Sixty Days Divorced From the Dryer
I'm actually pretty proud of myself to have made it this far. I have been fortunate that is hasn't been all that cold here in Connecticut this year as of yet. I have however hung my clothes in the morning when the temperature was as low as 26 degrees and breezy; with the use of rubber gloves and a warm jacket there were no issues. Setting up the basket inside for a quick hang outside is the most important step. I'm sure the people driving down Route 5 get a chuckle of me out there in my pjs, housecoat and Jeff's slippers early in the morning hanging my clothes wearing bright yellow rubber gloves.
I suppose the big question is: Was it worth it? Our electric bill dropped 36% from the year previous, I'd say it's worth it. I will admit there have been a few other changes like unplugging the washer, microwave and phone chargers when not in use. I have been barking more about the lights and TVs others leave on and it seems to be making them more aware, and they have shut things off more often. More and more of our lights have been switched to the Fluorescent alternative light bulbs. Personally I'd like to cut our electric bill another 25% and I think with a few changes it is very do~able. For starters I need to find the timers for the Christmas lights, it makes a huge difference then ignoring them and leaving them on. We also need the energy saving electrical strips for all of our TVs and gaming systems.
I think the largest change of all to date comes from going from warm or hot water washes to cold with an occasional hot for whites... with the soaking of white socks before they are washed I may be able to give up hot and warm water washes all together... it's my next laundry experiment. Going to cold water wash has decreased our heating oil needs immensely; how much is hard to say but I think I can comfortably say to the tune of $50+ a month.
I am finally on my last bottle of petroleum based laundry detergent and will be moving on to an enzyme based natural laundry detergent and softener. I have purchased essential oil to try in the rinse water for scenting the laundry... I'm pretty excited about it. For the last month or so I have been cutting the traditional stuff in half with 1/4 cup 20 mule borax, and 1/4 cup arm and hammer washing soda in the wash for my front loading washer and 1/3 cup vinegar in the rinse and I have to say my laundry is the happier and cleaner for it. I have 4 bottles of Downy fabric softener to give to my mother, she'll be happy about that. I was a Downy snob, and here I am going commando so to speak and giving it up; almost cold turkey.
Here's to the next 30 days and wondering what they will bring? My first sub~zero temperatures? Snow? A Nor'easter? I just keep telling myself I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. If I make it the winter, the rest is a cake walk; I just need to make it through March... four more months.
I suppose the big question is: Was it worth it? Our electric bill dropped 36% from the year previous, I'd say it's worth it. I will admit there have been a few other changes like unplugging the washer, microwave and phone chargers when not in use. I have been barking more about the lights and TVs others leave on and it seems to be making them more aware, and they have shut things off more often. More and more of our lights have been switched to the Fluorescent alternative light bulbs. Personally I'd like to cut our electric bill another 25% and I think with a few changes it is very do~able. For starters I need to find the timers for the Christmas lights, it makes a huge difference then ignoring them and leaving them on. We also need the energy saving electrical strips for all of our TVs and gaming systems.
I think the largest change of all to date comes from going from warm or hot water washes to cold with an occasional hot for whites... with the soaking of white socks before they are washed I may be able to give up hot and warm water washes all together... it's my next laundry experiment. Going to cold water wash has decreased our heating oil needs immensely; how much is hard to say but I think I can comfortably say to the tune of $50+ a month.
I am finally on my last bottle of petroleum based laundry detergent and will be moving on to an enzyme based natural laundry detergent and softener. I have purchased essential oil to try in the rinse water for scenting the laundry... I'm pretty excited about it. For the last month or so I have been cutting the traditional stuff in half with 1/4 cup 20 mule borax, and 1/4 cup arm and hammer washing soda in the wash for my front loading washer and 1/3 cup vinegar in the rinse and I have to say my laundry is the happier and cleaner for it. I have 4 bottles of Downy fabric softener to give to my mother, she'll be happy about that. I was a Downy snob, and here I am going commando so to speak and giving it up; almost cold turkey.
Here's to the next 30 days and wondering what they will bring? My first sub~zero temperatures? Snow? A Nor'easter? I just keep telling myself I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. If I make it the winter, the rest is a cake walk; I just need to make it through March... four more months.
posted by Colleen Ann at 5:16 AM
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