Let it all hang out

Call it the slow laundry movement. Premier Dalton McGuinty announced Friday that restrictions banning clotheslines from ground-level homes have been lifted, a coup for Toronto residents who see hanging their laundry to dry as the “greener” way. The move could help curb the city’s electricity usage, reduce pollution and keep money in consumers’ pockets. Dryers use an average of 900 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, or about 6% of residential energy consumption, according to energy minister Gerry Phillips.

Toronto Hydro is getting involved by offering consumers a breezy and retro-chic way to reduce their environmental footprint and manage energy costs with the launch of a new energy conservation program called Take A Load Off Toronto.

Through the Take A Load Off program, consumers can receive one of 75,000 free retractable clotheslines from Toronto Hydro, as well as instant discounts on specialty compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and cold water washing detergent. Check out Toronto Hydro’s website for dates and participating locations.

If don’t live in a house, though, you’re out of luck. Clotheslines are still banned in apartment buildings and condos due to safety concerns, said a spokesperson for the premier’s office.