If you want to reduce your energy use or costs, drying your clothes outside rather than in the dryer is a great way to do so.Line drying keeps your clothes in better condition than drying them in a machine, because Sunlight is a natural sanitizing and bleaching agent.The smell of sun-dried clothing fresh off the clothesline is a bonus.
Step 1: Check your local laws.
In some places, clotheslines are not allowed on balconies or backyards because the sight of clothes hanging out to dry can bring down property prices.You will need to know the local rules before you can join the homeowner's association.If you live in an area where this is an issue, you could join those advocating for relaxation of such rules so that you can save money and energy too.
Step 2: The clothesline needs to be installed.
This can be done by stretching a nylon rope between two wooden posts.There are also pulley clotheslines for loading clothes from a fixed location.Paracord, plastic rope and cotton are some of the materials that can be used for a clothesline.If you use trees for the ends of your clotheslines, be careful.Some domesticated animals are roosting places for pigeons.
Step 3: You should keep your clothesline clean.
If you don't wipe your clothesline down regularly, it will accumulate dirt over time.To prevent this from happening, give the clothesline a quick wipe-down with a kitchen sponge and a bit of detergent and water every month and allow it to dry before use.The clothespins can get dirty, so it's a good idea to clean them regularly.Remember that you can never have too many clothespins, so always replace them with new ones.
Step 4: It's a good idea to add a clothes rack.
New materials that won't mess with your clothes make for excellent foldaway rack options.You could put a table near the clothesline to dry items that need to be hung up.An old table can be turned into a sweater drying stand.Remove the table top and replace it with nylon nets.It can be folded away when not in use.
Step 5: Get a horse.
This can be used for a variety of delicate clothing items or for small loads that you'd like to place just outside the door, on a porch, or to catch an unusual patch of sunshine in your yard that might not be big enough for the clothesline.If there is a child around, choose a clothes horse with safe-spaced rods.The clothes horse is portable and can be used to chase the sun if you like.
Step 6: Metal clothespins can be used for items that won't stretch.
The clothespins are ideal for sheets, towels, play clothes, and any other items that won't pull out of shape or stretch.It is possible to secure bedding and other heavy items with metals pins.Clothespins made of steel last the longest.
Step 7: Wooden clothespins can be used for sturdy items.
Wooden clothespins can be used to hang sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and sturdy clothing.Wooden clothespins can catch and tear delicate clothing and should not be used for this purpose.It's a good idea to allow wooden clothespins to dry before storing them.
Step 8: Plastic clothespins can be used for cotton and stretchy materials.
It's best to use plastic clip-on pins for underwear, t-shirts, knit items, and stretch wear.Lighter items will be held securely by plastic clothespins, and they won't stain or catch on your clothing.
Step 9: You can keep your clothespins indoors.
The outdoor elements can cause your clothespins to degrade quickly.Allow them to dry after use, collect them in a plastic container, and then store them indoors, such as in the laundry room.
Step 10: If you have a washing machine, run an extra spin cycle.
It will help drive water off and save time.Don't worry, wash your laundry as usual.Remove the clothes from the washing machine and put them in a laundry basket.If the laundry can be left on the line longer, save the cost of electricity for the extra spin.
Step 11: To dry delicate fabrics, use a plastic clothes hanger.
To prevent the hangers from blowing off the clothesline, place the piece of clothing on a plastic one and clip it to the line.If you use the line on a windy day, be careful as the hangers can blow off or the item can slip off.If you want to avoid staining, pin the clothing with great care, and only use plastic hangers.
Step 12: The towels should be hung.
Hang towels by folding them over the line one end at a time.To get a softer dry, shake the towels a lot before hanging them on the line.This loosens the pile.Remove them from the line again.Towels that dry quicker on the line can feel softer, like hanging them out on a warm day.Give them a quick 5 minute tumble in the dryer before hanging them up.Adding water to the rinse cycle can help reduce towel rigidity.
Step 13: Hang sheets.
