Le-e-e-et the su-unshine…let the sun-shine in….the su-unshine i-in….le-e-et…the sun-shine…. le-et the sunshine….
Are you at least humming the tune now?
Yes, we have finally have some sunshine!

I am so very excited to report that the solar dryer is back in business, at least for today. There is still a slight bit of dampness in the air, but the winds and sunshine will more than overcome that one small obstacle.

Harmony and understanding…. that we must all become better stewards of our earth.

Did you know that electric clothes dryers account for approximately 5-10% of all residential electricity useage in the United States?  According to Project Laundry List, hanging laundry could save the average household more than $100 on a household electric bill, and that clothes dryer fires account for about 15K structure fires a year. That is pretty impressive, but if the money aspect doesn’t move you to action, maybe the facts that your clothes last longer, or that sunlight is one of the best bleaches/disinfectant, your clothes smell like a summer vacation, or  the big kahuna of them all….it CONSERVES ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT will cause you to ponder for a moment the possibilities of our own solar dryer.
My very own makeshift clothesline has gone through two (very ugly) design tests, neither which will be permanent, but I DO have a line…errr….solar dryer. This may sound bizarre to some, but my day got instantly better in the realization that I would be ablet to hang clothes today.

While perusing Project Laundry List, I discovered that there are no longer any wooden clothespin manufacturers in America. The Penley Corp. clothespin plant closed in December of 2002 and now imports clothespins and other goods for resale. I found that to be a bit depressing.

I am going to leave you now with The 5th Dimension and Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In….

The laundry is piling up, so I think I am going to be forced to used the electric dryer. I had thought about at least doing loads of handwash articles and hanging them up inside, but the humidity is too high. I would just be having to wash them again because of the odor that usually follows from trying to dry clothes in a damp basement, during a very humid, rainy period. Guess I will have to find some offsets elsewhere.

My self-fashioned clothesline bit the dust (again) the other day and I have been researching for the best type of line to construct. Unfortunately, I just cannot figure out the best location for permanent poles and line. My file with ideas is growing and I hope to be sharing bits and pieces soon. Today, though, I think I will share this humorous look at hanging laundry. These past couple of days have brought some heartache into our lives and I certainly can use some “light” fun.

Enjoy!