Laundry/Dryer Question.

**dolphin** · 05-04-2005, 12:34 PM

Not sure if this is the right thread for this question but it has to do with utilities and saving money.

I want to start drying my clothes on the clothesline again, atleast sometimes, but we can't stand the stiffness.

I usually buy the cheap walmart dryer sheets and find they work fine for the dryer.

Should I start buying the liquid fabric softener and add to my machine? Does anyone use this and then hang them out and find they are still soft? I've tried the vinegar and although I may add some to my wash now and then to get rid of soap residue, I don't like it as a fabric softener.

Do any of you hang the clothes to dry and then bring them in and run them in your dryer with a dryer sheet for 15 min. or so? Does that work well and is it still saying money?

Lot's of question, lol.

**Michele Annette** · 05-04-2005, 12:44 PM

Carolyn, I run my clothes through the dryer for 15 minutes then hang them on the line. They come out good for me...not stiff and a lot less wrinkles. Also running them through the dryer gets any extra fuzzies or lint off. I don't use fabric softener in my washer. I use Arm and Hammer powered detergent and I only use 1/4 C. for an extra large load of mildly dirty clothes. If clothes are heavily soiled I will use between a 1/3 and 1/2 C. This helps get the clothes clean without a lot of soap residue.

As far as saving money...we only have electric in our apartment. We are on a payment plan where they did an estimate on how much electricity we used the first year and gave us an unchanged payment for the following year then adjusted the payment on how much we actually use each year. Our second year was $82 a month. These past two years have been lowered to $68 a month because of the less use of the dryer. We do have other appliances, but they are used the same each year without adjustments...ie. the fridge, stove, furnace, etc.

I hope that helps a bit!

**Kimberlina** · 05-04-2005, 01:34 PM

I just read something about why clothes were soft from the line in the "olden" days. It seems like it had to do with something in the wash, but not fabric softener. Maybe borax???

Give me a day or two to try to find it. It was in one of my library books, and I have about 8 out right now.

**homesteadmamma** · 05-04-2005, 02:34 PM

Carolyn, the best way to have soft clothes off the line is to wash on a windy day. You don't have to use anything in the wash - no softener at all. The wind (which is free) will blow everything nice and soft.

**zakity** · 05-04-2005, 03:29 PM

I have heard that you can throw your stiff clothes in the dryer with a damp towel for 5 minutes.

**debbiepittman** · 05-06-2005, 05:21 PM

It's very windy here in Oklahoma. My mom used to line dry some (without any softeners) and they were never stiff.

Debbie

**bridge** · 05-12-2005, 06:47 PM

I add a Vinegar to the rinse just like you would liquid fab softner.
But I also make my laundy soap and it does have borax in it!!!

But the vinegar is what I have always heard makes them soft!!

I use my Old "Downy" ball and just use vinegar. I get it for $1 a gallon at sav-a-lot.

**mom22grls** · 05-12-2005, 08:51 PM

I agree with the wind thing. When It's not too windy here, the towels are pretty stiff. I like my shirts & pants & such a little on the stiff side, though.

**Jenlee** · 05-12-2005, 10:22 PM

I hang mine on a rack and rotate them (change location and turn shirt/pants over) a few times every time.

I never dry anything of my children's except old clothes and pjs and I never have it come out stiff. Many times I will hang theirs up on the shower rod on a hanger. I wonder if hard/soft water makes a difference?

**bamamomto4** · 05-12-2005, 11:51 PM

When I hang mine out to dry I do run them through the dryer for maybe 10 mins to get the stiffness out.And I reuse the dryer sheet 3 or 4 times

**SewCrafty** · 05-13-2005, 06:55 AM

Carolyn, I use liquid Downy, but that's because I love it, the original scent.

One thing to make sure you do when hanging out on a line, is give the item a good snap (to help get the wrinkles out) then hang it up. Works every time.

**many houseapes** · 05-13-2005, 09:34 AM

Bridge: can you please give me your recipe for your homemade laundry soap? thaks! My mother had told me that someone she knew would put a dryer sheet in with the wash, then hang out the clothes and that would make the clothes soft. I always hang my clothes to dry (weather permiting) and i've never used any softener and haven't had any problems. Maybe you could reduce the amount of laundry soap..enough to get the job done, but not overdoing it...too much soap can make the clothes stiff.

**bamamomto4** · 05-13-2005, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by SewCrafty

One thing to make sure you do when hanging out on a line, is give the item a good snap (to help get the wrinkles out) then hang it up. Works every time.

Dee reminded me....I do shake mine out really good before I hang them....