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One of the main issues homeowners struggle with during the warm summer months is keeping the house cool without significantly increasing the energy bill. Using a dryer adds electricity or gas use to your bill and raises the temperature inside the home, running counter to both goals. Instead, you can invest in an affordable clothesline that can either stretch across the yard with a line-style option or take up a smaller space with an umbrella-style clothesline.
No matter the type of clothesline you choose, you will immediately begin to experience the benefits that come from air drying your laundry instead of using a dryer. If you still aren’t sure whether this is a good idea, check out these three great reasons to line-dry laundry that are backed by expert advice.
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Brabantia Lift-o-Matic Advance Rotary Dryer
Dry up to two loads at once with 164 feet of drying space on this outdoor rotating umbrella-style clothesline.
Buy Now1. Preserve Clothing’s Lifespan
A primary reason many people choose to learn how to air dry clothes is to safeguard their laundry from the damage that clothes dryers can cause. Sara Aparicio, professional cleaner at Homeaglow, explains. “As a cleaner, I see first-hand how tumble dryers break down fibers, which is why I prefer line-drying. It’s much gentler and helps clothes keep their shape, color and elasticity for much longer,” says.
Machine dryers are far rougher on your laundry than you might expect. Since these dryers rely on intense heat and constant tumbling, this can cause the fabric fibers in your clothing and liners to break down and shrink over time, shortening their usable lifespan. Putting a dry towel in the dryer can reduce the amount of time it takes to dry your clothes, but even on the delicate setting, a machine dryer will still tumble your clothing, causing friction and damage over the long term.
2. Reduce Energy Use and Costs
In areas where the cost of using electricity differs depending on the time of day, it’s common for homeowners to wait until the best time to do laundry to try and keep their costs down. But when you line-dry laundry, you can hang your clothing and linens up immediately, instead of having them sit around for hours in the washer waiting for the optimal cost-savings period.
Aparicio notes that “line-drying eliminates the electricity or gas cost of running a dryer, so for those who do multiple loads a week due to large families, this can significantly reduce monthly utility bills.” This is one of the easiest ways for you to save on your energy bills this summer and reduce energy waste for your home, which has an overall positive effect on the environment.
3. Freshen Laundry Whites Naturally
Investing in one of the best clotheslines to line-dry laundry offers benefits beyond saving money and keeping your laundry safe from machine-drying damage; it also allows the sun to naturally remove subtle stains by sun-bleaching your whites. This process helps you avoid the use of harsh chemical bleaches and extends the lifespan of your clothing and linens.
The wind and sunlight also act as a natural odor-remover and sanitizing agent. “Sunlight is the perfect antidote to odor control, as this along with fresh air naturally deodorizes fabrics. UV rays also help to kill bacteria, which is especially helpful for towels, bedding, and gym clothes,” says Aparicio. Additionally, air-drying your laundry tends to leave your fabrics smelling crisp and clean without relying on artificial scents.
