After reading this post, don't forget to enter our contest – you could win a new dishwasher. Plus, do you have your own story to tell? Send it to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com (no more than 300 words, please), and you could win one of 30 daily prizes. Today's winner is Kathy Stevenson.

---

I live in a fairly new subdivision that has a no-clothesline restriction. With the laundry of three children, and us, I asked my husband to install a clothesline. I could not imagine anyone reporting me, to whom? Once installed I use it from spring to fall. Even towels dry quickly, and five minutes in the dryer softens them up. I do not hang underwear outside, and I try to get the clothes on the line early on weekends, so if my neighbours are entertaining, they needn't see my "clean" laundry. The hydro bill after my first season with the clothesline went down 25 per cent.I also purchased canvas shopping bags and I have eliminated plastic bags from my home. Now that I have a template, I will be making a fashionable version for every birthday gift for the next year.

---

Thanks to Kathy for sending in her story – and don't forget, if you still haven't entered, there's still time to send your own story to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com. Kathy wins an organic cotton, eco-friendly and Canadian-made Rita bag from Toronto store and online eco-retailer Green Is Black. Today's code word: clothesline Read more: • 7 steps to eco-friendly shopping • Guide to organic and eco-friendly bedding • Doing laundry the eco-friendly way