Tips for Line Drying Laundry (aka how to make it suck less)

Shoutout to all my fellow line dryers out there! Not only are we reducing our carbon footprint by not using (or using less often) our dryer, we’re also helping our clothes last as long as possible! Whoop whoop.

No shade to my dryer users, that thing is damn convenient. (And I still use mine for drying big things like blankets) But if you’re curious about line drying, read on because I’ve got some tips that might make it easier to start!

1. Invest in a quality clothesline or drying rack.

   I have a Gorilla Line and a folding bamboo rack. I love & use them both! They make plenty of drying racks that fold/collapse discreetly and you can find a convenient & creative drying solution for practically every housing situation. Long gone are the days when all you had was that weird metal umbrella contraption permanently stuck in the ground in the backyard (my grandma had one!)

2. Wash/dry small loads more often.

   This will help prevent your clothesline from becoming overloaded. Or having to hang clothes in random areas of your home because you ran out of space on the line, which means guests can get a sneak peek of your thongs because you completely forgot they were hanging over the corner of the piano in the front room (not that I know from experience or anything). Anyway…

   I used to love doing one big laundry day, but since I’ve been line drying I’ve settled into a three-day laundry routine. I do three small loads over three days to ensure proper drying time. Though in the winter I might end up doing every other day since clothes take longer to dry in the cold! For bedding, I still use the dryer. I have to draw the line there because it’s unsustainable for me to air dry my entire bedding set. (And that’s ok!)

3. Put 1/2 cup white vinegar in the rinse compartment of your laundry

   This will help keep clothes and towels soft while they air dry (nothing worse than a stiff air-dried bath towel) and will also give the laundry an extra cleaning boost! Vinegar will also help combat mildew and odors and will keep your clothes bright. It can even help prevent buildup of soap/detergent residue!

   I use a homemade laundry detergent made with washing soda, borax, and essential oils, so using vinegar in the rinse compartment (not directly mixed with the detergent) helps keep my laundry from getting weighed down with residue.

4. Spray your damp laundry with your favorite linen spray or perfume.

   I love this hack! I make a DIY Linen Spray using essential oils, a splash of witch hazel (or vodka), and distilled water then generously spray my laundry. Bonus points: use a different blend for different family members. For me: I use vanilla, cinnamon, and Joy blend essential oils. For Po, I use lavender.

5. Dry outside if possible, or open the windows to let fresh air in.

   I live in a multi-family unit where the backyard has been converted into a parking area, and TBH I’m a little sheepish about hanging clothes to dry on my front porch (🙈) so I opt for drying inside. But if you have a private yard (or have no shame about neighbors seeing your unmentionables flapping around in the wind), outdoor line drying is the absolute best! The sunlight helps kill off any possible germs/mold/odors and the smell of fresh air lingering in the fabric is magical.

Do you have any air drying hacks to share? Let us know in the comments below!