Do you know how to dry laundry without using a dryer? Perhaps you do, but find it inconvenient, or just haven't gotten around to it yet. Check out this simple guide on how to dry laundry, with great tips as you go through each step, and you will definitely give it a try sooner rather than later!
How To Dry Laundry Without Electricity
I must admit, I hate doing the laundry, but I hate musty-smelling clothes from the dryer, and a shocking electric bill, even more! While drying clothes in a dryer is as easy as throwing articles of clothing inside then taking it out once they're dry, I say, where's the fun in that. I have long abandoned the use of a drying machine, except when it's raining non-stop and I have no choice. You might say I have control issues, but there is an art to drying clothes without the aid of a machine. How the clothes are arranged in the clothesline even has a purpose to it. Find out how to dry laundry as you read on.
Why Dry Laundry Without A Dryer
Besides the huge cut on your power bill, drying clothes without the use of a dryer has a lot of benefits. These are some of the most notable, which will certainly give you something to think about.
- You can save as much as $200 every year by line-drying laundry.
- Consequently, saving on your power bills helps protect the environment with energy conservation.
- You have fresh laundry without the use of chemical-laden fabric softener and deodorizers.
- The sun helps disinfect and whiten laundry naturally.
- Promotes physical health and well-being by being active outdoors.
- Avoids the harsh effect of excessive heat from the dryer on clothing.
How To Dry Laundry Without A Dryer
What You Will Need:
- Clothesline or drying rack
- Hangers
- Clothespin
- Laundry basket with pockets on the side (optional)
- Apron with large pockets (optional)
- Ladder or step stools (optional)
Step One: Do The Laundry
Separate articles from color and whites and turn the clothes inside out. Wash your clothes and other articles as usual. You can either wash using a washing machine or by hand washing. Squeeze excess water from the articles after rinsing, but avoid twisting the clothing hard so as not to stress and damage them. You may also allow excess water to drip off by placing the clothes on a rack with holes or slats.
Step Two: Sort Laundry Pieces By Size
After rinsing and while squeezing excess water, you can sort articles straight according to their sizes and weight. This will help you hang the clothes faster and more efficient. For example, sheets and towels are heavier and go to the back of the clothesline. For undies, socks, and hankies, you can put them in a neat stack pile, hold the pile up, go across the line, then hang and pin. You won't have to stoop back down to the laundry basket for another piece with the articles sorted.
Step Three: Hang Laundry Pieces
Now, you can start hanging the clothes, and if you are able to do so, figuring out where the wind is coming or going will help. Hang thicker and wider articles to the back and smaller ones on the front so the wind can freely move through and dry the articles faster.
The ideal height for your clothesline should as tall as your height when your hands are reaching up. This way, longer laundry articles won't touch the ground and get dirty, and you can easily reach to hang the pieces with a ladder or a step stool.
Use an apron with a large pocket to keep clothespins in so you can easily pin each item as you go along. Fold sheets in half and hang articles of clothing with the bottom up to help the clothing dry faster.
Tips For Drying Clothes Without A Dryer
Some of the worries against drying laundry on a clothesline or drying rack can easily be dealt with. Follow these tips to help you enjoy the benefits of line-drying and avoid a few setbacks.
1. Check Weather Forecast
One of the worries about drying clothes outside is that the weather can change quickly and rain down on your almost dry articles. You can always check the weather forecast via news or apps online.
2. Ideal Hanging Stuff
Personally, I like the old steel cable for my clothesline, although plastic coated and cotton are highly suggested. They last longer, clean easy and don't sag even with heavy articles. I also prefer wooden clothespin as they are organic and environment-friendly. You can also use a hanging clothespin rack to hang smaller items like socks, undies, and hankies.
3. Pick An Ideal Site
Another worry for drying clothes out is the ire of the neighbors. If you have a close neighborhood but have a fenced backyard, then perhaps you can freely dry your clothes in the backyard. If you have a wider space and neighbors are far apart, as in a homestead, then it's good news. Even then, you still have to consider where you set up your clothesline. Make sure there is no smoking, burning, and composting going on when drying clothes if you don't want your laundry to smell. Set it far from falling leaves or fruit, which may stain the clothes.
