38 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

It's been so hot here, it's almost dry before I can hang it on the line.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

How do you guys handle the static in your clothes, especially on windy days?  Static is one of my pet peeves and it drives me nuts when my clothes have static in them.

In all the years that we dried clothes on the line I never noticed that fresh air smell that people rave about.  Maybe it was because the air quality in my area was not that good in the 1970s.  The clothes probably smelled like smog.

I don't know about the health effects of line drying.  I guess it's possible to pick up some insects, though I think that is something you would notice as you took the clothes down.  They would be flying or jumping around.

But, I do agree with Sugarhill that my clothes last just as long drying them in a dryer.  Also, I don't get that weird stiffness in jeans that comes from line drying.  I don't iron anything, so I guess I am saving electricity in some form.

[SFloridaMike]

Interesting range of opinions here. At one point I was line drying everything, but now hang the items that take the most energy (jeans, towels, etc.) on a rack inside the house and do a single load for everything else.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

FamilyTreeClimber, on 04 August 2012 - 09:35 AM, said:

How do you guys handle the static in your clothes, especially on windy days?  Static is one of my pet peeves and it drives me nuts when my clothes have static in them.

In all the years that we dried clothes on the line I never noticed that fresh air smell that people rave about.  Maybe it was because the air quality in my area was not that good in the 1970s.  The clothes probably smelled like smog.

I don't know about the health effects of line drying.  I guess it's possible to pick up some insects, though I think that is something you would notice as you took the clothes down.  They would be flying or jumping around.

But, I do agree with Sugarhill that my clothes last just as long drying them in a dryer.  Also, I don't get that weird stiffness in jeans that comes from line drying.  I don't iron anything, so I guess I am saving electricity in some form.

Vinegar as your final rinse will help with the static.

[aphil]

I always air dry my clothes and all the points you have made are very true. It may require a little extra time and effort, but itis worth it. I actually like the fresh smell of the clothes when they come in from the air and sun.
I'm sure there are those you may not have this option, so perhaps you could just use a lowheat and lesser time, to help conserve on energy and help apare your clothes.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

aphil, on 05 August 2012 - 03:15 AM, said:

I always air dry my clothes and all the points you have made are very true. It may require a little extra time and effort, but itis worth it. I actually lide the fresh smell of the clothes when they come in from the air and sun.
I'm sure there are those you may not have this option, so perhaps you could just use a lowheat and lesser time, to help conserve on energy and help apare your clothes.

Air drying on racks, especially in the winter months will add moisture to the dry air too.

[trueone]

I totally agree that air drying laundry is much more eco-friendly then using a dryer. But its quite hard to air dry laundry if you live in condo or apartment. I do have balcony but there isn't enough space to dry out all the clothes all at once. In fact it would take forever to dry my clothes in that manner.

However if you live in a house then its definitely the best way to dry your clothes. Not only is it eco friendly but also gives your clothes a good smell (depending on where you live).

[ACSAPA]

I line dry because I live in Florida where it's constantly hot, so the clothes dry quickly. I hate how hot it has been lately, but at least my laundry is drying quickly. I had to relocate all my herb plants indoors because they were getting damaged by the sun. Walking outside feels like walking into a running clothes dryer.
I don't think it's possible to deny global warming after the severely hot summer we're having.

[artistry]

If you can air dry clothing, it will save you money and will help your clothing last longer. Sometimes circumstances do not permiit it.

FamilyTreeClimber, try to purchase and try Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules. I have the same problem, but using Omega-3 has helped tremendously in reducing the inflammation and the pain that accompanies. It is marvelous.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

artistry, on 11 August 2012 - 06:30 PM, said:

If you can air dry clothing, it will save you money and will help your clothing last longer. Sometimes circumstances do not permiit it.

FamilyTreeClimber, try to purchase and try Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules. I have the same problem, but using Omega-3 has helped tremendously in reducing the inflammation and the pain that accompanies. It is marvelous.

