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Tip Store: Laundry: Drying
Hang on Hangers
I used to put the shirts on hangers and hang on the curtain rail above our heater. Worked like magic.
Contributed by Karen Thompson
Contributed by Karen Thompson
Laundry Adaptation
Our laundry is located at the end of our garage, and it is a completely walled off area from the garage, the door between the garage and the laundry has been made by my husband using square lattice, it is perfectly functional as a door and keeps the dogs out of the laundry if needed but it has a dual purpose, as it then becomes my clothes dryer in wet weather, it is perfect to hang up undies, tea towels and socks etc without taking up valuable floor space and no need for pegs, although it is possible to hand things like tea towels using pegs. I also have a rail up near the ceiling where I hang up my clothes on coat hangers to dry, this saves lots of ironing and space.
Contributed by Penny Hughes
Contributed by Penny Hughes
Laundry Rules
Just a tip for when doing your laundry: we always hang our laundry out on the clothesline then once dried we fold the laundry into the basket to save on ironing and electricity. Where you can always buy clothes and other laundry items that you do not have to iron. Wash them then dry them on the line so that you have a crease free garment to fold straight into your basket. Another tip is if you have a pergola at the back of the house hang a rope from the beams to use as an undercover clothesline and there you have another clothesline you can use when the weather is wet.
Contributed by Esther Simioni, 13th June 2013
Contributed by Esther Simioni, 13th June 2013
Drying Overnight
If you don't have a covered clothes line, when the weather is cold and rainy, hang your clothes inside overnight. Chances are they will be dry in the morning (depending on the fabric - of course jeans won't be). Your house is normally well ventilated so you shouldn't have to worry about mould as it's for one night and there's no cost for running a dryer.
Contributed by Tegan Young, 16th July 2012
Contributed by Tegan Young, 16th July 2012
Soft and Dry
I live in Far North Queensland so have to resort to using the clothes dryer in our wet season-to stop static on clothes I have 2 tennis balls in the dryer! It makes lots of noise so have to shut the door, but has saved on purchasing "dryer cloths" from the supermarket to do the same job! A win-win for my budget and the environment!
Contributed by Monique Moreno, 12th July 2012
Contributed by Monique Moreno, 12th July 2012
Shade the Clothesline with a Market Umbrella
Interesting reading about Liz Wylie's recycling a doona cover to provide shade in her back yard. A couple of years ago a friend had a large market style umbrella that was broken beyond repair in a wind storm. She gave the fabric part to us and we put it up over our Hills hoist. We secured the corners with cable ties and the middle of each side with the cord from old venetian blinds. It has withstood many windy days over the past 5 years and protected our washing from bird droppings coming down from overhanging trees. It also provides great shade.
Contributed by Lionel Barnett, 12th January 2012
Contributed by Lionel Barnett, 12th January 2012
A Time Saving Tip
When hanging clothes out to dry, put anything that can be hung on a coat hanger. It takes about the same time as pegging the item, but saves oodles of time with ironing. This only works if you hang clothes out shortly after the washing has finished. Does not work if clothes have been left for hours in the machine. I had a family of 7 and quite a few t-shirts and my husband's business shirts needed no ironing at all.
contributed by Mandy Broadhurst, 17th May 2011
contributed by Mandy Broadhurst, 17th May 2011
Drying Wet Washing Nicely
I hang wet Shirts and polos directly onto clothing hangers to dry. Once dry they go right into the wardrobe. Many do not need ironing. This saves a lot of time and energy and clothes line space. Contributed by Carolyn Chernabaeff, 31st January 2011
The Broomstick Clothes Dryer
With electricity prices on the rise and as the winter days are short and often dull, it can be hard to dry all the family washing. I now lay a broom between my two clothes airers. I hang undies and socks on the airers and then put all shirts and windcheaters on coat hangers and hang these on the broomstick. I have found I can usually fit two loads out this way. By placing near the fireplace or air-conditioning outlet I can get the washing dry without it costing me a cent more. (I have managed to avoid using my dryer at all).
Contributed by Julie B., 5th July 2010
Contributed by Julie B., 5th July 2010
Winter Washing
To save money and energy, install a washing line in your carport. You can still hang your washing out on wet days and have it almost dry by evening. Finish them off in the dryer, or leave them on a clothes horse in a warm room overnight. Dry washing in all weather .
