Clothesline weather comes to our neighborhood

Our clothesline, circa fall 2011.

For the fourteen years that we've been married, my husband has done the laundry, from sorting to folding and putting the clothes away. I don't mind other indoor chores — dishes, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, dusting, etc. — but I've never liked laundry. I'm thankful he has always been willing to do it.

That's why I felt a little guilty suggesting we get a clothesline years ago. It's more work, for him.

At the time, I wasn't thinking about reducing our carbon footprint. I'm not even sure I was aware of climate change at the time. My goal was simply to reduce our electricity bill, especially during the hot months when the air-conditioner is in constant use.

But my husband was up for the challenge. We bought a pop-up clothesline, which can be seen in the background in the photo above, that he can haul out to the yard when needed and put away when the laundry is done.

I don't know how long ago that was, but all these years later, he still hangs clothes out to dry on warm laundry days, even on warmer winter days. But, he told me recently, he uses the dryer more than he used to. It's easier on him on very hot days, which we have plenty of, but he said he'd like to get back to hanging out most clothes as we both seek to reduce our electricity use.

So I may need to change my no laundry policy. I have no intention of taking it over completely, but I am willing to help him hang out clothes if it means making our carbon footprint even just a little bit smaller.