Glucosamine-Chondroitin works even better; back to topic.

[steph84]

I invested in a $25 bamboo clothes drying rack and that baby saved me so much money in college and now. It is so tiny and just unfolds into this great space for trying everything. I can hang a whole load on it. It just makes my room smell great so I save on fresheners too!

[kalasin]

I would love to line-dry my laundry but my Homeowner's Associate has banned any sort of line/rack/outside drying :( I do have a folding wooden rack that I use...hidden in the corner...on Sundays only.

[FlanneryCam]

How do you manage to air dry in the winter?

I air dry some clothing, mostly all my delicates and then sometimes other clothing if I have the space around the house for clothing to hang for a couple days.

But if I'm going to do more air drying, I need to figure out a way to air dry in the winter. I live in a very very open concept home. Suggestions?

[Shortpoet-GTD]

FlanneryCam, on 15 September 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

How do you manage to air dry in the winter?

I air dry some clothing, mostly all my delicates and then sometimes other clothing if I have the space around the house for clothing to hang for a couple days.

But if I'm going to do more air drying, I need to figure out a way to air dry in the winter. I live in a very very open concept home. Suggestions?

Depends on your winters. The last few years here, no biggie. Been staying warm. On snowy (yeah right) or rainy
days, I use a rack. It also adds moisture to the dry winter air.
Blouses, shirts can be hung on their hangers and just hooked over doorways.

[ChanellG]

Sugarhill, on 20 July 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

Yes, her neighbor. They were living in another country and learning the culture and ways as well as trying to help the community, so she had every reason to believe the "hoo-haw" since it turned out to be correct and when they ironed the clothing out, that was no longer a problem.

As for any issues in America, ticks and other types of bugs that have been mentioned in this actual thread, would still be an issue for me. I won't be drying my clothes on a line.

I don't dry my clothes on a line either, and as long as I have a roof over my head I never will. I don't want my clothes smelling of outside, which can be anything from charcoal starter fluid to cigarette smoke. I do have plenty of clothing that I don't put in the dryer, but I may do laundry once per month, so the few loads I do dry that way, aren't making that big of a dent in my footprint.

[Earthling]

FlanneryCam, on 15 September 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

How do you manage to air dry in the winter?

Suggestions?

Although sunshine does act as an accelerator, the wind blows quite often during winter and it's air that does the drying.

[ChanellG]

FlanneryCam, on 15 September 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

How do you manage to air dry in the winter?

I air dry some clothing, mostly all my delicates and then sometimes other clothing if I have the space around the house for clothing to hang for a couple days.

But if I'm going to do more air drying, I need to figure out a way to air dry in the winter. I live in a very very open concept home. Suggestions?

The way my home's entry is designed when you come in there's a wall immediately in front of you about 4 feet ahead. You turn left to actually come in and it forms a sort of mini hallway (though there's not much space to the right.) Anyway, I put up an adjustable tension curtain rod (the kind in two pieces that you twist to expand) to hang clothing on.

I save all the stuff I don't want going in the dryer separately until there's enough to wash. Of course, that rod isn't enough space all the time so I also bought a tripod hanger from amazon last week. Before hanging the clothes up to dry (on hangers) I send them through a second spin in the washer (something I learned from my grandmother) Depending on what the clothing item is, it will dry within minutes or overnight, but it's not like I'm in a hurry for the stuff.

Remember that in winter your indoor temperature isn't the same as your outdoor temperature. If you run a ceiling fan on reverse in winter, that circulation of air will also help the clothes dry faster.

[Earthling]

For lots of clothes dryer/airer ideas, paste AirerShop into your search engine.

[Dustoffer]

We have an outside line for spring to  fall drying, and a 5 line retractable in the garge with a wood stove to help dry and heat that end of the house.  We live totally on solar power and use a Staber 2000 washing machine.  No insect problem here at 8,880'.  Even growing up in Minneapolis, my mother used an outside line as much as possible.