Its Popularity Faded In The '70s — Now It's An Eco-Friendly Solution That's Getting More Love

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We all have those days when the only thing that'll comfort us is wrapping up in a blanket still warm from the dryer. There's a lot to be said for having a tumble dryer in the home. Our increasingly busy lives make it more appealing to machine dry our laundry, but there's something satisfying about seeing laundry flapping on the line. This was a normal sight in yards up until the last 50 years. However, this low-tech practice is regaining popularity.

Many nostalgic boomers reminisce fondly about pegging out towels or taking down frozen jeans. Some of them never moved away from line-drying laundry, and they know the benefits of reviving this age-old practice. Letting the sun and breeze do the work for you saves you money on your utility bill and will soothe an uneasy eco-conscience, even if you don't have a clothes line. Americans spend $7 billion per year on energy for drying clothes. With this whopping bill comes 27 million tons of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere annually.

It's not just a savings on your energy bill and carbon footprint; line drying clothes reduces damage to the material that comes with the heat and friction from the dryer, and the sun can help kill germs, brighten whites, and remove stains as they dry. Plus, as TikToker @keeley_perry puts it, there's nothing like the scent of laundry dried in the sun. With the season's long, warm days, now is the time to revive the once widespread practice of line drying laundry.

Not everyone has a yard. Some of us live where rain is a daily event. Others frankly don't want their undies flapping in their back yard for all to see. All of these are legitimate concerns, but none should be a barrier to air-drying your laundry. One genuine concern is that your HOA or landlord might not allow you to install a laundry line in your yard or on your balcony. Although some more persnickety neighbors might not love this, check to see if you live in a "right to dry" area. There are a good number of U.S. states and municipalities that have made outdoor laundry line bans illegal, so your community might not have the right to enforce this.

Laws and neighbors aside, cords or racks as permanent parts of your landscape might repulse you. Consider retractable lines you can extend and coil away according to your needs. Portable racks are viable options. These solutions are best for outdoor spaces that are sheltered from the wind. There are also wall-mounted racks and cords that are ideal for stretching out on a balcony when needed.

Drying indoors is doable when you don't have outdoor space or dry weather. It also keeps unmentionables hidden. Amazon has a space-saving laundry line that's appropriate for both indoor and outdoor drying. The Riveda Retractable Clothesline spools out 45 feet of cord for plenty of drying capability. String this up in a basement as a permanent setup, or hook it up in a higher-traffic space to dry while you're out of the house.