A great way to save on energy (and money!) in the summer is to use a clothesline instead of a dryer. I’m still trying to figure out how I might be able to rig one up in our backyard (which isn’t too flat), but in the meantime I’ve been keeping a list of tips for when it’s ready. Some of you already getting clothes outside on the line might also find these helpful.

One of the things I love best about line dried clothes is the fresh, outdoor smell. I also like the crisp feeling when it comes to line dried sheets, but I’m not a huge fan of crispy-feeling jeans. To soften clothes in the wash a bit more for line drying, store a gallon of water mixed with a cup glycerin in the laundry room. Add 1/2 cup of the mixture to your wash or rinse cycle for every load.

Next, to make washable blankets nice and fluffy, try adding 2 cups of white vinegar to the last rinse cycle. This should also help to get rid of any lingering soap residue.

For grass stains, blot with a mixture of 1/3 cup white vinegar to 2/3 cup water. Remove as much of the stain as possible and then wash as usual.

For items that need to keep their shape, hang them on a non-metal hanger (you don’t want rust marks on your clothes!) first and then hang it on the line, securing with a clothespin if needed. Also, to get socks to dry faster, hang them by the toe with a clothespin instead of just folding them over the line.

If you have any other simple laundry line drying tips, please feel free to share them!

Photo By: cpriest

Since spring is here, I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of our older posts that might still be of interest to you now. If you have any ideas to add, please feel free to share them! :)

• With farmers markets getting started soon for the season, check out a few tips for easy homemade vegetable washes using household items such as vinegar, salt, lemons, and grapefruit seed extract

• Save money this spring and enjoy healthier ingredients by making your own cleaning products such as wood cleaner & polish, sink scrub, or homemade linoleum cleaner

• If you’re struggling with a cold, or simply want a healthy solution for chapped lips, minor burns, or an upset stomach check out these natural at-home remedies

• Find out what simple changes you can make during your next meal to help improve digestion

• If you’re up for some more DIY action, try making your own natural homemade dish soap or foaming hand soap. You can even make your own customized scents with essential oils