Hang sheets by folding them to the hem, pinning one hem over the line, then pinning the other hem inside the first hem corners.Run your hands down the edges of the sheet to make sure it hangs square and even.It takes up less space on the line and puts the stress on warp yarns which are stronger than the filling yarns, so Widthwise is best for hanging items such as sheets, tablecloths, and flatwork.As needed, hang blankets and other heavy items across two lines.The pillow cases should be hung with the open side down.
Step 14: Put pants and shorts down.
It is possible to line-dried pants and shorts.If you want to minimize wrinkling, hang shorts and pants by the waistband.
Step 15: Hang up tops.
The tops can be hung on the clothesline.Hang t-shirts by folding the hem over the line and pinning them on.Pull or stretch the wet clothing and pin it, as this may cause items to widen, when hanging 100% cotton items.
Step 16: Hang dresses and skirts.
Line-dried dresses and skirts can be used to reduce wrinkling.If the dress has a full skirt, hang it from the hem.Hang straight skirts by turning over the waistband and pinning each side.
Step 17: Hang your undergarments.
Put socks by toes, bras by the hook end, and underpants on either side of the line.Place handkerchiefs in half over the line and pin them.
Step 18: Hang colored clothes in the shade.
Hang your colored items in the shade to keep them from fading.White clothing and linens can be hung in the sun to bleach them.You can hang colored items inside to preserve the fabric dye.
Step 19: Clothespins can be attached in discreet locations.
Pin the clothes in discreet locations to prevent them from being imprinted.If you hang clothes with care, line drying can help you save time on ironing.To conserve clothespins, overlap garments and use one pin to hang the end of one piece of clothing and the beginning of the next.This can be space-saving on the line, but don't do it where the overlap would prevent the drying of thick items.To be sure the dye doesn't bleed, use caution when overlap colored items.
Step 20: Place the clothes in a circle.
There are different rates for drying clothes and fabrics.Add new wet items to the line if you need to free up line space.It's a good idea to get off the line quickly as sheets take up a lot of space.
Step 21: The clothes should be folded.
It saves time on ironing and makes it easier to put them away.When you remove the clothes from the line, shake and snap them to make them fit again.Remove the clothes and iron them right away.Don't store damp clothes.They will grow a plant.You will have a basket filled with wrinkled clothing if you toss clothes into it.You did a great job hanging the clothes, but this makes it worse.
Step 22: The wool and knitted garments should be laid flat.
When clothes are wet, they should be dried flat on a sweater drying rack.It can be placed on a table or other clean surface.
Step 23: The textured materials should be laid flat.
flannelette, terry cloth, and napped or pile fabrics might not look as good after line drying.Most fabrics will line dry fine if you test each item rather than assuming the item won't look good.Hang the item over the clothes horse in the shade or indoors if the care label says not to dry in sunlight.
Step 24: There are items that contain down.
Sleeping bags and duvets don't always dry well on the clothesline because the down can drop to one end.If you want to avoid this, hang them across several lines.The weight will be distributed evenly.
Step 25: Pick sunny days.
A warm, sunny day is the best day for drying clothes outdoors.A breeze will help dry your clothing.Direct sunlight is more important than having a good breeze.Don't leave your clothes out too long because the sun can fade them.If you want to reduce fading, dry clothing inside out or dry them in the shade, and collect the item as soon as it has dried.If you have allergies, watch out for airborne pollen in your clothes.Use a dryer in the spring if it does.
Step 26: Don't go on very windy days.
The breeze will iron out thewrinkle for you and speed up drying time.Strong winds can cause your clothes to be blown away or into a neighbor's yard.Clothes are more likely to catch on wire, plants, and other objects.And ripping.If placed at an angle, clothespins will hold up on a windy day.
Step 27: If there is a storm, don't dry your clothes outside.
Don't put your clothes outside to dry if you know the winds are going to kick up or it will rain.Hang the items inside or use the dryer.You can also use a cover for the dryer.It allows you to dry your clothes outside even when it's raining.If you want to keep your clothes dry, you could cover your dryer with a piece of plastic.
Step 28: Don't dry your clothes outside.
You will be cold and your clothes will take too long to dry.Since water expands when it's cold, the fibers in your clothes may not be the same as they were before.During the winter, you can dry clothes in the basement, on a line, or on the rack if the clothes have been washed.If you live in a humid environment, avoid doing this.