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Install an outdoor clothes line. Heat from the sun and the flow of air will dry your clothes.
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An indoor clothes rack may take longer to dry, but it is an energy efficient alternative to the clothes dryer.
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Dry full loads whenever possible but don’t overload the machine.
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Clean the lint trap after every load. A clogged lint trap can increase energy use up to 30 per cent and may be a fire hazard.
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Try to start your second load of drying as soon as the first is finished. That way, the dryer will still be warm – and you will save energy.
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Make sure your clothes are wrung out well before putting them in the dryer.
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Separate your loads into heavy, medium and lightweight items – lighter loads will take less drying time than a mixture of items.
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Don’t leave clothes in the dryer too long. Over-drying not only uses more electricity but also increases shrinkage and wrinkles. Clothes should dry in 40 minutes to one hour.
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Use your dryer's "cool down" cycle – usually the "permanent-press" setting. No heat is supplied in the last few minutes, but drying continues as cool air is blown through tumbling clothes.
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Keep your dryer's outside exhaust clean. A clogged exhaust lengthens drying time and increases energy use.