Laundry Experiment: Cold Water and Line Drying

Recently I was invited by Seventh Generation and MyBlogSpark to participate in Project Laundry Line.

The challenge? Wash your clothes in cold water and dry them on the line for 30 days.

Hmmm…. me thinks, I can handle that.

In fact, I was already washing our clothes in cold water and I had some experience with line drying. I also had some residual fear of bees and moths from said line drying experience. But, you know me, I’m always up for a challenge. I figured I’d find a way around that. And I did.

Yes, yes, I did.

1. Up to 10% of a home’s energy use is due to the clothes dryer. Reducing the usage (or not having it at all) was saving me a few bucks.
2. Line drying is a very savvy, green thing to do. You’re cool if you dry your clothes this way.

So, to dry your clothes on the line can make you cool and richer. Who knew?

Some observations from the first 2 weeks of the challenge:

As you can see, I’m drying the clothes indoors. Oh, let me count the reasons why… One, the weather here in San Diego is often cool and overcast. Not the most efficient clothes drying weather. Two, I won’t forget them outside. Three, I have this fear of bees.

I’m finding that I can fit two loads of clothes on this indoor clothes rack. So, if I wash and hang two loads at night, they are usually dry by morning. And, if I do the same in the morning, they are ready to be folded by bedtime. This means I can get four loads washed and dried in a 24 hour period. This is proving to be sufficient, even in a family of 8. Kids clothes dry quickly, which is a big plus.

Tricks to line drying

1. Dry clothes that are destined for the closet on hangers. You don’t have to mess with clothespins. As soon as they are dry, hang them up!
2. Pin tshirts on the line upside down. This way the “crunchy” part caused by the pinching of the clothespin will be on the bottom hem and not on their shoulders.
3. Hang socks by the toe for the same reason.
4. Don’t forget your clothes outside after dark or the bees might get them.

I also found some tips to make line drying easier:

• wash the load at night or first thing in the morning so that it has enough daytime to dry. Clothes take longer to dry in cool weather.
• shake out each article of clothing to help eliminate the wrinkles.
• hang tshirts and socks upside down so that the marks from the clothes pins aren’t as noticeable.
• hang shirts on hangers on the line. Takes just a few seconds to slip them on and makes collecting the dried clothes a snap. Putting them away is even easier.
• sheets dry really quickly. Just fold them in half and then fold them over the line.
• hang jeans by folding them over the line. Flip them halfway through to dry the other side.
• don’t leave clothes out after dark as they can attract insects, such as bees and moths. (Ask me how I know.)
• check the weather so you don’t have to rush out in a downpour, collect your clothes, and rewash them. (Ask me how I know.)

While we are back to having a running dryer, I have still left the clothes line up. Once I get over my bee/moth phobia, me and my clothes pins will be back in business.

What’s been your experience with cold water wash and line drying?

Disclosure: Seventh Generation and My Blog Spark provided me with a “Project Laundry Line” kit that included Seventh Generation Natural 2x Concentrated Laundry Liquid, a portable laundry line, clothes pins, a laundry basket, and a Flip camera to record my experience. I was not compensated in any way for participating in this challenge or offering this giveaway, nor was I required to do so. My opinions are my own. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.