Contributed by Annette, Corio, 25th May 2009
Contributed by Annette, Corio, 25th May 2009
Save $$$, Heat Your Home and Dry the Washing
Approximate $ Savings: $30 - $40 per month
With winter fast approaching and autumn so cold and wet, drying your washing means relying on the trusty clothes dryer. This means an increased electricity bill and increased effect on the environment. We have ducted heating in our home and have noticed that at night, the bathroom gets really warm. A lot of wasted heat! So we now hang t-shirts, jumpers, jackets and much more on hangers and then hang them from our shower rail and also on a hanging rack overnight and close the door. By doing this, the heat in our bathroom is no longer wasted, our clothes dry overnight and we have cut down use of our dryer, lowering our bill and cutting down the effect on the environment.
Contributed by Anne, Bayswater, 11th June 2010</i
With winter fast approaching and autumn so cold and wet, drying your washing means relying on the trusty clothes dryer. This means an increased electricity bill and increased effect on the environment. We have ducted heating in our home and have noticed that at night, the bathroom gets really warm. A lot of wasted heat! So we now hang t-shirts, jumpers, jackets and much more on hangers and then hang them from our shower rail and also on a hanging rack overnight and close the door. By doing this, the heat in our bathroom is no longer wasted, our clothes dry overnight and we have cut down use of our dryer, lowering our bill and cutting down the effect on the environment.
Contributed by Anne, Bayswater, 11th June 2010</i
Good Laundry Routine Avoids Dryer Use
I have a little one with a dust mite allergy and in cloth nappies. I have heaps of laundry to do and so far we have managed without a clothes dryer. (Although I have bought one for the next bub!) Sometimes I have to do two or three loads of washing in a day and I don't want to spend the whole day at home with washing. To save time and using a clothes dryer, we have two laundry hampers (and the washing machine on standby) to store dirty clothes until better weather. I also have two big clothes drying racks which each can fit one load of washing on it. Lastly so that I have time in the morning to go out rather than washing, I will do two loads of washing at night and put them on the drying racks. Some things dry before I need to put them out the day after. In the morning, when I get up I start the washing machine that I have loaded the night before, to do the third load of washing. Then I put the two loads and the third load into two laundry baskets and put all the laundry out at once. My little one doesn't mind putting the laundry in the basket so that he can play outside!
Contributed by Cynthia, Glenwood, 25th May 2010
Contributed by Cynthia, Glenwood, 25th May 2010
Power-free Clothes Dryer
Over the years I have resisted the temptation to purchase a clothes dryer. Instead I have used various forms of the old laundry airers which can be pulled up to the roof. My current one, which my husband made for me, cost about $20 and holds a washing machine load easily. It dries my washing overnight even in winter as the warm air in the house rises up to the ceiling. Even in winter I usually have dry clothes overnight!! I can't imagine how much money I have saved over the years by not gobbling up electricity with a dryer and by not buying clothes dryers not to mention damage which may have been done to the clothes by being exposed to the heat in a dryer.
Contributed by Suzan, Healesville, 15th March 2010
Contributed by Suzan, Healesville, 15th March 2010
Save Drying Time
To save drying time (if you have to use the dryer) put a clean dry towel in with the wet laundry - it'll cut down the time by half so you only pay for half as much power.
Contributed by Marion, Perth
Contributed by Marion, Perth
Homemade Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are nice to use, but can be expensive. Make your own by mixing equal quantities of fabric softener (regular, not concentrate) and warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. To use, just give a few light squirts of mixture onto a face washer and toss into the dryer with the load. You can use Chux, flannel squares etc instead of a face washer. You will get many loads out of one bottle of mixture, at a cost of around 40 cents a bottle.
All Weather Drying
To stop rain from re-wetting your drying washing, put a picnic gazebo over the clothesline. It will stop the heavy rain from soaking the clothes and as a bonus the clothes can still line dry outside without fading.
More Dryer Sheets
If you use a dryer and are in the habit of putting dryer sheets in with the load, cut them in half. A half sheet works just as well as a full sheet and you are doubling the amount you get for your money.
Drying Washing
To try and save on drying costs with washing in winter I have purchased a drying rack for $10 and place the washing over a ducted heating vent and cover with a sheet this acts as a heating chamber, this works really well. Thankyou for all of the tips on this site it is fantastic.
