The simple, nostalgic act of hanging clothes outside to dry, regaining popularity as an eco-friendly act, has become a full-blown political flap. On one side of the line, proponents of the right-to-dry movement say clotheslines are a green alternative to dryers, which are second only to refrigerators and air conditioners as the top energy consumers in most homes.

My grandmother’s clotheslines bisected a postage-stamp size backyard behind her 1920s bungalow in the shadow of Roanoke’s Mill Mountain. I’m told that I looked forward to laundry days as a child visiting her home. I’d watch her fill a large wicker basket with wet clothes out of the washer in the basement, then follow her outside to “help” hang them.

Which side of the clothesline are you on? Is outdoor drying a blight or a delight? Here are arguments for and against the lowly clothesline: PROS Line drying costs nothing once you purchase lines, a rack and pins. It’s estimated homeowners can save about $100 in energy costs per year by using a clothesline instead of a dryer. Clothes off the line have a clean, fresh scent. Line drying eliminates the need for dryer sheets and fabric softeners, which contain perfumes, dyes and other chemicals that can cause allergic reactions in chemically sensitive individuals. Clothes last longer. Tumbling around in a dryer breaks down fibers and causes clothes to wear much more quickly. Sunlight bleaches and disinfects clothing. Hanging clothes is a way to get moderate exercise while enjoying the fresh air. Failing to regularly clean out vents and lint traps can lead to dryer fires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that dryer fires cause $99 million annually in damage. CONS Perception that clotheslines devalue a neighborhood. Some zoning regulations and community covenants prohibit exterior clotheslines. Weather and time of day are limiting factors. Freezing temperatures, rain and short days can preclude clothesline drying. It takes more time to hang clothes than it does to pop them in a dryer. There are more effective means of protecting the environment—hybrid cars, recycling and fluorescent lights. Some experts say line drying produces only a trivial reduction in power usage. People don’t want to look at their neighbors’ intimate clothing. Clothes hung on balconies can fall off onto other balconies or streets.—Julie Young Online resources: Project Laundry List (laundrylist.org), right2dry.org, linedryit.com, preparedtompkins.org, davis-stirling.com.