Using a clothesline is one of the most popular tips for how to conserve energy and reduce electric bills. But using a clothesline improperly can result in faded or wet clothes and wasted time. Get the best results from using a clothesline by planning ahead on laundry day, using different techniques on cool and warm days and using care when hanging clothes out to dry.
How to Sort Laundry When Using a Clothesline
To make the most out of using a clothesline, sort laundry by temperature, room or family member. Many people have reduced the number of hot-water laundry loads they wash to conserve energy and reduce electric bills. Combining bath towels and underwear in one hot-water load use less hot water and can eliminate the need to run partial loads of laundry.
Washing towels and underwear together also helps to preserve privacy by hiding underwear between the rows of towels. In large families, washing all the children’s clothes together can make for easier sorting when the clothes come off the clothesline. Washing all the kitchen towels or bed linens at once makes it easy to get clothes onto the line fast.
Turn clothes inside out while sorting laundry and checking pockets. This is particularly important for dark shirts, blue jeans and pants with pockets. Turning clothes inside out helps to reduce fading and makes pants dry quicker. It also helps to reduce some of the stiffness that can result when hanging clothes out the dry. Some stiffness is loosened up as the dry clothes are turned right-side out again. One way to reduce stiffness in towels is to run them in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes before line drying.
How to Use a Clothesline in Colder Weather
It is possible to use a clothesline in colder weather as long as certain tips are followed. On cold days, try to hang loads of laundry out before noon so they get most of the day’s sun and warmth. Just as farmers make hay when the sun shines, use sunny days with some wind to wash and freshen bed linens or blankets.
On cold or windy days, leave space between clothes on umbrella-style clotheslines for air to circulate. Try to avoid overlapping clothes unless it is necessary due to a shortage of space or clothespins. Clip as little material as possible under the clothespin so several layers do not have to dry together.
Using a Clothesline in Summer Conserves Energy
One of the most important things to remember when using clotheslines in the summer is that the sun will bleach clothes if they are left on the line for extended periods of time. For this reason, all clothes should be turned inside out when line drying. Try to hang white and light-colored clothes on the outside lines of umbrella-style clotheslines.
Hanging dark clothes toward the middle of the line will create a little bit of shade and help to reduce fading. Another way to reduce fading is to take the clothes off the line as soon as possible after they are dry. In the summer, hanging clothes with their edges overlapping will save space and reduce the number of clothespins needed.
Best Ways to Hang Clothes Out to Dry
It might seem simple to hang clothes out to dry, but there are ways to do the job so clothes stay neater.
- Arrange socks by pairs on the line and hang socks by toes. When socks are dry, fold the cuffs over while the toes are still pinned.
- Hang jeans by one cuff of each leg to keep them neat.
- Smooth clothing after it is on the clothesline.
- T-shirts hung by the bottom will avoid indentations on the shoulder, make the most of clothesline space and speed hanging clothes on the line.
- Hang polo shirts and dress shirts on hangers while wet, then hang the hangers on the clothesline or indoors. Use more than one hanger to help avoid indentations in the clothes.
- Hang shorts, underwear and boxer shorts by the waistband.
Taking the time to hang clothes out to dry properly will help clothes look as neat as if they came out of the dryer. Organizing a clothesline by family member or room while hanging the clothes out to dry may sound silly, but it saves time sorting the clean and folded laundry.
Other Tips for Using Clotheslines
When it’s time to take clothes off the clothesline, bring hangers to the clothesline to avoid double work. Take clothespins off the line each time and store them in a bag to prevent the clips from becoming rusty or moldy and leaving marks on clothes. Don’t let dew fall on clothes or they will become soggy on the line and need to go through the dryer.
Using a clothesline is a great way to save more money on energy bills and conserve energy. Clotheslines can be used in warm or cold weather, but care must be taken to ensure the clothes dry properly and are not faded by the sun. To learn other ways to reduce waste and conserve energy read, How to Reduce Paper Waste in the Kitchen and Three Party Ideas to Cut Back on Food Waste.
Genna Cockerham - Genna Cockerham has been writing online since November 2008. She served as Marriage Feature Writer from December 2008 to February ...
Join the Conversation