Are you looking for ways to cut costs on your utility bills?
Drying clothes outside is a great way to save money and energy. By using the sun and wind to dry your clothes, you won’t have to use as much energy from the dryer, which can help save you money in the long run!
There are many benefits to drying clothes outside, including saving money on your electric bill. Some advantages of drying your clothes outside are:
- Saves money on utility bills
- Helps clothes last longer
- Lightens stains and brightens white clothing
- Removes odors and enhances freshness
- Eliminates the need for dryer sheets
- Quicker and safer than drying indoors
So take advantage of good weather and dry your clothes outside to save some money!
Benefits of Line Drying Clothes Outside
There are many benefits to line-drying your laundry, not just saving money on your electric bill.
Line-drying your laundry can also help remove stains and odors and give them a fresh scent.
Drying clothes outside can help them last longer, saving money and reducing textile waste.
In the last 20 years, the amount of clothing Americans have thrown away has doubled. In 2018, 17 million tons of textile waste was put in landfills. This made up 5.8% of all the waste that was generated that year.
Additionally, it’s a quicker and safer way to line dry clothes than using an electric dryer.
It’s easy to install a basic pulley clothesline outside of your laundry room. You can also get creative by adding a retractable or an umbrella clothesline.
So take advantage of good weather and dry your laundry outside to save money and enjoy all the other benefits it has to offer!
8 Tips for Air Drying Your Clothes Outdoors
If you’ve ever hung your damp clothes out to dry and come back to a wrinkled, crunchy mess, you know the frustration that can come with line drying.
However, there are a few tricks that can help you get the most out of this eco-friendly method of air drying clothes.
Dirty clothesline? No problem!
I don’t know about you, but my outdoor clothesline gets gross overnight.
Here are some simple tips you can take to keep you clothesline clean before hanging your laundry:
- Get a dry cloth and wipe away any debris.
- Fill a bucket/bowl with warm water and a squirt of dish detergent.
- Wipe over the clothesline with a sponge and soapy water.
- Allow to dry.
- Finished – as easy as that!
Taking these simple steps will prevent your clothes from getting dirty and will prolong the life of your clothesline.
So next time you go to hang your laundry, don’t forget to give your clothesline a quick clean first!
The one tip to maximize your clothesline space
When line-drying your clothes, it’s best to start with the largest items and work your way down to the smaller items.
That will help you make the most of the space on your clothesline!
If you are using an umbrella clothesline, hang your sheets and towels on the outside so they can hide your “unmentionables” on the inside of the rack.
This way, everything will have a place and you’ll be able to make the most of the space that you have!
The best way to dry bright and dark clothes
Drying dark and bright colored clothes in direct sunlight can lead to fading.
When air-drying dark or bright garments outside, the rack or clothesline should be in a shaded but warm spot, preferably with a slight breeze for better airflow.
This will help to prevent fading and keep your clothes looking fresh and new!
Another option is to hang dark or bright clothes inside out. Dark blankets can also be hung over the clothesline so the underside of the blanket is facing the sun.
The best way to dry knit sweaters
When drying your laundry outside, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re hanging. Heavier items, like sweaters, should be dried flat because they can stretch and misshape when hung from a clothesline.
A better option for air drying heavier items is to use a flat drying rack indoors. This will help to prevent stretching and will keep your clothes looking their best!
Turn your garments over once or twice as they dry to speed up the drying time and ensure that everything dries evenly.
Make doing laundry more enjoyable
Not everyone likes doing laundry, but there are a few things you can do to make it more enjoyable!
Hang out with your clothesline friends – line drying is a great opportunity to socialize with your neighbors.
Get some sun – while you’re hanging your clothes out to dry, take the opportunity to get some Vitamin D!
Elevate your clothes basket – prevent back pain by placing your laundry basket on a stool or table so you don’t have to bend over to load and unload it.
Make it a family affair – laundry is a great chore for kids to help with. Let them help you hang the clothes on the line and then take them down when they’re dry.
By involving your kids, you can make doing laundry a fun and bonding experience!
Listen to music – hang your clothes out to dry and enjoy the fresh air while listening to your favorite tunes!
So next time you do laundry, take full advantage of the sunny days and hang your clothes out to dry! You may even find that you enjoy it!
5 steps for a perfect hang every time
Hanging clothes to dry on a clothesline is a great way to improve energy savings. But if you’ve never done it before, it can be a bit of a mystery. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Pants
Hang wet jeans and peans by pinning the inside leg seams together and attach the hems of the legs to the line, with the waist hanging down. If you have parallel clotheslines near each other, you may pin one leg to one line and the opposite leg to an adjacent line to improve drying speed.
T-Shirts and Tops
Pin the shirts by the bottom hem at the side seams. If you have a shirt with sleeves, you may wish to pin the sleeves together. This will help to keep them from dragging the ground or getting tangled.
Socks
When line-drying socks, it’s best to put them in pairs and catch one corner of each toe with a clothespin. This will help them to dry quicker and prevent them from getting separated!
If your socks are not matched, you can also hang individual socks by their toes.
Sheets and Blankets
Fold the sheet or blanket in half and clip the corners to the clothesline to avoid a crease in the middle. Use one or two more clothespins in the center if it’s a windy day or large blanket that sags a lot.
Towels and Pillow cases
Hanging towels by the corners is a great way to ensure that they will dry quickly. If you’re air drying more than one towel, try to overlap the corners to save space.
You can also dry lightweight items like pillowcases by hanging them in pairs. This will help save space and clothespins.
Check the pollen and weather reports before you dry your clothes
If you’re air drying clothes outside, it’s important to check the pollen and weather reports before you get started.
Pollen can cause allergies and is especially prevalent in the springtime. If the pollen count is high, it’s best to air dry your clothes inside to avoid triggering allergies.
The weather can also be a factor in whether or not you air dry your laundry outside. If it’s windy, for example, you might want to wait until the wind dies down to avoid having your clothes blown around or off the line.
You should also check the forecast for rain. It’s obviously not a good idea to hang your clothes out to dry if it’s going to rain.
So before you hang your clothes out to dry, be sure to check the pollen and weather reports!
Keep your clothes soft when line drying
Have you ever wanted to know how to keep your clothes soft when drying them on a clothesline? I’ve been drying my clothes this way for years, and I’ve learned a few tricks that really do help.
Use white vinegar – you can use white vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing machine. This helps to remove soap residue and make it more absorbent.
Shake your clothes – be sure to shake your clothes out before hanging them on the line. This will help to loosen the fibers.
Hang laundry on windy days – hang your laundry on windy days. The wind will help to fluff the fabric and prevent static cling.
Use less detergent – use less detergent. This may seem counterintuitive but using too much detergent can actually cause your clothes to become stiff and hard.
Use homemade laundry detergent – A good homemade laundry detergent will not leave residue on clothes. In fact, it can even help keep them looking and feeling their best.
If you’re looking for a natural way to get your laundry clean, try this recipe for a good homemade laundry detergent.
Fluff In the dryer – once your clothes are dry from the clothesline, fluff them in the dryer on low heat for 5-10 minutes. This will help to soften the fabric.
So there you have it! These are just a few tips that I’ve learned over the years for keeping your clothes soft when line drying them. Give them a try and see how they work for you!
Conclusion
Air drying clothes outside is a great way to save energy and money. By following these simple tips, you can learn how to do it properly and enjoy the fresh air at the same time!