Do you have a date with some dirty clothes? It’s likely, according to studies (yes, people really study this) about how much time Americans spend doing laundry.

In 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tackled the topic. The agency concluded that the majority of laundry is done by women who dedicate an average of 119 minutes per week — just 60 seconds shy of two hours — to the chore.

A survey by Taskrabbit.com finds that washing, drying and ironing laundry takes up 16% of the time the average American spends accomplishing household chores and tasks each week. That same study also noted that doing laundry is one of the least favorite chores we tackle at home.

And let’s not forget these laundry-related statistics:

-The average American family does almost 400 loads of laundry yearly, according to the Alliance for Water Efficiency.
-A single load of laundry, from wash to dry, takes an average of one hour and 27 minutes to complete.

Any way you add it up, doing laundry takes a big chunk of our time — time that could be spent enjoying family and friends, pursuing a favorite hobby or just taking a nap.

Loathe laundry day?
Save time and energy with a natural gas dryer.

Still, we all like to wear clean clothes. So, how can laundry day become less of a burden?

The answer might be as simple as choosing to use a natural gas dryer.

Why go with gas?

Doing the laundry is easier and quicker with a natural gas dryer in the laundry room.

Natural gas dryers have a lot going for them. Consider these advantages:

– Fast drying. Natural gas dryers heat up fast, so they dry clothes quickly. A natural gas dryer can dry two loads of clothes in the same time it takes for one load in most dryers. The average household can save up to 48 hours of drying time a year.

– Energy efficient. The Consumer Energy Center (CEC) attributes six percent of the average household’s utility costs to the clothes dryer. Doing the job faster makes a gas dryer an energy efficient option. High-efficiency natural gas dryers can save up to 50 percent in dryer energy costs, estimates the CEC.

– Gentle on fabrics. Natural gas dryers fluff and freshen your washables with less wrinkling, shrinkage and static cling. These dryers are gentler on fabrics because clothes are dried more quickly at specific temperatures to adequately evaporate water from the fabric. Then, when a gas dryer turns off, the heat dissipates quickly, reducing the amount of wrinkling. This can reduce the amount of time spent on ironing.

– Low operating cost. A natural gas dryer costs more to purchase — approximately $100 more — than a comparable electric model. But it will cost less to operate over the lifetime of the appliance because of the lower cost of natural gas.

– Durability. A quality gas dryer typically lasts a long time — up to 13 years or more.

– Energy Star rated. In 2015, for the first time ever, the United States Department of Energy began rating clothes dryers for energy efficiency. Appliance manufacturers now make many natural gas dryer models that have earned the rating. Although you may be able to buy a lower efficiency gas dryer (has not earned Energy Star rating) for less, keep in mind that you will pay more for each load of clothes you dry as it uses more energy to do the job for the life of the unit. The more efficient your gas dryer is, the less energy it takes to dry your clothes, and the more you save.

Installation notes

Sold on the benefits of a natural gas dryer? If you’re a Walton Gas customer who is thinking of making a switch, remember that all gas dryers require a vent to the outside. Also, gas dryers require a dedicated gas line that must be professionally installed. A qualified natural gas contractor can help with both. To find a contractor, use Atlanta Gas Light’s online locator or call 1-800-599-3770.

Time to upgrade?

If you’ve had a gas dryer for several years, it may be time to upgrade to maximize laundry day efficiencies. Today’s gas dryers use less energy than older models. Consumers can save over half of their operating costs by replacing their old gas dryers with new, energy-efficient models.

Be a laundry rebel

In 2017, only about 18 percent of all the dryers used in this country were gas-powered, according to Statista.com. That means fewer than one out of every five households is currently bucking tradition to enjoy the benefits offered by a natural gas dryer.

If you’re already a Walton Gas customer, it’s simple and smart to lead your own laundry rebellion. Your natural gas dryer will more than pay for itself in fuel savings, fabric-friendly operation and reliable, trouble-free performance. More importantly, you’ll save hours of work with faster drying times and wrinkle-free clothes.

Once you lighten the laundry load, all that’s left to do is decide how you’re going to spend all that extra free time.