Contributed by Carolyn, Noble Park, July 16th 2006
Contributed by Carolyn, Noble Park, July 16th 2006
Ready-made Drying Closet Saves Money
Approximate $ Savings: $30.00 an electricity bill
When renovating our house we placed a ducted gas vent into our bathroom. I now put the clotheshorse in the bathroom and close the door, the room acts as a drying closet. The heater is on warming the house and drying the clothes at the same time. No more dryers for us
Contributed by Lisa, Ballan, 13th August, 2007
When renovating our house we placed a ducted gas vent into our bathroom. I now put the clotheshorse in the bathroom and close the door, the room acts as a drying closet. The heater is on warming the house and drying the clothes at the same time. No more dryers for us
Contributed by Lisa, Ballan, 13th August, 2007
Faster, Cheaper Drying with Dryer Balls
Approximate $ Savings: $250+ per year
Unfortunately due to not having a large house to hang washing inside and wet winters sometimes I need to finish off drying the washing in the dryer. I leave the items hanging in our carport as long as possible to dry off as much as I can but if it's raining and the wind is blowing they never dry (especially our towels)! I always feel guilty using the dryer not only for spending the g $ but also for not conserving energy and the environment. Last week I saw a packet of 2 'dryer balls' that you put in the dryer with a load and they help separate out the washing to reduce drying time and the nodules on them help fluff up the fabrics. I saw them for $14.99 full price with 30% off and decided to think about it. I then saw them in the 'As seen on TV' store for $29.99! I went into another large store and saw them full price for $5.99! This was a bargain so decided I would give them a go. What a difference they make - the towels were dried in honestly a quarter to a third less in time and they felt so lovely and soft and fluffy. It was so wet over the weekend I dried some clothes too and again the same experience. I'll never buy fabric softener or dryer sheets again (no unnecessary chemicals in our clothes) and with using less electricity I will be saving real money. I fully recommend these funny balls and may even get some for presents for my friends and sister in law (our cats liked chasing them too when they weren't in the dryer!).
Contributed by Danielle, Ellerslie, 23rd June 2008
Unfortunately due to not having a large house to hang washing inside and wet winters sometimes I need to finish off drying the washing in the dryer. I leave the items hanging in our carport as long as possible to dry off as much as I can but if it's raining and the wind is blowing they never dry (especially our towels)! I always feel guilty using the dryer not only for spending the g $ but also for not conserving energy and the environment. Last week I saw a packet of 2 'dryer balls' that you put in the dryer with a load and they help separate out the washing to reduce drying time and the nodules on them help fluff up the fabrics. I saw them for $14.99 full price with 30% off and decided to think about it. I then saw them in the 'As seen on TV' store for $29.99! I went into another large store and saw them full price for $5.99! This was a bargain so decided I would give them a go. What a difference they make - the towels were dried in honestly a quarter to a third less in time and they felt so lovely and soft and fluffy. It was so wet over the weekend I dried some clothes too and again the same experience. I'll never buy fabric softener or dryer sheets again (no unnecessary chemicals in our clothes) and with using less electricity I will be saving real money. I fully recommend these funny balls and may even get some for presents for my friends and sister in law (our cats liked chasing them too when they weren't in the dryer!).
Contributed by Danielle, Ellerslie, 23rd June 2008
Best Ever Peg Basket
Approximate $ Savings: Free if you are a gardener, just a recycling idea.
Instead of buying, every few years, the plastic coated peg holders that hang on my laundry trolley, because the plastic cracks and flakes off and it becomes rusty, I have used a plant pot, black, that is approximately 25cms wide, it is quite a sturdy pot, it must have some rubber in it as it hasn't cracked and I have been using it for about 8 years and it is always out in the weather. The pot isn't anything out of the ordinary just a pot I acquired when I bought a larger shrub or small tree. Next you need to get a wire coat hanger, unravel it and attach one end of it through one of the holes on the top lip of the pot, twist it to secure it, you will need some pliers and then wind it around the handle of the laundry trolley as many times as you like to get the height you want it. Too long and the pot with the pegs in it will sway too much and be a nuisance. Then attach the wire to the hole opposite the one you first used and voila! you have a peg holder that doesn't deteriorate, that has drainage holes and the wire coat hanger doesn't rust, I guess because it's steel. I love it too because having 5 children I needed lots of pegs and it holds quite a lot and there's no holes for them to slip out of. It cost nothing and was recycling items I had at home. I must admit now, one of my sons thought the idea up and made it for me! I could send a photo but would have to get one of the five to help orchestrate that so let me know if you want one and I will arrange it, as they have all left home. Hope this makes sense.
