ZERO WASTE: Why I love my JÄLL Drying Rack

Reducing waste isn't just about swapping plastic for glass or metal, it's also about making little changes at home that minimize the impact we have on the environment. In my case, there's only so much I can do with the things I have on hand, as I live with my parents, but there's an incentive to find creative ways to deal with electric power usage. Enter the JÄLL Drying Rack, that I bought when looking for a small drying rack for my small room "apartment". 

Disclaimer: I'm not sponsored by IKEA in any way nor do I have affiliate or discount codes. 

So right off the bat, it's a simple drying rack that folds itself flat and can be stored away anywhere that can accommodate it. I simply put it behind the door and go off on my merry way. It's been...interesting to explain to people why I have a drying rack in my room. Most of my family have written things off as me being eccentric (they're not wrong) but back to the JÄLL Drying Rack. It has 8 "lanes" that can a fair amount of clothes to air dry, a fact I try to use as best as I can. I've been slowly edging out using my parents' drying machine. Drying machines are electric power hogs that can cost a lot in terms of spending electricity. Side note: the author of the site quoted on this link admits this page hasn't been updated in years, but the savings tool does help calculate a rough estimate. 

Laundry is not the most effective way to lower waste, especially when it comes to drying. In a fast-paced world that values instant problem solutions over what is environmentally friendly, line-drying or air drying is terribly inefficient, especially when you have a somewhat minimal wardrobe and you only have so many jeans. My approach to laundry (which should be its own post) is very much:

1. Spot wash or hand-wash whenever possible or if I have the time to do so. 

2. Wash my clothes every set day nice and early (Weekends and Wednesdays are the choice by excellence)

3. Air-dry throughout the day, doing everything else I need to do. 

I always have at least a few day's worth of outfits (including underwear) because I believe that leaving all the laundry out for one day makes for an incredibly inefficient day and week. Once upon a time, I even made outfits for the entire work-week (a habit I should honestly resume because it cuts down on decision fatigue) but always had a chance to wash my clothes. Eventually I'll ease myself out using the dryer machine entirely, as I'm fully aware that when I do move out, the place won't have a dryer. 

The JÄLL Drying Rack definitely holds half my usual laundry, particularly jeans and delicate fabric clothes that may get damaged or shrink in the dryer. Lord knows I've lost a few blouses and pants to shrinkage. It is a bit wobbly and seems very light and inexpensive. Because it is, at $9.99, it's the least expensive drying racks I've seen that aren't made of plastic. It has charm just hanging out in a corner in my room while used, and then disappears behind the door when it's not being used. 

Overall, I really do enjoy the JÄLL Drying Rack, allowing me to have an alternative to the dryer machine. It's a bit shaky but it will suit small space needs. Let me know in the comments how do you feel about air-drying clothes and what your experiences have been with drying racks or reducing energy consumption in your life!

- SP