We live in the world of convenience, where our appliances like dryers have become a staple in many homes. The humble indoor drying rack and outdoors clothesline often get overlooked. There are many benefits to adopting these traditional methods of drying your laundry that extend beyond mere practicality. Let’s uncover the hidden advantages of opting for drying racks and lines and why I find hung dry clothes the best lifestyle choice for this daily chore.
Benefits of Drying Laundry on Racks and Lines
1. Eco-Friendly
Drying laundry on clothes racks and clotheslines is an eco-conscious lifestyle choice. Unlike dryers, which consume significant amounts of energy, these methods require only the sun’s warmth and natural air circulation. When you reduce your reliance on electricity, you decrease your electricity consumption and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
2. Preserves Fabric Quality
Our clothes last longer! Heat and tumbling clothing in a dryer can be harsh on fabrics. Clothes can shrink, fade, and wear over time when using a dryer. On the other hand, air drying your clothing is gentle and preserves the integrity of your clothing making them last longer. Delicate items, in particular, benefit from this method, as they are more vulnerable to dryer damage.
3. Cost-Effective
Operating a dryer can contribute significantly to your utility bills. By using drying racks and lines, you can enjoy substantial savings over time. On average we save $100-$150 in energy costs per year by line drying our clothes. The initial investment in purchasing a quality drying rack will pay for itself in the first year, leaving you years of savings in energy costs. A dryer rack when compared to purchasing a quality dryer, is a more budget-friendly option.
4. Natural Disinfection
Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Hanging laundry outdoors allows UV rays to penetrate the fabric, effectively killing bacteria and eliminating odors. This is especially beneficial for items like towels, bedding and cloth diapers, providing a fresh, clean scent without the need for artificial fragrances. Your whites will be whiter and your clothes smell cleaner for longer.
5. Versatility and Space-Saving
Drying racks come in various shapes and sizes, making them versatile for any living space. The large drying rack I purchased from Lehman’s, easily folds down into a smaller size for storing when not in use, optimizing space efficiency. Whether you have a spacious backyard for a clothesline or a compact apartment, there’s a drying solution to suit your needs.
6. Therapeutic and Mindful
There’s a meditative quality to hanging laundry on a line or arranging it on a rack. Engaging in this simple, repetitive task can be therapeutic, offering a moment of mindfulness amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s an opportunity to slow down, connect with nature, and appreciate the beauty in the mundane, making laundry a peaceful break from the noise of life.
Laundry Keeping: Traditional Tricks with Modern Twists
Cleaning methods passed down through generations often prove to be highly effective. These hacks, tried and true, offer practical solutions for maintaining a clean and tidy living space without relying on modern chemical-laden products.
Washing and Clothesline Drying Tips:
- To wash feather pillows, wash on the shortest washing cycle. Only 5 minutes will clean them. Hand rinse with plenty of clean water. Squeeze out the extra water, then put the pillow between two bath towels and press down with both hands to blot. Hang on the line in a breezy spot to dry.
- To remove mildew from fabrics, soak in a solution of a half a cup of vinegar, a half a cup of liquid bleach, and two quarts of water. Soak for one or two hours or overnight before washing.
- To keep your hands warm in the winter while hanging clothes on the line, warm clothespins in a pot near a fire.
- Wear wool gloves to hang up wet clothes on the line. This keeps your hands from getting so cold.
- A teaspoon of Epsom salt to each gallon of water for colored garments. This will keep them from fading and running.
- To keep clothes from freezing on the line in the winter, use a rag dipped in vinegar to wash the line off before hanging the clothes.
- Hot water set stains, so be sure to use a sponge to blot messy spots with cold water before washing the fabric in warm suds.
- To remove blood stains from clothes, dampen the spot with cold water and rub salt over the stain. Let’s stand for about half an hour, then rinse in cold water.
