Even though we love dryers, and they have become increasingly eco-friendly and energy-saving through the years, sometimes nothing beats air drying your laundry, the old-fashioned way. The wind and sun work together to create the ultimate all-natural dryer for freshly cleaned laundry, and can provide you with freshly air-dried clothes, complete with a bright, sunny smell. Line drying is an activity that is chosen less often than using a commercial clothes dryer, mainly because of the extra effort and time that takes to complete it. However, there are some that assure us we should be taking advantage of this technique, since it’s a safer and greener option. So in their name, and putting the environment first, here are a couple reasons why you should start line drying your laundry in the open air!

1. It’s environmentally friendly. First and foremost, line drying your clothes will save on energy! You probably already use the best detergent to wash your clothes, and as such you want your drying process to be equally eco-friendly. For many households, the clothes dryer is the second-most energy-consuming appliance, right after the refrigerator. However, by simply switching from using a clothes dryer to air-drying your clothes after washing them, you could reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
2. It saves your clothes. Have you ever cleaned the lint trap in your dryer? Well, we have some news for you! The lint that is scraped off of a dryer’s lint trap after each load is visible evidence of the dryer shortening the life of your clothes. Even after using gentle laundry pods to wash your clothes, they can still get damaged in the dryer. Especially if you’re unsure about the drying cycles you should use. So, even though your laundry detergent is safe, your clothes may not be. Line drying will prevent your clothes from withering or shrinking each time it’s sent to get dried, and it will also save you the cost of re-purchasing them over time.
3. It whitens and disinfects clothes. The sun-s UV rays can be used to disinfect water and damp laundry. When hung dry on a clothesline, it even helps to remove lingering stains. More so if your detergent is also a brightener, like the best laundry pods usually are.
4. It’s gentle on clothes. Clothes dryers can cause wear and strain on clothing when it’s tossed and tumbled in high heat. Or if it’s exposed to the heat for extended periods of time. Line drying is, obviously, more gentle since there is no tossing or tumbling of clothes. It’s just the heat from the sun and the natural breeze.
5. It helps you save money. Air drying your clothes is much cheaper than buying a clothes dryer and dryer sheets. Actually, it’s free! Since you save on the energy consumed when drying clothes, you’re actually saving money!
6. It encourages you to go outside. There is something very therapeutic about line-drying your clothes outside, especially when the weather is refreshingly beautiful. Line-drying your clothes means a little extra time in the sun and a little extra time in the fresh breeze whenever you do laundry.
7. It reduces wrinkles. Yes! This one is our favorite reason. After drying your clothes from pins on a clothesline, hang them up outside and let the wrinkles dissipate. Since the clothes are weighed down by the water, they naturally stretch to their original form, thus removing any wrinkles that may appear from drying in a crumpled position. This works best when it’s windy out, and it’s also beneficial for those who don’t like to iron!