If you live in an area where this is an issue, you might like to join those advocating for relaxation of such rules so that you can save money and energy too.
A variety of materials, such as paracord, plastic rope and cotton or Hemp Cording will work well for a clothesline. [2] X Research source Be careful about which trees you use for the ends of your clotheslines. Conifers drip sap, and some are common roosting places for pigeons.
Also clean the clothespins regularly, as they can sometimes get dirty, or even build up soap residue. Throw out broken ones, and remember that you can never have too many clothespins, so replace them regularly as well.
An old folding table can be easily turned into a sweater-drying stand. Simply remove the table top and replace with nylon netting (or a similar waterproof surface). [4] X Research source The beauty of this is that it can be easily folded away when not in use!
If there is a child around, choose a clothes horse with safely-spaced rods instead of potentially dangerous strings. The clothes horse has the benefit of being portable, so you can even “chase the sun” if you like as the shadows move around your yard.
Stainless steel clothespins last the longest.
You may need to pin the clothing with great care to the hanger, and only ever use plastic hangers to avoid staining.
Towels that dry faster on the line can feel softer, such as hanging them out on a windy, warm day. You could give them a quick 5 minute tumble in the dryer before hanging them up or after bringing them in off the line. Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle might also help to reduce towel stiffness.
Widthwise is best for hanging items such as sheets, tablecloths, and flatwork because it takes up less space on the line and puts the stress on the warp yarns (the yarns that run lengthwise), which are stronger than the filling yarns. [10] X Research source Hang blankets and other heavy items across two lines, or more, as needed. Always hang pillow cases and similar items with the open side down.
When hanging 100% cotton items, don’t pull or stretch the wet clothing and pin it, as this may cause items to widen.
Hang straight skirts by turning over the waistband and pin each side; hang gathered or full skirts by the hem. [14] X Research source
To conserve clothespins, overlap garments and use one pin to hang the end of one piece of clothing and the beginning of the next. This can be space-saving on the line as well, although don’t do it where the overlapping would prevent drying on thick items. Use caution when overlapping colored items to be sure the dye doesn’t bleed. [18] X Research source
Do not store damp clothes. They will grow mildew. If you toss clothes into the basket without caring how they fall in, you will have a basket filled with wrinkled clothing. Not only is this disheartening but it undoes all the good you did hanging the clothes so carefully!
If the care label says not to dry in direct sunlight, hang the item over the clothes horse in the shade or indoors instead.
For example, you can wash a down jacket in a large tub with a small amount of natural detergent. Then lay it flat to dry. Fluff it up to avoid down from sticking together.
It is more important to have a good breeze than it is to have direct sunlight. The sun can fade your clothes, so don’t leave them out too long! To lessen fading, dry clothing inside out or dry them in the shade, and collect the item as soon as it has dried. Airborne pollen may cling to clothes, so watch out for your outside clothes-drying aggravating your allergies. If it does, use a dryer in the spring.
Clothespins will hold best on a windy day if placed at an angle. [22] X Research source
You can also use a rotary clothes dryer cover such as the Rotaire Dryline. It fits over a rotary line and allows you to dry clothes outside even when it’s raining! You could also cover your rotary dryer with a piece of polyethylene (or an old shower curtain) to keep your clothes dry.
You can dry clothes in the basement, on a line or on racks, during the winter if the clothes are wrung out well beforehand. However, avoid doing this if you live in an already humid environment, as you’ll be increasing the humidity.
