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Line Dry

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In an age where environmental and green issues are making their impact this is a surprising title. Awareness of the differences in the results of the two methods is important.

Electric drying requires heavy use of resources and is expensive. You need to buy the machine, install it and pay for the electricity to run it. The finished result in the clothes is less than attractive and can leave creases well settled into the fabric even when care is taken. The clothes dried like this have the smell and feel of artificially dried material. Even when perfumes are added to improve the aroma this does not have the same result as washing dried in the air, they feel false. The only benefit seems to be speed. Wet laundry is not left lying around. When the weather is bad for a long period this might be the only way to maintain a supply of clean clothes but it has to be a fall back method.

By drying clothes on a line outside, they benefit from the fresh air which seeps into them, imbuing them with that subtle, fresh, scent of the outdoors that gives a lift to the spirits. It triggers, perhaps unconsciously, memories of summer and pleasant times in the garden. When the wind blows through the laundry, taking away the humidity, it leaves it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. That's two senses satisfied by something that has to be done.

This is a more 'natural' effect and is free. In an age when the cost of living continually mounts this is an important factor. The only materials needed to achieve this are a line and pegs. An airer can have the same effect and takes very little space. There is no need to find ways to fasten the line to supports and it is easily removed and put away afterwards.

There are different schools of thought about the sight of a line of washing. Some find it satisfying and enjoy the crack of the clothes as they blow in the wind, taking pleasure in the completion of a job well done. Others are affronted by seeing the private part of a family's life displayed to the world. This seems a slightly over reaction. There are places where neighbors notice the items pegged up and they can comment on what, if anything, you wear in bed. This seems to be a rather petty attitude. There are mixed responses to this visual sense.

By drying clothes on a line, outside, you gain in every way.

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
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