Hang your laundry out to dry
I read your column whenever I can. I saved one of your columns, “Tips to Save Electricity,” that was published long ago.
You missed a great opportunity to suggest reviving an old practice: hanging laundry out to dry. It conserves energy, saves money and prolongs the life of clothing or linens. It is a practice rarely seen today.
Many will say, “My community won't allow it.” If you care to do the research, you will find that there are federal statutes that allow measures to be taken for the conservation of energy. Guidelines may be written (e.g., only in your backyard or never on Sundays), but they cannot be totally forbidden.
I am now in my late 80s. Until I moved to a retirement community two years ago, hanging out my laundry was the highlight of my home chores. I usually put the freshly laundered clothing and towels in the dryer for 10 minutes or so, and then hung them out. Sheets and socks went right out on the lines. I had a secluded area where I could hang out underclothes, or they could be hung over a bathtub.
Some will say they are too busy. That can become an easy out for not doing the right thing. I worked long hours, yet I still hung the laundry out. My husband would take it down. By the time he passed away, I had retired, so I did it all. Little things can make such a huge difference. Just think of how much energy and money we could save if even half of our dryers ran for half as long.
Keep up your great work. You have made a huge difference in the lives of many.
— Sally W., Fort Wayne,
Indiana
DEAR READERS ❯❯ Do you have index cards at home in need of use? These humble, versatile and easy-to-store index cards have several purposes. Here are a few:
• Practice hand-lettering.
• Make a shopping list.
• Store some by your home phone for notetaking.
• Write a brief note to someone.
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Make a stencil with an X-acto knife.
• And, of course, you can use them to write down recipes.
DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ When we moved to our new house, I lost my pamphlet that contained your recipe for your Olive Nut Dip and Sandwich Spread. I loved those recipes, especially now with Thanksgiving and Christmas on the way. How do I go about getting another pamphlet?
— Maggie D., Hillsboro,
Oregon
DEAR MAGGIE ❯❯ This is one of my most requested pamphlets. To get a new pamphlet of “Heloise's All-Time Favorite Recipes,”go to Heloise.com. There are so many delicious recipes that you'll even want to give one away as a stocking stuffer for Christmas.
Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.