Don’t Knock It Before You Try It
Clothesline
Many years ago my dear friend called me on the telephone. She was so excited because her husband had installed a clothesline in her backyard. My initial reaction was, “Wow, she is easy to please!” When she encouraged me to also use a clothesline, I could not possibly fathom taking the time to hang out my family’s clothes. After all, my dryer worked perfectly well.
Fast forward a few years. I now have two more children which requires many more loads of laundry a week. Gas prices have skyrocketed and other services are following suit. Every month our electric bill is higher and higher. We use a programmable thermostat on our air conditioning. We keep raising the temperature so the central air will not have to work so hard during the summer. Unfortunately, our bill did not decrease enough.
Out of necessity, I suggested that we use a clothesline to dry our clothes. My husband, Lane, just happened to be helping one of our neighbors who asked him if we needed two t-shaped posts. My husband took our neighbor up on his offer. Then Lane surprised me by installing a very nice clothesline in our backyard.
Using a clothesline is actually enjoyable. I was honestly surprised! The clothes dry quickly. I fold them as I take them off the line. Therefore, I don’t have piles of clean laundry on the couch waiting to be folded. At the time that the clothesline was first installed, I had an infant. So I really enjoyed my time outdoors in the breeze and sunshine. Now that my baby is older, he enjoys playing under the clothes as they dance in the wind. Today I still feel as if I am bringing in the freshness of the outdoors inside our closets.
Our biggest shock came with the arrival of our first electric bill since installing the clothesline. It was almost exactly half of the previous month’s bill. I thought it was a fluke. But throughout the year, we enjoyed much lower utility bills. Using the clothesline was dramatically easing our financial burden.
When I suggest that people begin using a clothesline instead of their dryer, I know most cannot imagine their life without that modern convenience. There are so many advantages to using a clothesline. I have not even mentioned the environmental impact. Using solar and wind power to dry your clothes is not only enjoyable, economical, but it is also easy to do. Don’t be like me years ago. Don’t knock it before you try it.
I have used a clothesline for years and love it! Mine is the spinning kind since my backyard is rather small. It definitely takes more time than just throwing the laundry in the dryer, but that time is well spent out in the sun and fresh air – and nothing beats nice, crispy, line-dried towels in my book.
I agree, I love our clothesline and there is nothing like putting on a shirt and smelling the fresh country air that dried it. It has tremendously lowered our utility bill as well which is a much appreciated bonus.
I got an umbrella style clothesline last year. I love the smell of sheets dried outside. I have found that I shouldn’t dry towels or undies on the line because they get stiff. I use very little detergent since we have soft water and an HE washer. Any tips? Drying your self off with a stiff towel isn’t pleasant. And the kids all complain about the chafing caused by the undies….
Sarah and Kat,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with a clothesline. I agree with you. The fresh air smell stays with your laundry.
Marjorie,
However, I have not noticed our undies being stiff.
My towels are definitely stiff. We are just used to it and think about the exfoliation our skin receives after each bath.
i started using the clothesline i had put up after the dryer went kaput for the cloth diapers, to help with wear and tear & add to resale value. on hot or windy days i’ll use it for everything else too. i throw the “crispy” towels in the dryer to fluff for 5min afterward though.
Great tip about the towels. Thank you so much for your comments and tips. I appreciate them. Lara
I must be doing something wrong, my laundry does not dry with a fresh smell and is quite stiff almost rough feeling. Any suggestions?