Outside vs. Dryer

[Meletoni]

We recently moved out to the country...our dream fixer-upper home. There are clothes-lines posts outside and my husband has offered to put lines on them for me. I have always, except for when I was a kid and my mom's dryer broke, used a dryer.

What would be the benefit of hanging clothes on the line vs. a dryer. Thinking back, I didn't really like the way the clothes felt or smelled when they were taken off the line.

Mel

[PrairieRose]

Well it would save you a fair amount of money for one thing. The clothes do smell like "summer time" to me which I really like. But I still use my dryer most often b/c of the convenience and I like for clothes to be soft.

[Jayne]

It does save alot of money,and it is easier on the clothes...I love hanging out wash, it is very theraputic for me..I get exercise, fresh air, sunshine and a feeling of serenity!!!

[Meletoni]

That is a good point about the exersize. I hadn't thought about that. If I put liquid softner in the washer, will it help with the scratchiness and smell of the clothes?

Mel

[Darlene]

I use fabric softener in the washing machine and give my clothes a quick snap before putting them on the line. Using a dryer ages your clothes faster too, elastic breaks down and all that lint must come from somewhere.;) Here's some more tips for you.

http://www.earthlingshandbook.org/laundry

[Meletoni]

It's amazing how much knowledge is out there that we have no idea about. Thanx for the link!

Mel

[homemaker carol]

I don't own a dryer and haven't for 20 some years. You get use to the clothes. Also if you hang your clothes on a windy day, you wouldn't even notice that they were hung outside except for the wonderful fresh smell. I also don't use any fabric softener on our clothes because I have 2 kids allergic to it.

[dwallyfam]

Also if you do a vinegar rinse it will help with the stiffness. If you line dry your clothes you can save as much as $150-$1000 a year in energy bills. It also makes your clothes last longer.

Kellie

[baxjul]

I always line dry! It costs $.40 per load to dry with a dryer. I use liquid fabric softner, and my clothes aren't stiff!

[Meletoni]

Wow! DH said he would hang up a new line for me tonight. I was going to use it to hang up some blankets I need to wash but with summer months coming up (I teach high school) I think I'm going to try line drying for a while. Thank u ladies for your input!