Amazing Spanish Energy Saving Innovation

[+Green Blog]

It’s called a clothes line. What you do is you connect a piece of string between two points so that it is taught and then you put wet clothing on it. This can be done inside or outside and it saves you a bunch of money as well as lowering your carbon footprint since you don’t need the materials for a dryer or the energy that it takes to run the machine. There are also a bunch of other advantages to your clothing by line (for example your clothing won’t shrink).

I don’t know the official figures about Spanish clothes line use but anecdotal evidence suggests that a majority of Spaniards use them, my host mother is no exception. It’s a bit cold outside so it takes a while for everything to dry and there is only so much space on the line so you the load size is kind of small but that’s fine with me since it lowers my carbon footprint. It’s funny how higher energy prices are leading us back to simpler times and back to devices we used to use for hundreds of years and the whole thing about the simplest solution is often the best one.

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[only_green_no_gray]

LoooooL

If knew this was such an unusual thing in other countries i would already told you about this "advanced" technique:P

[mountainhiker]

LoooooL

If knew this was such an unusual thing in other countries i would already told you about this "advanced" technique:P

Yes, remember this high tech device from my childhood, had one in the back yard and the back yard of all of our neighbors. Did seem to be adversely effected by rain thought!

[brettbh]

I tried the "clothes line" without much success. I suspended our laundered clothes on the device but, within 60 seconds, they became as rigid as steel sheets. The clothes softened-up once brought inside, but then became damp again.

Maybe I didn't follow the instructions correctly ....

[mountainhiker]

I tried the "clothes line" without much success. I suspended our laundered clothes on the device but, within 60 seconds, they became as rigid as steel sheets. The clothes softened-up once brought inside, but then became damp again.

Maybe I didn't follow the instructions correctly ....

As I recall the trick is not to do it outside when the temp is below freezing! In the winter you use a clothes rack to dry them.

[brettbh]

As I recall the trick is not to do it outside when the temp is below freezing! In the winter you use a clothes rack to dry them.

Really? Well, that makes it about as useful as a cell phone in these here parts!

[mountainhiker]

Really? Well, that makes it about as useful as a cell phone in these here parts!

LOL, understand, we would have the same problem here, on the side of a mountain and the wind would beat them to death on most days. My cell phone does work but only because there is a cell tower off to the north on another mountain. :D

[brettbh]

My cell phone does work but only because there is a cell tower off to the north on another mountain.

We have to travel about 100 km before we can get coverage and so let the contracts expire expired when we moved here. And I must say, I don't miss it in the slightest!

[Bobby]

I believe this alternative drying method is used in South Africa too although in some parts if you don't then iron your clothes, small fly larvae which were hatched in the fabric, burrow into your skin where they feast on your living flesh - hatching out as fully grown worms...

Sounds like a sci-fi movie (and isn't so bad) but you need to know the pro's and con's to these things...

Personally I use the "washing line" inside my house except I substitute the line for a specially made device which is made from wood or metal (depending on which model you go with), this combats the problem of freezing and wind-blown laundry although watching someone dash across a field trying to catch a wind swept pair of knickers is still a favourite past time of mine.

[brettbh]

In some parts if you don't then iron your clothes, small fly larvae which were hatched in the fabric, burrow into your skin where they feast on your living flesh - hatching out as fully grown worms...

New miracle diet! Lose half your body weight in 14 days without eating less or exercise!

[Simon]

I believe this alternative drying method is used in South Africa too although in some parts if you don't then iron your clothes, small fly larvae which were hatched in the fabric, burrow into your skin where they feast on your living flesh - hatching out as fully grown worms...

Sounds like a sci-fi movie (and isn't so bad) but you need to know the pro's and con's to these things...

Thank the gods I live in Scandinavia! ;)