when to use "ing"

[greenhouse]

An energy-saving alternative to using dryers is to dry your clothes out on a clothesline.

Would it be grammatically incorrect if I write the underlined word in the above sentence without "ing"?
For example, An energy-saving alternative to use dryers is to dry your clothes out on a clothesline. THANKS

[probus]

An energy-saving alternative to using dryers is to dry your clothes out on a clothesline.

Would it be grammatically incorrect if I write the underlined word in the above sentence without "ing"?
For example, An energy-saving alternative to use dryers is to dry your clothes out on a clothesline. THANKS

Your alternative is unnatural. You should say "to the use of dryers" rather than "to use dryers".

[GoesStation]

Yes. It's incorrect without -ing.

[teechar]

That structure is: alternative + to + noun (phrase)/gerund (phrase).
It is not: alternative + infinitive.