For many, especially younger generations, the latter statement is closest to being true. When the clothes dryer entered the America household in the 1950s, line-drying soon fell out of vogue and families began to rely on this modern appliance to quickly and easily complete a necessary household chore. While we’ve all probably had to hang something to dry at one point or another–a wool sweater that could shrink under intense heat or a scarf with delicate fibers that could be damaged by a tumble cycle–line-dried clothes are more often seen on laundry-detergent bottles than in backyards. As a result, fewer people have hands-on experiences with line-drying. On a far more disappointing note, many homeowners associations have made it illegal to hang laundry outside to dry.
However, whether due to economical difficulties or a movement spurred on by Project Laundry List and other homesteaders to reclaim the right to line-dry, the number of people who view the clothes dryer as a must-have appliance has decreased in recent years. (See “Recession Obsession” in the infographic below.) In 2009, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 66 percent of Americans considered the clothes dryer necessary.
How to Line-dry
While it appears many people are returning to the simple task of line-drying, many willing homesteaders still lack the fundamental knowledge to do it right. Use the tips below to properly line-dry your laundry.
* Hang shirts by the hemline, not the shoulders. Place one pin on each side, and one in the middle for button-ups. (Button the collars and cuffs, too)
* Hang jeans by the waistband.
* Fold pants for crease lines, and hang by cuffs.
* Turn out the pockets of jeans and pants for faster drying.
* Hang skirts by the hemline.
* Hang socks by the toes.
* Hang dresses by the shoulder seam.
* Hang underwear on inner lines, hidden from view.
* Hang linens and towels with one-third to one-half folded over the line, and pin in place.
* Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to wash to keep clothes soft after line-drying.
* Avoid line-drying outside on rainy days, and aim for days with a slight breeze.
* If your line-drying clothes happen to get caught in a rain shower, just let them dry longer.
* Shake laundry before hanging to remove lint and wrinkles and keep fabric soft.
* Smooth clothes as you hang to avoid wrinkles.
* Space clothes well for air circulation to increase drying speed.
* Hang clothes in the morning.
* To avoid bird droppings and other natural elements dirtying your clothes, do not hang under a tree.
* Keep fabric colors bright by avoiding hanging in direct sunlight.
* To decrease creases and wrinkles in your clothes, avoid folding over the line.
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