hanging out clothes ?

**ssmithson** · 07-08-2008, 12:05 AM

I live on the Arkansas/Oklahoma border and am a sahm (sort of, I do whatever I can to bring in extra money!). Anyways, I normally hang out all of our laundry during spring, summer, and fall. I try not to run the dryer so as to save money. I've noticed that lately the clothes are not getting dry even after being out there all day. And when I do bring them in and put them away, they have that yucky mildewey smell (like when you leave them in the washer too long, kwim?) I use gain detergent but no fabric softener (too cheap). So anyways, I have been using my dryer for every load. Its just too humid here. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions?

tia!
Stephanie

**sunshine** · 07-08-2008, 12:24 AM

Can you hang them until they seem dry, or nearly dry - then just toss in the dryer to fluff and aerate more than anything?

It's very humid here in Central IL too -- sometimes my clothes do that, and I just toss in the dryer for a few minutes.

**mamamia** · 07-08-2008, 02:10 AM

I've read that some of the ladies on here put the clothes through the spin cycle twice to get the clothes as close to dry as possible. Might be worth a try.

Theresa

**Hoosier Momma** · 07-08-2008, 09:15 AM

Where in Arklahoma do you live? I live in Fort Smith!

Anyway, I am hanging my clothes out too and notice the difficulty, especially with the humidity (it's already killer today and it's only 8 in the morning!) Sometimes I end up bringing some of them in and hanging them on the shower rod or tossing them in the dryer for a few to help. It's just usually with the heavier stuff, I've noticed, like dh's work shirts and such.

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-08-2008, 09:42 AM

The last two weeks, we've had the same problem here in Northern IL. It's just too humid to get things totally dry. So I've been putting things out on the line for about 2 hours or so, then I toss them in the dryer for about 15 minutes and it seems to get them all the way dry. Not the best solution, but it does help keep the mildew smell away and it's still saving money since I'm not running the dryer for the full amount of drying time!

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-08-2008, 09:43 AM

I agree with hanging them out until they are "almost" dry and then putting them in the dryer for a few minutes to dry them completely

**sdrjeolsen** · 07-08-2008, 10:33 AM

I had the same problem when we lived in Tulsa I made sure they hung in the sun as long as possible and then brought them in at the end of the day and tossed in the dryer to finish.

**cutetexancowgirl2002** · 07-08-2008, 11:02 AM

My mom lives in East Texas and we have the same problem at her house. Sometimes it seemed faster to hang the clothes inside on hangers with the fan blowing on them. If you're in the same room and need the fan on anyway, it wouldn't be a waste of electricity. Other than that we would hang them in the sun for as long as possible and then put them in the dryer for the last little bit.

**hugxlaughxsmilexlove** · 07-08-2008, 12:00 PM

I have been hanging my clothes inside but I have a fairly large laundry room. I usually put my towels in for a spin after 24-36 hours and they're fluffy and dry!