Airing out the laundry

Going the "natural" route of doing your laundry is not just better for the environment, but it's cheaper and better for your clothes. Triple whammy.

Last year, we purchased a Whitney Design retractable clothesline for $25 and it's been an awesome investment.

Photo courtesy of eBay.

J attached the device to the side of our house in the back yard. He put the corresponding hook on a fence post, since there wasn't much else in the yard to attach it to.

Retractable clothesline hook.

When the line is not in use, it retracts back into the main device. We have no complaints about this product. The line extends to 40 feet and has been able to hold all of our laundry, including heavy towels.

Line drying is awesome for those who choose to cloth diaper. Your diapers will stay whiter (the sun acts as a natural stain remover), and they will stay in better shape than if you were to tumble dry.

Line drying cloth diapers and wipes in the back yard.

Reasons for line drying:

1. Saves on energy costs.
2. Preserves the life of your clothing. Tumble drying adds much more wear and tear to clothes.
3. The sun will naturally remove many stains. (To enhance this feature, from time to time I will squeeze fresh lemon juice on stains and let them sit in the sun for awhile. Be sure to re-wash after doing this.)

Tip: After line drying, put your clothes in the dryer for 5-10 minutes. This removes any stiffness and helps remove pollen/debris that may have blown onto your clothes outside.

Any suggestions on how to line dry in the winter or in an apartment?