Hanging Clothes Outdoors, Blast from the Past or Back in 2026?

The other day, I walked by a home in our rural town with clothes hung outside. It brought me back to my parents’ home in the early days. Each day began by hanging clothes outdoors.

My mom would run the laundry early in the morning and then immediately hang the clothes outdoors on the clothesline. It was a ritual.

Could Hanging Laundry Save Electricity?

One of the biggest reasons people are starting to put their clothes and bedding outside to dry is to save on the high cost of electric bills.

Today, running a dryer is more efficient than it was 50 years ago. However, with today’s higher electricity costs, it remains unaffordable for many, especially those living in rural areas.

According to Energy Sage, dryers use 1,500 to 5,000 watts of electricity on average – this number depends on the model you have. If you use a clothes dryer every day it would cost an average of $20 per month.. However, they noted that it also depends on which state you live in.

Some states have high electric costs, and don’t forget the taxes and surcharges.

Saving On Electric Bills in Summer by Drying Laundry Outdoors

So if you are spending more to keep your home cool in the hot summer months, why not hang the clothes outside to dry? If you don’t have the classic outdoor hanging ropes, you could purchase an inexpensive clothes rack to hang clothes outside your home.

This could save you on the high cost of electricity during the summertime. However, here in Northern Maine, we had our highest bill one year when we ran a heat pump to stay warm. It was the last time we turned that on to stay warm, as our bill increased over $600.00!

We invested in a pellet stove, which paid off the costs in just one year. Today, we have 3 pellet stoves running on very cold days.

How To Properly Hang Clothes

Putting up clothes outside to dry isn’t rocket science, but a few tricks help. Start by shaking out each piece before you hang it on the line. This reduces wrinkles and speeds up drying. Use sturdy clothespins to secure clothes, especially on windy days.

For shirts and pants, hang them upside down. This prevents awkward peg marks on shoulders and waistbands.

Opt for a breezy, sunny spot for faster drying and fresher smell. Remember to check the forecast first. Rain can ruin your line-dried dream.(That used to happen many times as I was a kid, and they spelled even better afterwards.)

Lastly, don’t overcrowd the line. Allow space for air to flow between items. This ensures everything dries evenly and smells fresh.

Reminiscing about Old Days with Hanging Laundry as a Family

Back in the 70s and 80s, we used to hang clothes and pick them up as a family. We would often talk while working together.

Oftentimes, my dad wasn’t there because he worked a side job in addition to his full-time factory job and often worked overtime for extra money. That’s something you don’t hear about much today.

The average weekly hours are around 34 today in 2026.

My dad’s generation, and even I, when I worked for corporate America, always worked at least a 40-hour workweek. I worked 2-3 side jobs before having kids, and once they were older, I kept doing them to afford the things we needed.

Tackling Issues While Doing Laundry

I never forgot the year my grandmother died back in 1981. We were very close. The morning of her funeral, my mom was putting the laundry up on the rack out in the yard like every other day.

I wondered to myself, how can she do this while grieving for her mom? The funeral was only a few hours away.

As I got older, I understood that whenever I was under stress, I would do laundry. In those days, people didn’t take medications for stress. They worked and worked. It helped me to deal with stress throughout my life.

Conclusion: Are hanging Clothes Making a Comeback?

So, on my walk the other day, I noticed the house with the clothes hanging. I’ve noted a few others on our long rides into town to get supplies as well. It appears more people are starting to take advantage of hanging clothes racks.

Do you take your clothes and bedding outdoors to dry today? I