OSC: Change is Addicting

One thing I have noticed since starting our One Small Change Project (a project where we ask you to make 1 small eco friendly change at a time) is that making these eco friendly changes is addicting.  Once you make and conquer your first change, you can't wait to start on another one...you start thinking more about sustainability and little ways you can make a difference.  Am I right?  Do you feel the same way?

My latest change was to get back to hanging my laundry to dry...I committed to hanging it at least once a week.  What I have found is that I want to hang it each and every time (the nice weather is very helpful) and when I use my dryer I feel a bit guilty.  I know that there will be days when my dryer is a must and that is the beauty of living in the times we do, however I still get much more of a charge when outside hanging things up. 

If you are thinking of hanging your laundry to dry, I am hear to tell you it is truly amazing...sounds weird, I know, but it is.  You get a sense of peace and happiness and it becomes something you crave.  The peaceful feelings are a great benefit, but let's think about all the other benefits!  You save money, you are setting a good example in your neighborhood, it is eco friendly, your clothes will last longer, you are getting outside, your clothes will feel and smell so fresh, you might even make a friend with another neighbor outside hanging their laundry.  Doing something so simple, yet so normal and beneficial is an easy one small change you can make today.  And even if you don't have a laundry line, you can still do it.  I tied up hemp string from a nail in the side of my house to a tree and then to an old patio umbrella...works great!  Dryers have been around for less than 100 years and although we love the convenience, we don't need to use them every time.

If all this doesn't convince you, here is some proof of the money savings on hanging your laundry to dry.  Last summer I hung my laundry every time and this summer I used my dryer every single time.  Our electric bill was $30 more each month this summer than last.  It takes me 10 minutes to hang my laundry and I would say that 10 minutes is well worth the $30 savings!  Use Mother Nature to dry your clothes!

~How is your change going?  Have you decided on a change yet?  Let me know...here is a list of a few changes folks have made so far.

~Eliminated paper napkins

~Started a compost

~Started making own bread instead of buying store bought

~Joined a local Coop

~Switched to natural soap (Dr. Bronner) for all cleaning needs

~Hanging laundry outside

Share with us your changes so we can keep on encouraging each other!!

**A REQUEST!  I would love it if you would share your laundry drying photos with me.  I have a love of looking at laundry lines and think it would be fun to put together a blog post with all of your photos of your laundry drying.  Please send photos to suzy@hipmountainmama.com.  Thanks!!

OSC: Change is Addicting