Solutions To All Of Your Line-Drying Problems
Before washing machines and dryers became a part of life, the standard method was washing clothes by hand and letting them dry outside in the sun. Many homeowners still choose to dry their clothes outside because of the many benefits it offers. For example, using a clothesline is cheaper as it saves on energy bills and is gentle on your clothes, which helps them last longer. In addition, people also love line-drying because it's much better for the environment and helps to remove the chemical smells from laundry detergent, explains Retro Housewife Goes Green.
Still, if you don't have a washing line installed or you haven't dried your clothes outside before, you might have some concerns about the process and the effects it can have on your clothes. This article will help to address your line-drying problems so that you can feel at ease about taking on this common practice.
Preserving the quality of your clothes
While electric dryers are a quick option, they can gradually wear down the fabric due to the intensity of the process. In a dryer, clothes constantly get stretched and pulled, but hanging your clothes on a line keeps them in one position until they are dry. Additionally, they tend not to shrink or lose their shape, which helps you get more value out of your pieces. Outdoor drying also helps in the wrinkles department, says Retro Housewife Goes Green, which means less steaming for you!
Ever wondered where exactly the fluff in the lint tray comes from? In The Wash explains that it's a collection of small pieces of fabric that get pulled from your clothes and can eventually become holes. Line-drying not only maintains the strength of your clothes but also helps you out with the washing, as Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is also great at removing stains and lightening your whites.
I can't install a clothesline
If you don't currently have a clothesline, The Not-So-Modern Housewife has some useful suggestions on how to install one. Purchasing clothesline pulleys, a long rope, screws, and hooks individually instead of as a kit allows you to customize everything to fit your needs and preferences. Determine a location that has enough space and sun and is an adequate distance from where you'll be bringing your laundry. Fix your pulleys at the right height for you, loop the clothesline through, and start drying!
Do you live in an area that has regulations on clotheslines, or you just don't have room for one? Don't fret, there are still ways to dry your clothes outside. You can opt for alternatives like drying racks or portable clotheslines, notes Backyard Scape. Drying racks are compact with multiple levels that can be used both indoors and outdoors. They come in various sizes and can be easily moved around. Portable clotheslines are usually retractable and can be set up above a bath, making them a great option for traveling.
I have allergies
A common problem people have with line-drying is that it can trigger allergic reactions since the clothes are exposed to the elements outside. Air-dried clothes tend to bring in mold, pollen, or insects, which don't go well with a sensitive immune system. Depending on where you live and what time of year it is, Lifehacker recommends checking the pollen index to determine if it's safe to hang your clothes outside.
Alternatively, Retro Housewife Goes Green recommends the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology's website and advises to hold off on line-drying if you're experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. If it is impractical to dry your clothes outside on certain days, you can still use drying racks and rods inside. Moreover, if your clothes do get exposed to allergens, IVJLaundromat recommends washing them again with very hot water or rinsing them twice with cold water, then drying them indoors as normal.
It takes too long
There's no denying that line drying takes longer than using a dryer, however, there are tricks you can implement. If you are using drying racks, try placing them in front of a fan, window, or another source of air to speed up the process. You can also line dry for a short amount of time and then finish the job in the dryer, advises Retro Housewife Goes Green.
Air drying might take a while, but it can help you be more intentional about how and when you wash. Rather than wait until everything is dirty, you can set a routine in place to wash more frequently. Hang out the clothes in the morning of a hot day and bring them back in the afternoon or evening. Also, you don't need to worry about using too much energy since it's all-natural. The process of hanging up items one by one and waiting for them to dry is therapeutic for a lot of people and allows them to embrace that calm in doing things the simple, old-fashioned way!