Monday, October 21, 2013

Hang Your Laundry

Do you hang dry your laundry or are you a dryer addict? Maybe you do both, depending on the weather, season, type of clothes, etc. In 1955, only 10% of American homes had dryers. They were expensive appliances and like I've covered before, families bought the things they needed and not on credit, but with cash money. Therefore, American wives were drying their clothes the old-fashioned way -- on clothes lines. Those clothes lines didn't have to be outside, though. Typically, indoor clothes lines were in the basements and if it wasn't sunny or was too cold, raining, etc., the clothes were hung inside to dry. Now, for today's "give me it now" generation, the patience required to dry clothes, especially indoors, is excruciating. However, if you plan and stay on top of your laundry each day, it shouldn't be a problem. Obviously if you need something quickly, put it in the dryer. If you have the room, though, definitely hang dry your laundry. You won't be using your gas or electric, exposing your clothes to high heat and honestly, nothing smells better than laundry hung out in the sun.