How to Dry Clothes Without a Dryer

Want to be green! You can save money and help the environment at the same time by drying your clothes without a costly clothes dryer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Indoor dryer rack or:
• Clothes line and clothes pins

1. 
    
   Carol Moshier

   If using an indoor dryer rack you will need to unfold the rack and place it in a sunny spot. If drying clothes during cold months place rack in front of heater or over heater floor vents

2. 
    
   sidereal

   Place clothes in a single layer over the dryer rack. If you desire your clothes to smell like they were dried in a dryer you can do one of two things. While clothes are wet you can spray with a linen spray. Some of the more popular brands are Chesapeake, Caldrea, Bath and Body, and Greenleaf. I prefer lavender scented from Greenleaf. If you do not have a linen spray you can pin a couple of dryer sheets to the bottom of your rack. Cheaper brands like All and Bounce will work just fine. If you want to stay natural you might want to use Mountain Green Skin Sensitive products. As the heat is rising from the heater it will warm the sheets just like in a dryer and make your clothes smell fresh.

3. 
    
   radicalfutures

   If using a clothesline and pins you will need to assemble the line in a sunny spot of your yard. So now you are ready to save money and dry your clothes at the same time. First hang all pants by the cuffs in a single line. Next hang all shirts by the hem (they will be upside down). All socks should be sorted and hung with their mates by the toes. After the clothes are hung sit back and let the sunshine do its work.

Tips & Warnings

• You can hang clothes outside even during snowy winter months.
• Spray the clothes that are being hung outside to dry with a linen spray.
• Blankets and sheets dry faster if hung in a single layer. Do not fold!
• The only time that a clothsline will not work for proper clothes drying is when it is raining out or there is severe fog.

[miasavc]

on 12/29/2008 Very practical suggestions. I love drying out our clothes outside during the summer. It saves us a lot on our electric bill!

[waiting4rain]

on 11/7/2008 Great idea. I never thought of using a dryer sheet like that.