 12:32 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry Are you thinking of saving money by hanging and drying your clothes instead of turning on the dryer? With a retractable clothesline, you can simply hang up your clothing and wait for them to air dry. This will save you money in the long run and it is actually very efficient. These types of clotheslines can be used indoors and outdoors and are quite easy to set up. Keep these tips in mind if you’re planning on purchasing a retractable clothesline for your future laundry use. Pick the Ideal Location Before setting up your new clothesline you will need to determine a great spot to put it. If you live in a stormy area, it is best to select a spot inside your home for your retractable clothesline. If you get seasonal weather, try to pick out a spot in your backyard that gets enough sunshine without too much shade. If you have a fence start the line from there to your home. This is an excellent spot since all your clothes will dry as evenly as possible. You can adjust the line to a smaller area if you have less clothing to hang up. Remember to pick a space that is sturdy enough so it won’t fall down and the height should be right at the top of your head. Use Dripping Water to Your Advantage If you are using a retractable clothesline outdoors, you can set a few flower pots underneath your hanging clothes. The dripping water will provide moisture for your plants, so you are essentially killing two birds with one stone. You might want to avoid hanging the clothesline in an area that might track up mud and dirt on your porch or patio. Steady the Mount Once you have mounted your clothesline, it’s a good idea to check how sturdy it really is. Pull down on the line with your hand to see if it loosens the retractable clotheslines grip. If it does, you might need to hammer in a few extra nails to keep it from slipping down. These types of clothesline might need a little extra elbow grease after a months time of use so you should remount it whenever you think its losing its grip. If you’re planning on using a retractable clothesline contact us. We’ll show you are wide selection of readily available retractable clotheslines. 0 Comments
Clothes Lines are Now a Thing of the Present Posted by Toby → November 21, 2012 at 1:02 PM under Clotheslines and Laundry When you think about clothes lines, if you’re old enough you probably picture your grandmother using one in the backyard. Maybe you’ve only seen them in older movies. However, clothes lines are definitely a thing of the future. With hard economic times combined with people wanting a greener environment, clothes lines are the perfect option. Not only can you save money but there are many added benefits to using Mother Nature to dry your laundry. Fresher smelling. There’s nothing like laundry dried outdoors in the sunshine. Not only do you get a fresh scent without having to use laundry dryer sheets but the scent cannot be duplicated out of a box. Lower costs. It doesn’t cost you a thing to dry your laundry on a clothes line. There’s no electricity to use with a dryer and you don’t have to worry about a high power bill due to a power-hungry electric dryer. Better environmental benefits. One way you can help with your carbon footprint is to dry your laundry on a clothes line. You’re not using chemically treated dryer sheets, there’s less waste and you’re not using any electricity to dry the laundry. No matter what the reason is for choosing a clothes line to dry your laundry, you will reap a multitude of benefits. You’re helping out the environment, lowering your costs and you will have the freshest smelling laundry around. 0 Comments
