We are blessed to live in beautiful northern California and get to enjoy sunny weather most of the year.  As I have walked the path of becoming healthier, I have also tried to reduce my impact on the environment.  One of new things I have started incorporating into my lifestyle is drying my clothes outside on a clothesline.  We switched to a natural, unscented laundry detergent many years ago but were still using the dryer and dryer sheets.

Research studies have shown that the chemicals that are used to scent these products are harmful to our health.  Drying your clothes on a clothesline in the sun achieves the scent that these detergents attempt to capture through chemicals.

For starters, you need a good clothesline, attached to sturdy posts (fence or side of house) and hung up very taut.  Pick up some clothespins and store them in a container that keeps them dry and clean.    Make sure to clean your clothesline once a month by wiping it down.

Drying your clothes on a clothesline has many benefits.  Your clothes last longer when dried on a clothesline, a dryer shortens the life of your clothes by wearing them out faster.  The lint in your dryer?  Yup, it’s your clothes wearing out faster.  Using a clothesline not only benefits your wallet by having your clothes last longer, you also use less energy, therefore your electricity bill will be a little less each month.  Hanging out your clothes to dry can take a little more time, I’ve noticed that for the average load of laundry it can take me 10-15 minutes to hang it out and pick it up and it is a relaxing way to enjoy the backyard.

Not sure you want to go all out and start drying all of your laundry on a clothes line?  Start with a small line and some of your clothes.  As you get the hang of it, extend your line or hang another rope.  Make sure you watch the weather report and plan ahead.  On a sunny day, you can hang out your clothes before leaving for work and pick them up when you get home.  Sunlight is a natural sanitizing and bleaching agent, it will also give your clothes a fresh smell.

Here are some tips:

• Large items – sheets, heavier sweatshirts, large shirts – should be hung on the outer part of the line and smaller items in the center.
• Lessen wrinkles by giving them a good shake before hanging them to dry.
• Dark, colored or bright items can fade in the sun, hang these inside out.
• Dressy clothing can be damaged by clothespins, you can hang these on a hanger and pin the hanger to the clothesline.
• Stretchy clothes and some knit garments should not be hung out on a clothesline.  Read their labels.
• White clothing – can be left out in the sun longer; this will lighten any stains.
• If you intend to iron some of your clothes, you can remove them while they are still damp and iron immediately.