Top Line-Drying Laundry Problems Solved

Towels and Clothes Don't Stay Soft

The biggest drawback to drying towels and clothes on the line is the cardboard-like stiffness that results from being air-dried. This happens specifically on cotton towels and clothing, as the residual water molecules adhere to the surface of natural fibers, causing them to stick together.

Still, line-drying isn't always a recipe for crunchy clothes. The key is eliminating the hard water residue on your fabric.

To do so:

• Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle
• Use one-half cup of powdered borax in each load
• Lessen the amount of detergent from the get-go
• Toss the dry, crisp towels into the dryer for a quick fluff to soften them before folding.

Line Drying Aggravates Allergies

If someone in your family suffers from pollen allergies, set up a clothesline in your laundry room, basement, or garage, instead. You can also enlist the help of a foldable drying rack placed in any indoor room, or even hang clothing from your shower rod. If it's just one type of pollen that causes the allergy—like tree pollen in the spring, or grass pollen in the summer—wait for that season to pass, and then resume outdoor drying.

Line-Dried Clothes May Fade

Prevent fading by hanging your colored laundry inside out and placing it in a shady spot, or under a covered patio or carport. As long as there's a gentle breeze, ​your clothes will dry equally as well in the shade. If you're still worried about your favorite colored duds, dry your darks indoors, and only hang your whites outside. Bonus—the sun will bleach away any stains, and help your whites keep their vibrancy longer.

HOA Prohibits Clotheslines

If your HOA covenants or city ordinances prohibit the use of clotheslines, set up drying racks in the backyard, instead. After your load is dry, take your racks back inside, or stick to drying your laundry inside altogether. ​A retractable indoor clothesline or drying rack will still get the job done in tight spaces. However, check to see if your state is on the "right to dry" list, which voids clothesline bans in 19 states.

Line Drying Clothing Takes Longer

True—line drying clothes involves a little time upfront to properly hang your laundry. However, the time spent completing this task saves you both time and money on the backend. Line drying reduces wrinkles, cutting down on the need to iron, and fresh-air drying preserves fabrics, making towels and clothing last longer. Once your laundry is hung, let the sun take it from there and dry your load in about the same amount of time it would take in the dryer (weather dependent).

Line Drying May Lead to Rewashing Clothes

If your yard is decorated in fruiting trees, or if you have plenty of feathered visitors, you may be concerned about berries or bird droppings on your laundry. To eliminate this problem, hang your clothes under a covered porch or carport, in your garage, or in an outbuilding (like a barn). If dust is a problem, avoid hanging towels and clothing close to the road, or on especially windy days. Use enough clothespins to prevent clothes and bedding from falling off the line. Most items will require two, but heavier items may need more.

Line-Dried Clothing Shows Clothespin Marks

Learning how to hang clothes properly, without visible clothespin marks, is more of a science than an art. Hang shirts upside down, pinning them on the hem in a discreet location. For pants and skirts, pin at the waistband, in an inconspicuous area, to avoid marks. Tank tops and bathing suits can be hung by their straps, and underwear can be pinned on its side seam. When all else fails, a quick fluff in the dryer should eliminate any residual marks.

Neighbors May See Undies

If drying bras and underwear outside embarrasses you, hide them on your inner lines, in between towels and bedsheets. Alternatively, you can place them in a mesh laundry bag to dry, and rotate it once during the process to fluff things up. Still, if you really don't like the idea of hanging your intimate garments outside, use an indoor drying rack for this purpose.

No Room for a Clothesline

Those with small outdoor spaces can benefit from using a retractable, or an umbrella, clothesline. Retractable lines can be strung from one outdoor structure to another, and then retracted when not in use. Umbrella clotheslines expanded into an umbrella shape, and then fold up to be put away after you're done. Drying racks placed outdoors also provide a space-saving option for drying.

It Might Rain

You can't always count on Mother Nature to give you sunny skies on laundry day. But, you can check the weather before hanging your towels and clothing out to dry. If you plan to leave the house and thunderstorms are possible, hang your laundry on a foldable rack and stick it under a covered area. Should a little drizzle catch you off guard on a summer day, check the sky to see if the passing shower will be followed by sunshine before pulling your whole load down.