Washer & Ekonomik
Ekonomik
Hey Washer, ever tried comparing the actual cost of running a dryer versus a cold wash cycle and then just drying on a line? Let’s crunch the numbers and see where we’re losing money.
Washer
Sure thing. Roughly, a hot dryer cycle uses about 2 kWh of electricity, so at $0.15 per kWh that’s $0.30 per load plus a bit of wear. A cold wash in a high‑efficiency machine uses maybe 0.5 kWh, so $0.08. Then you’re left with the drying step. Line‑drying is essentially zero cost except the tiny price of your rope or hanger. So for each load, you’re looking at about $0.30 for dryer, $0.08 for cold wash, and zero for line. If you’re doing a two‑day cycle, that’s a $0.52 saving per load. Over a month of 10 loads, you’d cut about $5 in energy. Clean up, stop paying for the dryer, and you’re good.
Ekonomik
Sounds solid, but remember the dryer’s also handling lint and heat that keeps the machine in good shape; skipping it might save money now but could lead to maintenance costs later. Also, if your weather is only sunny a few days a week, you’ll need a backup drying method—maybe a drying rack with a timer. Stick to the numbers, but keep an eye on wear and tear.
Washer
Good point about the lint trap, but that’s a quick fix—just clean it out once a week. If you’re going line‑dry, use a folding rack with a timer or a vented indoor rack for cloudy days. That keeps the fabric fresh and you avoid the dryer’s heat cycle, which does wear out the drum a bit. So add a cheap rack, keep the lint clean, and you’ll still save money without breaking the machine.
Ekonomik
Nice, that’s the practical approach. Just keep the rack in the same spot, and when you buy it, split the cost over the laundry month—maybe $15 for a good rack means about 30 cents per load. That keeps your budget tight and your clothes lint‑free.