I had 5,362 curtain panels to wash, and there was no way I could wash and dry that many with just the inside drying racks. It would take years since I have four racks and each panel would take up a whole rack. So it was time to take the wash out to line dry. Winter line drying is not like summer drying. The wash will actually freeze solid, sometimes within minutes of putting it on the line. So the trick is to pick a sunny and windy day. Get the wash on the line first thing in the morning and let it hang until just before the sun goes down. It will actually freeze dry if the wind is in your favor. When you bring them down they may feel like boards. Gives them a quick couple of snaps and bring them in to warm up. Most of the time once they warm up they are almost completely dry. A few many have damp spots on thick fabric, and 1/2 hour on an inside rack will do the trick.
On lookers may think you have lost your marbles, but you will be the one reaping the reward of fresh smelling laundry even in the winter.
Wow--that's a lot of curtains--LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI do miss that fresh, clean scent of line dried laundry in the winter. I hate dryers.
I sure do wish I had my moms old clothes line ,heck,I wish I had my old house back that was moms. Long story ,but I really miss that house!
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I took "frozen" clothes off the winter clothes line. I was so afraid they were going to crack and break in half!
ReplyDeleteYou've got a heckuva lot more snow than we do! Boo-hiss, no fair!
I still hand laundry out on the line in winter (although our winters aren't as cold as yours), but I try to do it according to the weather....windy & some sun. The laundry bin does tend to overflow a bit in the colder months.
ReplyDeleteDang that just looks like a lot of work.
ReplyDeleteI dislike laundry entirely. But line-dried laundry is the best!
~Beth
Brr. Now I use 100% solar dryer, but we do not have that kind of winter.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of sunshine in my home and can't imagine switching!!
Jennifer
5,362? What? Is your house made of windows? But I also hang my cloths out to dry...did laundry yesterday! No snow to speak of (temps in the high 50's) and a slight breeze. All dry in a couple hours. There are times when I do not miss the cold and snow of Iowa at all!
ReplyDeleteOh, I have so missed reading your comments and commenting on your blog. I haven't been able to for about a week. I logged in in Google Chrome and now no problems.
ReplyDeleteI hope those new windows keep you warm!
Sue, that was the good part of it all, the curtains brought such a nice smell into the house after a day outside.
ReplyDeleteJudy, well you can always put a line out on your deck :)
Mama Pea, and we have your cold. It was 0 this morning and I didnt know it was getting that cold. I was afraid I would have frozen animals this morning.
CR, of that would be nice to be able to hang all year round.
Beth, strangly enough, I dont mind laundry. But cleaning the bathroom...yuck!
Humble wife, Plus never putting anything in a dryer really helps keep the clothes in much better shape.
Tom, I really felt like the house was made of windows as I was washing them all. Sometimes I envy those who dont have to put up with 0 degree temp to start the say like we did today. I get tired of being cold.
Robin, we already have noticed a slight difference, so hopefully the door will really make things toasty.
nothing better then line dried,something so relaxing about hanging out clothes. We have a light dusting of snow falling today but no chance of loosing pins this winter in the white stuff.
ReplyDeleteI cant wait for the full lines of the colorful cloth diapers here :)
We got a pulley line for Christmas this year. It runs directly off of the back deck. Thanks for the pointers, especially the best time to put the laundry out and what to expect. We're building up the courage to give winter drying a try. Your post is an en-courage-ment to go for it. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMy kids will use winter dried towels as weapons LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think I might have went to the laundry mat... Or I can hang them in my basement. but I am not a fan of the cold...LOL
ReplyDeleteFarmer, good for you for choosing cloth. Lets hope you dont get two feet of snow the day the new little farmer decides it is time to make an entrance ;)
ReplyDeleteJody, that will be nice to be able to get the clothes right from the deck. Once you get that line up you will never be able to go back to a dryer.
Erin, oh, I never thought of that:)
Monica, I am no fan either, but I wear about 27 layers of clothes so not much cold can get near me ;)
WOW Jane - you will be washing panels for over a year with that many curtains. It is so nice to be able to use the clothesline all year round. Even in S.TX we can get some mornings that are downright cold and my fingers have frozen hanging out the wash. No snow though, so no complaints here!
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When hanging out in the winter, I pre-dry everything on the inside rack in the evening, then as soon as it's descent outside, I hang them out for that great fresh smell...sure it's extra work, but it adds moisture to my house, the winds beat the wrinkles out and it feeds that addiction to the clean sheets just off the line kinda smell...is it spring yet...I just ordered some heirloom seeds, so LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to have to knit some fingerless mitts. That's the worst part of line drying in winter, frozen fingers. I've heard the laundry can freeze dry, though our temps usually get above freezing during the day. Love the smell of fresh line dried clothes any time of year.
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