Blue Sky Farm

My blogging posts and photos are part of me . I think of this as a scrapbook of my life. The names have not been changed.. they are real people who have crossed my path along my journey. Some I know intimately, my family and friends. If their names are mentioned it's a sure sign they are special to me and I love them dearly...come along see for yourself, perhaps you know some of them too..

February 10, 2010

The lost art of Line Drying

Here my clothes line is waiting....Oh how I wish it was warmer, I love to hang my laundry outside to dry. I asked Clay to make me a clothes line shortly after we moved in two years ago. I can hardly wait to start using it again. My laundry smells so fresh and sparkling clean when hung to dry.
I can remember as a child when my mother hung our clothes to dry, my sisters & I would run under and through the sheets as they blew in the wind. Ahhhh those great memories! Did you ever do that?

Did you realize that, hanging your clothes, by line drying is a huge savings, and your clothes will last longer. Clothes hung outdoors do not get static cling. another benefit is it's good for your body, The bending, stretching and lifting it takes to get the laundry on the line is a good way to get in some exercise, without realizing it.   I like that and who couldn't save some on the electric bill?
Here are a few tips on hanging your laundry outdoor:

First if you have clothes lines already, you may want to wash your lines with warm water if they have not been used in awhile because dirty clotheslines will get your clothes dirty as well. Make sure your lines are strong and taut. Laundry will not dry evenly on sagging lines.

Choose a day that is sunny and windy or at least breezy. The motion of the breeze prevents clothes from stiffening.  You can just add vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine load to help soften the clothes you hang ( they will not smell like vinegar when they are dry.) or make your own fragrant fabric softener. You can save even more money by making your own laundry soap. I will post the recipe another time. It is so easy to do  and only costing about 4 cents a load!

Hanging sheets & whites in the sunlight early in the morning you will get full bleaching effect of the sun rays. Have you ever slept on sheets dried in the sun? Pure Heaven!

Hang colors & brights in partial shade or in the afternoon to prevent fading. You can also turn them inside out before hanging.

Hang shirts & blouses on hangers to prevent clothes pin marks on th eshoulders. Hook and pin the hanger to the line.
Just try hanging your laundry  and  I bet you will love it as much as I do.

10 comments:

Diana said...

I agree with you! I remember my Mom always hung our clothes out. I've been married 41 yrs. and I have always hung my laundry out.It's funny this subject came up, because just this morning I was thinking about hanging some out because the sun is out, maybe some light weight whites,but it's just not warm enough. I'm suffering from cabin fever I fear, but some of the birds that show up in the spring,are here, and that gives me hope.

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Hey Cheryl! Nice to "meet" you!
We have had a clothes line for many years....can't wait till the weather warms up, tho I have been known to hang clothes when it is still in the low 30's...IF the sun is shining! Is there anything better than line dried sheets? I don't think so!

Junebug said...

Cheryl - nothing better then the smell and feel of line dryed sheets. I made a clothes line last year and even have hung a few things out on the nicer day lately. I also use the line to hang quilts and it blocks off the icky part of the yard when haveing girlfriends over. A great screen! Someday a future post.

Callie Brady said...

I love my clothes line! Wish I had a pretty one like yours.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Although I have a dryer, I have two clothes lines outside that I love to use. The dryer is handy on snowy wet days, but there is nothing like the smell of line dried clothes! blessings,Kathleen

Unknown said...

Thank you Cheryl for becoming a follower on my blog. I just got here and read your whole first page. Wonderful posts, and the photos are fantastic. I too love to take pics so we can share. Love to hang my clothes out and do all summer. Can't wait to do the sheets again, they smell so good!

Nancy Jo said...

Cheryl,
Yes we always hung clothes out when I was growing up, all year, if it was really bad out they were hanging all over the house.Never did get a dryer.
I got a dryer when I had baby number two. So now I do both. hang out and use the dryer.
Going to go check out your cooking blog now.
Nancy Jo

CJ said...

I LOVE hanging clothes outside to dry :) ohh! you are making me want spring!
BTW, Cheryl, I love it that you started a cooking blog and are going to share your yummy recipes with us! Thanks :)
Hugz,
Cathy ♥♥

Dogwood said...

I have got to get a clothes line up once Springtime arrives. I love the smell of clothes and linens that have dried outside.

Thanks for the fun information...

Rambling Rachel said...

Found your blog through Project Laundry List. Keep up the line drying! I live in a townhome in a suburb and have a patio with a line along the fence. I worried about neighbors complaining, but so far, so good.

I can't wait for spring!!!