I'm a bit of an anarchist ...

... or I would be if I lived in much of the United States* (thanks to Lee over at Pink Granite for the linkie). Yes, that's right people, I dry my laundry OUTSIDE on a clothes line and everything (listen to the song!).
Our sheets, shirts, knickers and socks flap in the wind and the sun and dry without using any energy. Well, sometimes my arms get a little tired, and I've been known to snack after hanging about a whopping big load, but, seriously, not much actual electricity is expended getting the washing done at the Brown-Mouse House.
We don't actually own a dryer, this is by choice, it's only inconvenient from time to time, during a prolonged rain spell for instance. But when that happens I whip up the racks in the spare room and leave the window open.
Granted, this is no good for sheets, but we own so many sets of sheets we could go months without running out.
Our line is a folding, rotary Hills Hoist. We can fold it up, pull it out and set up our outside table in a couple of minutes.
Mr Brown & I grew up with fixed rotary Hills Hoists. We both swung from them and used them to make tents. Our parents didn't get dryers until well after we left home.
Now, I understand dryers are handy, particularly when you live somewhere where it snows 1/2 the year, but when the sun is shining, give it a go. Nothing smells better than sun-dried clothes. And there's not much better than climbing into a bed made up with crisp, smooth, sun-dried sheets. It's blissmaking.
A few tips to novices, learned from my mother, I pass them to you.
* Peg your socks by the toes, not the tops.
* Use 3 pegs across the top of towels, it makes the dry shape better.* Bright colours and dark colours, peg them inside out, the sun fades things. You can use this to your advantage though, sun bleaching yellowing whites.* When it's important to keep something's "shape", hang it on an old hanger from the line.* Don't use wooden pegs, if they get wet they grew mold & mildew and can mark your laundry.
* Beware of bat poo and early morning bird poo, bring your washing in before it gets dark.
* And finally, enjoy the bringing it in experience. Feel and sniff your sun-dried laundry. Stand outside enjoying a quick shot of vitamin D folding your laundry straight off the line, it reduces the need to iron. And, if you have nice neighbours, chat over the fence while hanging out/bringing in. If your neighbours are dicks, turn your back and sing to yourself, who cares what they think anyway!




* Or in most strata-title homes in NSW, an issue that makes me froth with rage.