Hanging Clothes to Dry

**cherrie79** · 05-12-2007, 04:52 PM

I just started hanging my clothes to dry outside, so I don't have to use the dryer as much... Only problem is my clothes are stiff. I use my fabric softener in the laundry, but still get stiff clothes. Mostly the towels and jeans. T-shirts usually do great or okay. Any advice. Much needed, hate drying myself after a shower with a rough towel...

**lullaby80** · 05-12-2007, 05:20 PM

I don't have any advice, sorry, just my sympathy. I line dry some of our clothes but use the dryer for towels and cloth diapers to get them soft and fluffy. Have you tried maybe ironing the clothes afterwards? That ight make them a little bit softer.

**claimsgirl66** · 05-12-2007, 06:23 PM

I usually toss some items in the dryer on hot for a few minutes, less then 5 minutes....and it does the trick. I figure I am still saving lots of money.

**IntlMom** · 05-12-2007, 06:55 PM

I actually like the "crunchy" towels - they remind me of my Grandma!

think about it this way - those crunchy towels is how saving money FEELS!!

**PB&J** · 05-12-2007, 08:07 PM

I like crunchy towels, too! lol But crunchy jeans aren't very comfy. I usually put them in the dryer with a dryer sheet and a damp towel on air fluff for a few minutes.

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-12-2007, 08:54 PM

I find that by the time I actually use them, they aren't crunchy anymore.

**acidcookie** · 05-12-2007, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I find that by the time I actually use them, they aren't crunchy anymore.

This is what I've always found, with clothes too.

**birthgeek** · 05-12-2007, 11:12 PM

For towels, use white vinegar as the fabric softener. It doesn't interfere with their absorbency the way reg. fabric softeners do, and the smell goes away when they dry!

I, too, 'fluff' my wet laundry before hanging. I find 5 mins before hanging gets rid of wrinkles a lot better than fluffing them when dry. I'll often line up 2 or 3 loads of wet, and fluff them one after another so the dryer doesn't have to keep reheating for the 5 minutes I'll use it, which is another cost saver.

**Marie78** · 05-12-2007, 11:26 PM

I can't hang clothes outside where I live in an apt. complex. My mom hangs clothes all the time though at her house and she will throw things that are really stiff in the dryer for a few minutes to fluff them up.

**pita1213** · 05-13-2007, 06:01 AM

when i was hanging clothes out to dry, i'd give the towels and jeans a good shaking from time to time, usually when i'd go check to see how dry they were. i'd also do it again when i was folding them.
as someone else said, fabric softener will retard the absorbancy of your towels after a while. try the vinegar on them.

**YankeeMom** · 05-13-2007, 09:15 AM

I also find that hanging clothes in a windy area or on a windy day helps to keep the stiffness down a bit.

Give the clothes a good SNAP! before hanging them (while wet) and after taking them down. That helps too.

Ditto the vinegar. It does not make your clothes smell like vinegar.

**Grayce** · 05-13-2007, 01:36 PM

I try and hang things out when there is a breezy day. When I hang inside I run a box fan to move the clothes as they dry. Sometimes I get sick of the crunchy towels and just use the dryer

I figure if i hang everything except the towels I am still saving some money.

**3pups** · 05-13-2007, 03:29 PM

I still hang everything outside to dry, but then I stick the towels in the dryer for just a few minutes to soften them. I'm would be fine with stiff towels but DH hates it.

**cherrie79** · 05-13-2007, 07:50 PM

Thanks everyone. No one has complained yet and I guess it's not that bad. So I will continue to hang them outside. They can cherish the softer towels in the winter... LoL