If you want to save money or electricity consumption, drying clothes without using a dryer by drying them outside the house can be the right choice. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and bleaching agent. In addition, drying clothes by hanging them on a clothesline keeps clothes in better condition than if you were using a machine. As an added bonus, you'll smell the delightful scent of freshly picked dry clothes!
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Part 1 of 5: Preparing a Room to Dry Clothes
Step 1. Check the applicable regulations
Some apartments or housing estates may prohibit their occupants from placing clotheslines on their balconies or backyards because hanging clotheslines is considered “unsightly” and could reduce property value. So, before you attach a clothesline, talk to the manager to see if there are any restrictions on this.
If the housing where you live prohibits the use of clotheslines, it might not hurt to discuss with the manager to provide waivers so you can save money and energy
Step 2. Attach the clothesline
You can choose the simplest way by running a nylon rope between two wooden posts. In addition, you can purchase clotheslines that roll up automatically, freestanding clotheslines with rotating hangers (like an umbrella), and clotheslines with pulleys that allow you to hang clothes without moving around.
- There are a variety of materials you can use as a clothesline, such as paracord, plastic and cotton rope, or strong jute rope.
- Be careful when choosing a tree to attach the rope to. Some trees secrete sap and some are a favorite place for birds to make nests.
Step 3. Keep the clothesline clean
If you don't clean the clothesline regularly, over time dirt, sap, and the like will build up. Of course, all this dirt can transfer to "clean" clothes that have been washed. To avoid this, clean the clothesline with a kitchen sponge and a little detergent and water every month. Wait for the clothesline to dry before using it.
Don't forget to clean the clothespins regularly because they can also get dirty, plus soap residue that may accumulate. Discard any damaged clasps. Remember, it never hurts to stock up on a lot of clothespins because you'll always need them
Step 4. Add a clothesline
Currently, there are many folding clothes racks on the market that are made of quality materials so that they will not snag clothes. Or, you can place a table near a clothesline to dry clothes that need to be laid flat, not hanging.
An old folding table can easily be turned into a place for drying sweaters. You can simply remove the tabletop and replace it with a nylon mesh (or other waterproof material). This method is very practical because you can always fold the table and store it when not in use
Step 5. Use a clothes horse
You can use this kind of rack to dry delicate fabrics or dry a small amount of clothes outdoors, on a patio (with waterproof flooring), or if you want to take advantage of a small area of the garden that gets direct sunlight and isn't large enough. to attach a clothesline.
- If you have small children, choose a clothes horse with logs attached at a safe distance, not one with a leash as it is potentially dangerous.
- The use of clothes horses is also more practical because they are easy to move around so you can “catch up with the sun” as its rays move across different areas of the yard.
Part 2 of 5: Choosing Clothespins
Step 1. Use metal tongs for inelastic clothing
The stainless steel clothespins are perfect for sheets, towels, play clothes, and other items that won't deform or stretch. Metal clasps are an effective option for holding sheets and other heavy objects. In addition, metal clasps will not rust or rot.
Stainless steel clothespins can last the longest
Step 2. Use wooden clothespins for items made of sturdy fabric
Sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and clothes made of strong materials such as denim can be hung using wooden clips. Do not use wooden clasps for delicate or lacy, beaded or other lace embellishments as they can catch and tear. In addition, wood tongs can get moldy. So, make sure it is dry before storing it.
Step 3. Use plastic clothespins for cotton and other elastic materials
Plastic clasps with clips are the best choice for undergarments, T-shirts, knitted items, and stretchy garments. Plastic clips won't stain or get stuck on clothes, and light and light clothes can be clamped securely and tightly.
Step 4. Keep clothespins indoors
The weather outside can affect the quality of the clasps and cause them to deteriorate quickly. After use, wait for the clips to dry before placing them in a plastic bag. Keep clothespins indoors, for example in the laundry room.
Part 3 of 5: Hanging Clothes to Dry
Step 1. Run the “spin” cycle again after washing if the washing machine has this option
This will help remove excess water from the clothes and save drying time. Otherwise, you can simply wash the clothes as usual. Then, take the clothes out of the washing machine, put them in the basket and take them to where you put the clothesline. If you're not in a hurry, you can save electricity without spinning and drying your clothes longer.
Step 2. Use plastic hangers to dry delicate clothes
Hang the clothes on plastic hangers and use tongs to secure the hangers on the clothesline so they don't fall off in the wind. Be careful if you want to hang the hanger on a clothesline in windy weather because the hanger can be blown off by the wind or clothes can fall off the hanger.
You may need to carefully clamp the garment onto the hanger and use a plastic hanger to prevent stains from forming
Step 3. Hang the towel
Hang the towels by folding one of the edges on the clothesline and pinching each end. For a softer dry towel, shake the towel vigorously before hanging it on a clothesline. Do the same when you lift it from the clothesline.
- Towels that dry faster will feel softer, for example, try hanging them in warm, windy weather.
- You can also put them in the dryer and spin them for 5 minutes before drying them or after removing them from the clothesline.
- Adding vinegar to the last rinse can also help keep the towels from getting stiff once they dry.
Step 4. Hang the sheets
Hang the sheets on a clothesline and make sure the seams are parallel, then secure with a pin. Then, pinch the bottom of the sheet, about a few inches from the corner. Position the sheet so that the sheet is exposed to the wind so that it can fly like a sail and use your hands to make sure that the hanging parts are level and even.
