Celebrated on 04/19/2026
National Hanging Out Day, celebrated on April 19, was originally created to promote energy conservation by encouraging people to line-dry their laundry instead of using electric dryers. The average household can save over $200 per year in energy costs by hanging clothes to dry. This simple act also reduces carbon emissions by about 2,400 pounds annually per home.
National Hanging Out Day was founded in 1995 by the organization Project Laundry List, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the use of clotheslines as a simple way to save energy and protect the environment. The date April 19 was chosen to coincide with the start of warmer weather in many parts of the United States, making it ideal for outdoor drying. The holiday was established to raise awareness about the environmental and financial benefits of line-drying, as well as to challenge restrictive covenants and homeowners' association rules that often prohibit clotheslines.
Over the years, National Hanging Out Day has grown from a small grassroots campaign into a widely recognized occasion celebrated by environmentalists, frugal living advocates, and community groups. Today, it is marked by events such as community clothesline displays, educational workshops on energy conservation, and social media campaigns using hashtags like #NationalHangingOutDay. Many participants also use the day to advocate for "Right to Dry" laws, which protect residents' ability to use clotheslines regardless of HOA regulations. The holiday has expanded beyond the U.S., with international participation highlighting global efforts to reduce energy consumption.
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