One of the things I like to in the summer, when the weather cooperates and I am home, is hang my laundry out on the line to dry.
There are multiple benefits to line drying. First off, I’m “Doing Without” the dryer–so I’m saving the money it costs for the electricity to run the dryer. I’m also saving wear and tear on the dryer by using it less often, which will extend it’s useful life.
Then there are the non monetary benefits. I find hanging laundry out a peaceful endeavor. It’s difficult to multi-task when you are hanging laundry. I guess if you have a headset you can talk on the phone or listen to a podcast or music. . . but that’s all. It’s one of those tasks that takes both of your hands but not a ton of attention. That means your mind is free to wander, or you can just chill and think of nothing for a few moments (a rare luxury I find).
With line drying you are spending a bit of time with each piece of clothing–I’ve discovered that I’m more likely to notice items that need repair when I’m line drying. That gives me an opportunity to fix things before they get even worse.
Finally, when I do laundry on the line I’ve gotten in the habit of folding it as it comes off the line. It only takes a little more time, and then I’m going back into the house with a folded load–the task complete–rather than a basket of dry laundry that will sit in the living room until someone gets around to folding it.
I wish we could line dry, but we all have allergies and don’t want pollen on our clothes! I actually air dry all of my clothes indoors, year-round. In addition to saving wear and tear on the dryer, it saves wear and tear on the clothes. It’s amazing how much newer some of my t-shirts look than my husband’s. All that “lint” in the trap is actually part of the clothes….
An added benefit is that your clothing will last longer. All that lint you get out of the trap is part of your clothing fiber where they tumble against each other! Love your blog!