Contributed by Kathy, Newtown, 30th May 2008
Instead of buying, every few years, the plastic coated peg holders that hang on my laundry trolley, because the plastic cracks and flakes off and it becomes rusty, I have used a plant pot, black, that is approximately 25cms wide, it is quite a sturdy pot, it must have some rubber in it as it hasn't cracked and I have been using it for about 8 years and it is always out in the weather. The pot isn't anything out of the ordinary just a pot I acquired when I bought a larger shrub or small tree. Next you need to get a wire coat hanger, unravel it and attach one end of it through one of the holes on the top lip of the pot, twist it to secure it, you will need some pliers and then wind it around the handle of the laundry trolley as many times as you like to get the height you want it. Too long and the pot with the pegs in it will sway too much and be a nuisance. Then attach the wire to the hole opposite the one you first used and voila! you have a peg holder that doesn't deteriorate, that has drainage holes and the wire coat hanger doesn't rust, I guess because it's steel. I love it too because having 5 children I needed lots of pegs and it holds quite a lot and there's no holes for them to slip out of. It cost nothing and was recycling items I had at home. I must admit now, one of my sons thought the idea up and made it for me! I could send a photo but would have to get one of the five to help orchestrate that so let me know if you want one and I will arrange it, as they have all left home. Hope this makes sense.
Contributed by Kathy, Newtown, 30th May 2008
Solar Clothes Dryer Saves $520 a Year
Approximate $ Savings: $520 per year
I have a family of 4, with three of them being males who all play sport at least twice a week so I have a lot of washing to do with work clothes, school uniforms, sports uniforms, towels and bedding as well as my clothes. I normally have 12 loads of washing a week and living in cold, damp Melbourne it is tempting and would be easy to put each load through the clothes dryer. Instead, even in the depths of winter, I use the clothesline or the clothes horses to dry the clothes. If the day is dry then the washing goes onto the clothes line. If it is forecast for showers it goes over the clothes horse under the verandah and if it is damp or wet the washing goes onto the clotheshorse in front of north facing windows. Wherever it goes, the power of the sun dries it in no time and I save at least $1 a load, adding up to at least $520 a year that can be used to build our Peace of Mind Account and Emergency Fund.
Contributed by Anne, Wantirna South, 9th September 2009
I have a family of 4, with three of them being males who all play sport at least twice a week so I have a lot of washing to do with work clothes, school uniforms, sports uniforms, towels and bedding as well as my clothes. I normally have 12 loads of washing a week and living in cold, damp Melbourne it is tempting and would be easy to put each load through the clothes dryer. Instead, even in the depths of winter, I use the clothesline or the clothes horses to dry the clothes. If the day is dry then the washing goes onto the clothes line. If it is forecast for showers it goes over the clothes horse under the verandah and if it is damp or wet the washing goes onto the clotheshorse in front of north facing windows. Wherever it goes, the power of the sun dries it in no time and I save at least $1 a load, adding up to at least $520 a year that can be used to build our Peace of Mind Account and Emergency Fund.
Contributed by Anne, Wantirna South, 9th September 2009
Car Dries Clothes
Approximate $ Savings: $200
To dry my clothes when it is raining I have a clothes line in my garage (which is not unusual) but it is carefully positioned so the clothes hang above the engine of the car. When I have been out driving in the car and put it back in the garage, the warmth of the engine dries the clothes in no time. It saves me money on using the electric clothes dryer and puts the otherwise wasted energy generated by the car to good use.
Contributed by Susan, Curl Curl, 4th December 2009
To dry my clothes when it is raining I have a clothes line in my garage (which is not unusual) but it is carefully positioned so the clothes hang above the engine of the car. When I have been out driving in the car and put it back in the garage, the warmth of the engine dries the clothes in no time. It saves me money on using the electric clothes dryer and puts the otherwise wasted energy generated by the car to good use.
Contributed by Susan, Curl Curl, 4th December 2009