- It's a good idea to hang bed linens, tablecloths, and the like wide enough to take up less space on the clothesline and put the weight on the weave of the vertical yarn, which is stronger than the filler yarn.
- Hang blankets and other heavy objects between two or more ropes if necessary.
- Make sure you hang pillowcases and the like with the open side facing down.
Step 5. Hang up the trousers and shorts
Long and short pants can be dried on the clothesline. Hang trousers and shorts by clipping the waist on a clothesline to minimize tangling.
Step 6. Hang the top
Most tops can be hung on a clothesline. Hang the shirt by folding the hem on the string and pinching the ends.
When hanging clothes from 100% cotton, do not pull or stretch clothes that are still wet and pinch them. This action can make the garment expand
Step 7. Hang the dress and skirt
Most dresses and skirts can be dried on a clothesline, but hangers are recommended to reduce wrinkles. Hang the dress over the shoulders if it's straight or at the hem if it has a full or flared skirt.
Hang the skirt in a straight line on the waistband and pin it on each side. Hang the full or flared skirt by pinning the hem
Step 8. Hang the underwear
Hang the socks by pinching the toes, the bras by pinching the ends of the hooks, and fold the waistband of the panties on the clothesline, then clamp each side. Fold the handkerchief in half on the clothesline and pinch each end.
Step 9. Hang colored clothes in the shade and white clothes in the sun
So that the color of the clothes does not fade, you need to hang them in the shade. White clothes and linens can be dried in the sun, which will naturally bleach them. Or, you can hang colored clothes upside down (the good part is inside) to make the color last longer.
Step 10. Attach the clothespins in the hidden part
To prevent pinch marks on clothes, try pinning them in an invisible area. If you hang your clothes carefully, drying them on a clothesline will keep them from getting too wrinkled, saving you time on ironing.
To save on the use of pins, stack clothes and use one tongs to hang one end of the garment and the other. This will also save space on the clothesline. However, do not use this method if it makes it difficult to dry heavy clothes. Be careful when superimposing colored clothes and make sure they don't fade
Step 11. Do a clothing rotation
Clothes and fabrics dry at different speeds. If you need space to dry more clothes, check regularly to see if the clothes are dry. If so, lift and hang other wet clothes to dry. For example, sheets dry quickly, but they also take up a lot of space on the clothesline.
Step 12. Fold the clothes after removing them from the clothesline
This step can help you save ironing time and make it easier for you to save it later. Once you've removed the clothes from the clothesline, shake them vigorously to bring them back into shape, then fold them neatly. If you intend to iron it, remove the garment while it is still damp and then iron it immediately.
- Do not store clothes that are still wet. It can make clothes moldy.
- If you throw clothes in the wash basket carelessly, they will all get wrinkled. This carelessness will piss you off and all the effort to hang and dry clothes so carefully will be wasted!
Part 4 of 5: Drying Clothes on a Flat Surface
Step 1. Dry the woolen or knitted garment on a flat surface
Fabrics that stretch when wet, such as wool and knitwear should be dried on a flat surface such as a special sweater rack. You can still hang them outside, perhaps on a table or other clean surface.
Step 2. Dry the textured fabric on a flat surface
Some fabrics, such as flannel, terry, chenille, and knitted fleece and faux fur, don't look great on a clothesline. There's nothing wrong with testing your clothes first rather than generalizing everything because most fabrics are fine drying on a clothesline.
If the clothes label says you shouldn't dry them in direct sunlight, hang them on a clothesline in the shade or indoors
Step 3. Dry the coated/fur filled equipment on a flat surface
Sleeping bags and thick blankets don't always dry out perfectly on a clothesline because the contents inside can drop at one end. To avoid this, hang the sleeping bag/blanket over some clotheslines like a tablecloth. This way, the weight of the blanket will be evenly distributed.
Part 5 of 5: Choosing Good Weather for Sunbathing
Step 1. Choose warm and sunny weather
The best weather for drying clothes outdoors is a warm, sunny day. A light breeze will help the clothes dry faster.
- The role of the wind is actually more important than direct sunlight to dry clothes.
- Sunlight will make the color of the clothes fade. So, do not dry clothes too long in the sun! For faster fading, dry clothes upside down (outside is inside) or dry in the shade, and remove clothes as soon as they dry.
- Flying pollen can stick to clothes. So, be careful when drying clothes in the open so as not to trigger allergies. Or, machine dry the clothes while the flowers are blooming.
Step 2. Don't hang clothes outside on windy days
A light breeze will "smooth" the wrinkles and speed up the drying process. However, strong strong winds can blow clothes into neighboring houses. Also, clothes can get caught in wires, plants, and so on and risk tearing.
Clothespins can hold clothes well in windy weather if they are installed at a certain angle
Step 3. Don't dry clothes outside in case of a storm
If the weather forecast predicts strong winds or the possibility of rain, do not hang clothes outside. Wait until tomorrow and hang the clothes indoors, or use the dryer.
You can also use covers for swivel clothes racks. It's the perfect size to cover a rotating clothes rack and is perfect for drying clothes outdoors even when it's raining! You can also cover the rotating clothes rack with plastic (or an old shower curtain) to prevent wet clothes
Step 4. Don't hang clothes outside in cold weather
Besides you can get cold, clothes also take a long time to dry. If the weather is too cold, the clothes won't dry completely and risk an unpleasant odor.
