Last Updated: Jul 28, 2021
If you want to take an easy step to reduce your energy consumption and save money on utility bills, look no further than air-drying your clothes. The use of energy-intensive electric and gas tumble driers has become the norm. So much so that we often view air-drying as old-fashioned, unsightly, or we don't even consider the option at all. It's time to reverse course and let the sun and wind dry our clothing.
Air drying systems are among the least high-tech, most logical home products one can own. They utilize the sun and ambient air to dry clothing passively. The market offers a wide array of designs and styles to choose from. You can use these products both indoors and outdoors, depending on your situation and local ordinances. For folks that live in areas where outdoor clotheslines are currently banned, consider an indoor system; they can work just as well.
This article will cover a wide variety of laundry air drying systems beyond traditional clotheslines.
A clothesline is the system most people think of when they consider hanging clothes to dry. You simply need a rope or cable taught and secured at both ends about 6 feet off the ground. You can use hemp or cotton twine. You can use the metal cable as well, but this can fray and rust, so pick the cable wisely. This system is usually fixed in place, doesn't pack away, and is typically the go-to option year-round. To secure clothing to the line, you use clothespins.
Lehmans Workhorse Clothesline Pulley System is a USA-made pulley system that homeowners can use for traditional clothesline systems. With this system, you can pull a clothesline cable through the pulleys so you can stay in one place as you clip your laundry to the line.
When looking for a way to hang clothes to dry outside or indoors, there are many styles and options. Some of these include:
Rotary racks are sleek options that minimize footprint while maximizing drying space. Some great options we have found include:
These clothes drying racks are a great versatile option that you can use both indoors and outdoors. For indoor use of any clothes drying rack, an energy-efficient ceiling fan or bath fan can help speed up the drying process. You can now find ceiling fans and bath fans on Rise.
These clothes drying racks can be used indoors and outdoors, depending on the model. They are great options for areas with minimal space where you don't want a fixed system and want to pack it away when finished.
The Greenway Door Mounted Drying Rack is a sturdy, stainless steel option that can easily mount to a door without hardware. It folds away when not in use.
A retractable clothesline system is similar to a traditional fixed clothesline setup up. The only difference is it can retract, so you can quickly set it up for use and then retract it once the clothes are dry. To secure clothing to the line, you use clothespins. It's best not to leave clothespins on the line when not in use; store them in a box or back out of the elements. One widely available option in this category is the Riveda Retractable Clothesline system.
You'll want to lay heavy things like sweaters flat over a surface with airflow beneath like a horizontal rack or mesh-like this system. Bulky clothing like sweaters can sag and stretch with the weight if they are hanging. A good mesh rack we found is the OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Drying Rack.
On average, electric driers represent about six percent of your home's annual energy consumption. Different models of electric dryers consume a wide range of wattages, from about 2,000 to 6,000 watts. This wattage is equivalent to roughly 2 to 6 kilowatt-hours of electricity and translates to between 24 and 72 cents per hour of electric drying or an average of 50 cents per hour. Gas driers use less electricity but require natural gas, a fossil fuel, for their heat source. The costs add up over time, and that's not even considering the cost of the machine or necessary repairs down the road.
If you use electric driers, a tip to reducing energy consumption and fire danger is always to keep the lint buildup clean. Another tip is to shorten the dryer hose to the minimum length necessary to reach the drier. This step will reduce the energy required to pump out the moist air from the drier. We highly recommend that you opt for ENERGY STAR-rated washers and driers to get the most efficient appliance.
Clothesline products are typically very long-lasting and will vary depending on the brand and quality that you choose. There's virtually no maintenance, no electronic components to break down. Even if it does break and you can't fix it, it's affordable to replace.
In most areas, clotheslines are legally permitted and very common. Some housing developments and jurisdictions have attempted to ban clotheslines; however, the controversy surrounding this has often resulted in the lifting of these bans. Be sure to check local ordinances and laws before utilizing an external clothesline drying system.
You will save in energy bills from reducing your use of electric or gas tumble driers. Air drying is much gentler on fabrics than a tumble drier. The combination of heat and tumbling wears away at the strength of fibers. In synthetic fibers like polyester, this will result in microplastics shedding into waterways.
Air drying won't shrink your clothes as heated tumble driers can. Sunlight can kill bacteria odors on clothing. You can even sun bleach white clothing in direct sunlight.
In the summer, when the house is hot, running a drier does not make much sense. It makes the most sense to use the outside heat to dry your clothes instead of creating more heat in your home.
In the wintertime, you can move your exterior operation indoors. Check out our article on how to dry your clothes during the winter.
Air drying clothing often takes longer than a tumble drier. The time needed will depend on temperature, humidity, and wind. Expect 2 to 4 hours on a moderately warm day. To speed up the process, you can use your washing machine's fastest spin cycle to remove as much water as possible before stringing up the clothing to dry. A front-loading washer typically has much shorter spin cycles than a top-loader.
If you air-dry clothes indoors, it can add some humidity. If you are in a space where dampness is an issue, you will want to stick with outdoor drying or ensure proper ventilation.
If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies attributed to pollen, keep an eye on pollen forecasts in your area on the days that you dry your clothing outdoors. This step is typically only an issue in springtime.
Sun can fade dyes; it's typically best to dry clothing in partial shade and not always in direct sunlight. White clothing is the exception here.
Sometimes exterior dust can gather on fabric dried outdoors, or clothing can be slightly stiff after it dries. An easy fix is to toss it in the drier on 'no heat' and run it for a few minutes to soften up the clothing and pull off any dust.
Reducing our energy consumption is essential to our health, wealth, and the wellbeing of the planet. Air-drying clothing just makes sense. It saves money, lowers your environmental footprint, and is not difficult to do. Before you toss your next load of laundry in the drier, think twice, and consider switching to air-drying methods whenever possible.
Based in Washington State, Tom's education focuses on holistic land management that sustainably grows renewable building materials in a way that replenishes natural systems. His interest is in building systems that combine old techniques and modern science.