Hanging clothes on a clothesline is something our grandmothers, and possibly our mothers, did before dryers were a common household appliance. It might seem like a tedious task and one that no one wants to engage in while living this fast-paced life we are in. However, it does not take as much time as a person might think and even a working parent can dry clothes the "old-fashioned way."
As a working mom I tend to do the bulk of my laundry on my days off, but I can get laundry done even in the evenings of my work days. I toss clothes into the washer in the morning with the powdered soap, then come home and turn the washer on. While it is running its cycle I go about other duties (or leisure time). Then I hang the clothes out and usually they sit there all night and either in the morning or the next evening I bring them inside.
There are many benefits to hanging clothes out on the line: for the average person it burns about 60 calories per load, it gets a person outside in the fresh air (I often watch my kids play while hanging clothes), it saves on electricity and the environment, dryers can cause a lot of wear and tear on clothing, and clothes just smell scrumptious after being on the line.
The only concerns a person should have regarding clotheslines might be that there is a tendency for those with severe hay-fever or seasonal allergies to be affected by pollen that might be blowing around and attach itself to the clothes. Also, if you live in a closely condensed neighborhood and do not have a fence around your yard there is a concern for theft of clothes or even dogs tugging on them. Some people might live in apartments and not have space outside for a clothes line.
If any of these are a concern for you there are some great indoor models that you can dry clothes on in the bathroom, laundry room or any spare space. Some are stand-up models, some hang from the ceiling or even the shower curtain rod. There is an excellent article at "Tip the Planet" for different indoor and outdoor models (see sources below). Some models are even retractable and can be brought inside at night or during bad weather.
Setting up a clothesline doesn't have to be an expensive process either. Our clothesline came from the dollar store and is strung up between a few trees. But, posts can be set up or clotheslines can be strung between buildings (a shed and the house, or garage and the house for example). Retractable devices can be used, or pulley systems for those living in an upstairs apartment or just lazy people. See the site at "Tip the Planet" for a magnificent variety of clotheslines.
As for hanging clothes on an outdoor line, there are a few little tips that will make it easier and be beneficial to your clothing.
Hang Shirts Upside Down
My mother taught me long ago to hang shirts upside down. If you hang them by the shoulders where the material is pinched by the clothespin it will leave a "teat" which is hard to iron out.
Be Wary of Weather
A slight sprinkle will not harm clothing and a slight breeze is beneficial for quicker drying times. But, if a severe storm is coming or snow is expected it is time to bring clothes in. Severe weather can damage the line and the clothes. I've even had clothing blow off the line.
Clothespin Care
Wooden clothespins don't cost a lot and I usually purchase mine at dollar stores. I find that the wooden ones hold up better than plastic. But, bring clothes pins in each night as rain will eventually damage the wood and the metal springs. A great technique for storage of pins is to take an old tank top and sew a straight seam on the bottom, closing off the bottom of the shirt. Put the tank top on a clothes hanger and sew a seam on the shoulders as close to the hanger as possible so they won't slip off. Drop the clothespins into the "bag" you just made. Then simply hang the clothespin bag on the line and move it along with you as you hang clothes, or hang it up in the laundry room when not in use.
For Stiff or Scratchy Clothes
Sometimes denim and terry cloth can get stiff and scratchy when hung out on the line. Simply toss into the dryer for 10 minutes on a fluff or air dry cycle to take away the stiffness of the fabric. Dryers also work great to get rid of some lint that settles on clothing during the washing process. Since the dryer is still being used less then if drying a load for say 45 minutes, it is still saving on electricity.
Where to Place Your Clothesline
Be mindful of where you put your clothesline. Too close to a road or where perhaps you might burn trash or have a grill set up and the fumes could infuse with the fabric, causing your clothes to smell. Clotheslines also need to be in an open area because they may flap in the wind and no one wants their clothes slapping against a building or tree.
Use Actual Clothesline
Most clotheslines are plastic coated and more durable. In a pinch, rope can be used but eventually friction and weather can cause breakage. In a real pinch one time and trying to save the effort to buy a clothesline my husband used old telephone cords. Well, eventually they snapped and I had 2 entire rows of clothing land in the dirt. Now we take that extra step to head to the store and get actual clotheslines. They may need to be replaced from time to time, but it is still worth the effort.
Anything can be Hung
I have learned that anything can be hung up. I have hung stuffed animals, backpacks, even pillows. If the clip will hold it, it can be hung up.
Eliminate Wrinkles
A great tip to help reduce wrinkles in clothing is to give them a good sturdy shake before hanging them up on the line. If stubborn wrinkles persist, a quick toss in the dryer will remove the remaining wrinkles or use your favorite wrinkle-free product. There are steamers and sprays on the market that are said to help eliminate wrinkles.
And that is all there is to taking a few extra steps to save the environment and save on your electric bill. It is not as complicated or time-consuming as most people think. Currently it cost us less than $5.00 to hang a clothesline but it saves us 10 times that much on our electric bill.
Further Reading