4. Mind The Sun
While the sun can disinfect and make your white items whiter, it cannot be said for your colored ones. The harsh heat of the sun can potentially ruin the fabric and make the color fade. Pick an area for your colored pieces to dry where the morning sun can shine on them, while trees or a structure can shield them from the afternoon sun.
5. For Softer Articles
The extreme heat of the sun can also make thicker fabric like jeans or towels stiff and coarse. You can add half a cup of vinegar when washing the clothes to help keep the fabric soft. Keeping your clothes in a cool and dry spot after folding them properly will also eventually make the pieces softer.
6. Use Some Shade
For light and colored materials or clothing, drying them under shade or dappled shade is a good idea. The wind can easily do a good job of drying them and the shade will help protect the light material from wearing and the color from fading.
7. Iron Less
Before hanging the clothes, give each piece a good snap or shake to take out folds and creases. When hanging bedding, you may fold a blanket or sheet in half. This way, the corner top will neatly hold on to the line with a clothespin. For your clothing articles, make sure to pull the ends tight but not stretch it, so they don't sag and result in wrinkles. With fewer wrinkles and creases, you may even skip ironing altogether.
8. You Can Hang Dry Indoors
You can dry clothes indoors on a drying rack. With a drying rack, you can save on space and organize your clothes better. Hanging clothes indoors, especially in winter, helps increase humidity levels and helps maintain a humidity level which is good for your nasal passages.
9. Sorting Laundry Articles
Sorting the articles and hanging them up according to their group will also make folding easier once they dry. I remember feeling all frustrated when I randomly hang articles because I want it done quickly. I've learned my lesson and now with socks, undies, shirts, and sheets nicely separated, folding and keeping them is so easy.
Follow the step-by-step guide and steps on how to dry laundry in this video:
Now you know how to dry laundry on a clothesline outdoors or a drying rack indoors. Don't you find it practical, simple, and even nostalgic? Now your little ones get to experience hide and seek and tag among the hanging clothes just like how it was in the days of old. Learn how to dry laundry without the drying machine and experience wholesome fun!
Will you dry laundry without a machine now? Tell us your thoughts about it in the comments section below!
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This post was originally published on June 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I love drying my clothes outside, especially sheets and towels the smell is amazing and the towels are more absorbent. I have been line drying my laundry for years. In this area there are communities where the HOA doesn’t allow clotheslines, something I just don’t understand
If it was April 1st I could maybe understand this, but I wonder looking at the post below! So much for America the land of the free! Not allow clotheslines indeed! Anybody tried that back here in England and you’d get lynched using the clothes line! Everybody with a small patch of ground air dries their laundry when they can, always have and probably always will! Different countries different routines I guess! 😉 cousins!
How do I keep the towels soft? Even with fabric softener, they are stiff and my kiddos complain about the roughness.
It kind of defeats the purpose of line drying, but if you have a dryer toss the towels in there for a few minutes after they dry. Use the no heat setting. If you don’t have a dryer, you can do it by hand by stretching, rolling, wrinkling and crushing them. Any sort of agitation should soften them up, but doing it by hand can be a bit of a pain…in the hands. =D
Also works great for socks!
You can put vinegar in with your wash load. Either pour some in or you can use an old downy ball.
I am in my 60s and I can’t remember when I didn’t hang out my laundry. I have a dryer and, maybe, I use it 5-10 times a year. Even in winter, the laundry goes out. Of course I live where the winters are milder than in the northern part of the U.S., but snow, cold, ice, etc., out they go. I have a small retractable line in the utility room and a folding hanger for indoor hanging or to finish drying. At one time, I had a line across my living room for winter drying. Now, I have a pulley clothesline from the deck to the tree and will soon purchase an umbrella dryer for when I need more line.
On the comment about soft towels, I hate them. Towels are supposed to be rough so that when you dry your back you get a good scratch. Also works well for sloughing the dead skin without using chemicals. 🙂
I have been hanging my laundry out or in or on a rack for my 34 years of marriage. I do dry occasionally but not very often. Not only does it help with the environment, but it also makes the clothes and such last much longer.
For Christmas I want my clothesline put up so I can once again line dry my clothes. Living in a semi arid state makes line drying clothes a no Brainerd.
I live in an apartment without a washer or dryer hookup. We have clothes lines outside. I’ve gotten to where I actually hate using a dryer for my clothing