When was the last time you hung out a load of washing? Not stuff it in the dryer and walk away, but really head outside with the peg basket, and do it the old-school way? The tumble dryer has slowly crept into our homes, convincing us all that line-drying is somehow outdated. But, is it really? It’s simple, inexpensive, great for the environment, and even therapeutic. So, before you chuck on another dryer cycle, have a read of this. You might just find that your nan was onto something and dig out the pegs.
1. It’ll Save You Serious Money
Let’s start with the reason that hits closest to home, especially at a time when electricity bills are just enormous. A regular tumble dryer can use between 2 and 5 kilowatts of electricity per cycle. If you use one every second day, that’s an extra $300-$500 a year, depending on your electricity provider and the size of your household.
A clothesline uses the power of the free sun, which we’re pretty certain is free. We’re lucky in most parts of Australia to have more sunny days than we know what to do with, so we might as well take advantage of them. All you need to do is find some functional and sturdy clothes lines for sale, get some pegs, and you’re good to go.
2. Your Clothes Will Last Longer
Here’s a secret that dryer manufacturers would rather you not think too hard about: that lint you’re constantly cleaning from the filter? That’s your clothes. Every time you use a dryer, you’re literally grinding clothes to bits. Colours fade, elastic weakens, and that favourite t-shirt you love so much is looking worn out before its time. Line-drying, as you can probably guess by now, doesn’t do any of that. There’s no heat, no tumbling, no stress at all. Your clothes come off the line looking just as good as they went on – only clean and dry.
3. The Sun Is a Natural Disinfectant and Whitener
The sun’s rays are absolutely brilliant at killing bacteria, mould spores, and odour-causing microbes. So, if someone in the family has been unwell, or you’re dealing with stinky gym gear, sports equipment, or cloth nappies, line-drying in direct sunlight is far more effective than a clothes dryer could ever be. And, of course, if you’ve got white sheets, pillowcases, or school shirts that are a bit grey and dingy, just hang them out on the clothes line to dry in direct sunlight for a few hours, and they’ll be as white as snow – all without any need for chemicals.
4. It’s Way Better for the Planet
The Australian grid is still dominated by fossil fuels in many parts of the country, which means that for every dryer cycle, we’re contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Using a clothesline for most of your loads can be one of the biggest differences you can make as an average household to reduce your environmental impact. It doesn’t require any new gadgets, a subscription service, any complicated setup – just a clothesline, some pegs, and the wind.
5. It Gets You Outside
This one may seem obvious, but don’t count it out. Hanging out a load of washing can be a good excuse to get outside, enjoy some sunshine, and take a break from the screen. There is something therapeutic about hearing the sheets snap in the breeze and bringing in clothes that smell like actual fresh air. A good dose of fresh air and a mindless task can do wonders for clearing the head.
6. It Keeps Your Home Cooler in Summer
If you live somewhere that gets very hot in the summer, you already know that having a clothes dryer in your home only adds to the heat. It pumps out warmth the entire time it’s on, forcing your air conditioner or fans to work harder to keep your home cool. Using a line for your clothes moves that heat production outdoors, and helps you save money. It’s a great compound effect.
7. Clothes Just Smell Better
Anyone who’s ever buried their face in a pillowcase that’s been line-dried versus one that’s been dryer-dried will know what I mean. There’s just no comparison. The crisp, clean, slightly breezy smell of line-dried clothes? Forget trying to achieve that with dryer sheets or scented dryer pods. It’s not even close. It’s the real deal – fresh air, sunshine, and not a whiff of artificial scent in sight. It’s one of those small pleasures in life that can make a big difference in how good it feels to crawl into bed at night.
Bottom Line
Line-drying your clothes is not going backwards; it is going forward for your hip pocket, your wardrobe, your health, and the environment. So, just pick out one of the models of clothes lines for sale and find joy in the most basic of things in life. When you consider that most of Australia enjoys brilliant weather for a large portion of the year, there is no excuse for not taking advantage of this.
