fighting for your right to dry your clothes

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I have the day off so I’m doing laundry – lots of it. Unless those ominous dark clouds bring rain Some of it is going up on the clothesline I can see from where I’m sitting at my computer.

In some parts of North America, this would be a no-no. CBC Radio did a story last week about Aurora, Ont., north of Toronto, where clotheslines are barred in some new subdivisions. I did some Googling and learned that in many parts of the U.S. drying clothes outside is also banned. Apparently, some developers (and homeowners, presumably) think your towels, T-shirts and underwear are an eyesore. Some people have had to start “Right to Dry” campaigns. (Of course, there are many web pages about this, including this one and this one.

This reminded me of some friends who hung clothes outside a few years ago and then had to contend with an angry neighbour, right here in Montreal. There was a pounding on their door. An enraged elderly woman was on the other side: You’re not starting with this! This isn’t Point St. Charles, you know!” No, it was Belgrave Ave., between Sherbrooke St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd.

What’s the big deal? If the environmental effects don’t cause you concern, consider the money saved by hanging at least some of your clothes outside. Dryers are major power hogs. Ontario’s environment department says a standard clothes dryer consumes 900 kWh of energy per year, creating up to 840 kg of air pollution and greenhouse gases. (Here are some tips on using your clothes dryer more efficiently, from Natural Resources Canada).

Now if I could only get my neighbour to oil hers so I don’t have to hear it screech every time she hangs or takes down her wash. And, no, that is not my laundry in the picture.

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