Apartment dwellers can save too
Paul Gay
July 11, 2007
Millions of Americans living in apartments are as eager to save on energy costs as the homeowner. Although living in a place where an outdoor clothesline is not practical, you can still dry your clothes without using an energy sucking dryer. Let's take a look at some of the more common low-cost tools available.
Drying rack: These are simple accordion type devices, usually made of wood or plastic dowels, which can be opened for use and folded for storage. They typically stand on the floor and take up very little space, but can hold several articles of laundry.
Laundry airer: These devices have been around for years, however most people know little about them. The only requirement is a high ceiling. Many apartments have several cubic yards of unused space directly overhead. Airers are dowel and pulley devices which can be lowered, loaded with laundry and pulled back up to the ceiling for drying.
Retractable dryer: These come in single, double or multilane units which usually stretch across an open area and hook to an opposing wall. Since they are spring loaded, they can be retracted when not in use.
Ceiling dryer: These are usually steel framed devices which mount directly on the ceiling. The rails can be hand-cranked down to load laundry and then raised. Obviously a high ceiling is a must for these.
Free standing dryer: Over the past few years several devices have hit the market which can be picked up and moved anywhere you need a clothesline. Most are metal or plastic framed devices with lines that can be used indoors or out. They fold up when not in use.
Telescopic dryer: These devices extend out away from a wall with two arms that hold multiple lines. Once extended, several feet of drying space is available. Just retract the arms when not in use.
The one thing indoor dryers have in common is their ability to nearly disappear when not in use. A very handy attribute for people with limited space. Remember, drying the old fashioned way dramatically prolongs the life of the clothes and saves you money in energy costs. It's certainly worth the effort.
For examples of these drying devices please visit www.clotheslineshop.com
Drying rack: These are simple accordion type devices, usually made of wood or plastic dowels, which can be opened for use and folded for storage. They typically stand on the floor and take up very little space, but can hold several articles of laundry.
Laundry airer: These devices have been around for years, however most people know little about them. The only requirement is a high ceiling. Many apartments have several cubic yards of unused space directly overhead. Airers are dowel and pulley devices which can be lowered, loaded with laundry and pulled back up to the ceiling for drying.
Retractable dryer: These come in single, double or multilane units which usually stretch across an open area and hook to an opposing wall. Since they are spring loaded, they can be retracted when not in use.
Ceiling dryer: These are usually steel framed devices which mount directly on the ceiling. The rails can be hand-cranked down to load laundry and then raised. Obviously a high ceiling is a must for these.
Free standing dryer: Over the past few years several devices have hit the market which can be picked up and moved anywhere you need a clothesline. Most are metal or plastic framed devices with lines that can be used indoors or out. They fold up when not in use.
Telescopic dryer: These devices extend out away from a wall with two arms that hold multiple lines. Once extended, several feet of drying space is available. Just retract the arms when not in use.
The one thing indoor dryers have in common is their ability to nearly disappear when not in use. A very handy attribute for people with limited space. Remember, drying the old fashioned way dramatically prolongs the life of the clothes and saves you money in energy costs. It's certainly worth the effort.
For examples of these drying devices please visit www.clotheslineshop.com
Print
Email
