leave 'em hanging on the line

Now that the weather's getting warmer, it's time to think about drying your clothes on the line.

OK, we know it's a bold concept, but consider this ...

Clothes dryers account for 6% of the electricity used by U.S. households.

Wow! So line-drying can not only help save the planet ... it can help save on your power bill.

Another major upside to line-drying your clothes -- aside from being romantically retro -- is that amazingly fresh, dried-by-the-sun smell you just can't get from a dryer.

Major upside No. 3: Instead of using harmful chlorine bleach, you can let the sun brighten your whites naturally.

But there's also a potential downside ...

Hanging a clothesline isn't allowed in some places. So check with your city or homeowners association to see if they're cool with the practice.

If you're not, er, crossing a line by hanging a line, then choose a place with ample sunshine (of course) and be considerate of your neighbors. (Don't hang your line so it blocks anyone's view -- common sense stuff like that.)

It's been great hanging with you!

Is line-drying in your future?

Photo courtesy of Retna. (photographer: James Veysey / Camera Press / Retna)