That’s right, winter doesn’t mean its time to stop drying your clothing outdoors. Your clothesline is missing you!

Now, I maybe should have timed this post at the start of winter, but I just found this out! Did you know you could dry your clothes outside during our cold winter months? My husband told me this and I DID NOT believe him. I thought he was joking. But he wasn’t! He said his mom used to do it all the time when he was a kid (And his mom was – the BEST).

So, I did a little digging, read up on it and I have started to do it this winter. It turns out that you get many of the same line drying benefits as you do in summer! Your clothes smell good, your whites get brighter, and you save money. Of course, since it is chilly out, there are a few differences. Read along to find out how you can do it too!

So How Does It Work?

To successfully line dry clothing, there are three things you need: temperature, humidity, and time. Obviously, in summer you have the heat, so your clothes take less time to dry. But in the winter, there is less heat, so you’ll need more time to dry. Hang your clothes on your clothesline early in the day so you get the most drying time possible! And avoid moisture. You wouldn’t hang your clothes out to dry in a rainstorm, so don’t hang them on a damp winter day either. Wait until it is a sunny, dry and windy day- the perfect combination!

But Do They Actually Dry?

Yes! It’s freeze dried! Remember sublimation from elementary school? Don’t worry, I couldn’t tell you what it means either. This is when a solid goes directly to a gas. So your wet clothing will freeze on the line, but when you bring it in it will be dry or just a little damp. You can hang it to dry the rest of the way or fluff in the dryer if you must!

Line drying in the winter is also sure to give you some laughs. Our kids thought it was pretty funny when the pants and shirts we brought in were frozen stiff in their shape!

Running your dryer can add a lot to the carbon footprint of your household. Your dryer accounts for 6% of your total home energy usage! So, the next time theres a sunny and chilly winter day, why don’t you try it! It will cut down on your emissions, save you money and give you a giggle!

I’d love to know if you’ve tried this before or if you’re willing to give it a go!

Until next time,

Keep Doing More Good

Launne