Hangin’ Out

This is the second in a series on how air drying your clothes can save you money and can be kind to the planet.

Line drying clothes is easy, but here are some tips that will help you get better results:

• Buy a good line - Cheaper lines will sag over time. Use a sturdy, thick line and tie it tight.

• Use vinegar – To keep fabric from becoming stiff, add a half cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
   
• Don’t hang your line under a tree - Birds. Tree sap. Enough said.
   
• Fold your sheets - Wet sheets are heavy. To keep them from dragging on the ground, fold them in half before pinning them to the line.
   
• Shirts – Hang shirts by the hemline to avoid “bunched shoulders” from the clothespins.
   
• Dresses - To keep a dress's shape, put it on a hanger first and attach the hanger to the line. 
   
• Maximize space - If you’ve got a very small area to work with, hang two lines on the same posts; one high for sheets, towels, and jeans, and the other low, for small t-shirts, shorts, underwear, and socks.
   
• Socks – Pin them from the toes. Socks folded over the line take longer to dry.

• Just because it’s too cold in winter to line dry clothes doesn’t mean you must use an electric dryer. Indoor drying racks will allow you to air dry clothes in your bathroom or by the heating vent. You’ll get the added benefit of the humidity from the wet clothes.

Do you have any clothes drying tips to pass along? Let us know!

Photo credit: www.gogreentogether.ca.