Drying tips

For those who grew up with the tumble of the dryer, the main challenge to line drying might be a lack of simple know-how. Proper hanging is important to minimize wrinkles, stretching and the potential for dirt on the line to rub off.

Here are some tips for learning to love the line:

•Start with the basics and find sturdy clothespins with strong springs, said Cheryl Mendelson, author of "Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens.” Any clothing can be line -dried except knits, which might stretch and should be laid flat to dry.

•Hang shirts upside down from the bottom hem to avoid stretch or pinch marks at the shoulders. Fold sheets and tablecloths in half and pin to line, hem side up, at corners. Then pin each side to line separately at intervals between corners.

•Darks should be hung in the shade or dried inside because the sun acts as a natural bleaching agent. While it’s a good idea to hang light-colored clothes inside out to avoid uneven fading, Mendelson said the sun’s lightening powers are a blessing.

"It bleaches whites, fades stains and kills germs,” she said. "Sunlight can weaken fabrics if excessive, but it’s not nearly as damaging as chemical bleaches.”

•Only dry clothing outside until the weather drops to the 50s, Mendelson said, and then move drying to a wooden floor rack in the basement, laundry room or garage. Homeowners can also install a drying cabinet, where they can hang clothes in a closet-like space and not take up precious room on the floors.

•Those worried about losing that dryer-soft feel can reduce stiffness by giving clothes a firm snap before hanging them and when removing them from the line. Terry cloth towels are notorious for line-dried stiffness, which can be reduced by tossing them in the drier for about five minutes before placing them back by the shower.

Kelly Tagore, an editor for "Martha Stewart Living,” recommends adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle or 1/4 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle for softening.

"Of course you can always just learn to enjoy the rough texture, "she said. "After all, it’s exfoliation. People pay good money for that at a spa.”