Line drying? An ancient art? No way.
Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t exactly call it an “art,” either. BUT there is some general knowledge you should know before you begin. I wouldn’t call myself an expert at line drying, except that it’s so easy–anyone can do it! PLUS there are some awesome benefits to line drying. Read the following tips to line dry your clothing for a more natural and frugal drying alternative:
2 Optional Locations:
First, know that you can line dry clothing outside OR inside. If it is particularly rainy where you live, or if during the winter months, you find yourself snowed in, put lines up in your home, laundry room, hallway, bedroom–wherever–and line dry that way. Growing season is just about here in the Northwest, so rain is coming quickly! I will definitely have lines up in my home.
Materials:
In order to line dry, you need a location to line dry, a rope or other form for a line, clothespins or hangers, and wet laundry!
Lines:
Your line can be made out of any “string” that is durable and will not mold! When you put your lines up (connected from one tree, poll, building, wall, etc to another), make your lines tight enough, so that when you hang up your damp clothing, the weight will not sag the line down.
2 Optional Methods:
In order to line dry, you can either hang your wet laundry on hangers, or use clothespins. Personally, I currently use clothespins, but I may switch to hangers in the near future in order to determine which method I prefer. For some garments, using hangers is said to be preferable and more convenient, as once the garment is dry, it needs only be put in the closet. Others say there really is no difference, as long as you hang correctly. What do I get out of all this? It’s your choice.
Correct Hanging:
Believe it or not, there is a correct way to hang up shirts, pants, socks, and other laundry items. Shirts–If you are using clothespins, hang these upside down, by the tail, so that your clothespins do not leave an indent on the shoulders, (which are more visible than the tail of your clothing). Make sure that you do not space the two clothespins too far apart that the material is stretched, or too near that a huge bulge dries into your shirt. If you are using hangers, situate the shirt according to how you would normally prefer to wear it, (ex. collar down or pockets in). Pants–I have seen these hung two different ways by clothespins, and both worked fine. First, you can hang it by two clothespins at the waist, or second, you can hang it by four clothespins, two on each leg, upside down. Skirts can be hung at the waist, also. Socks–hang your socks by their toes! Do this in order to prevent clothespin marks on the visible part. Towels–Either hang towels length wise, using four clothespins, or hang them width wise, using two. Your choice, here.
And finally…TIPS!
–In order to keep your clothes from fading, turn them inside out or dry them in the shade or inside.
–Do not hang your clothing near walls or posts, so that if the wall or post is dirty, your clothes will not pick it up!
–Before hanging your clothes up, snap them quickly in the air to take out any wrinkles.
–Clean your line every once in a while (monthly or bimonthly) in order to ensure that your clean clothes are not being dried on dirt! Simple soap and water and a rag will do the treat nicely.
Have you tried line drying before? What tips would you share with others, or would you even recommend it?
Zealous Dedication 