Kind of obvious - Hang out your clothes

[FarmerChick]

yea I am the opposite. I despise the crunchy clothes and even trying some dryer and some hanging, ugh, I still hate the stiff. I like my dryer and use it all the time but I do always hang out sheets and blankets and big items etc.......I do cut down on dryer use for some items etc. I do what I can but for me this is a pet peeve and I like my clothes the way I like them. So try to use the dryer less by getting tips like---dry very light weight items all together only.....they dry fast and don't require more time for drying if heavier items are in there. Jeans I hang out for a bit or give an extra spin cycle to get kinda dry and then dryer lightly.....so I am working on it..HA HA

 

[pioneergirl]

Its ok FarmerChic...we all have our 'thing', lol...like me with the homemade mayo, ugh. But I wonder, if you line dried, then say put them in the dryer on 'air' with a dryer sheet, if that would take out the crunchies and make them soft? *shrugs* I don't know, lol. I am thinking of gettting a drying rack, or heck, if someone can give me the plans, maybe even making one, lol

 

[FarmerChick]

yea I tried different combos of drying. putting the clothes out for 10-15 mins. then putting in the dryer with a sheet and they still seemed stiff.
Then I reversed it.....dryer for a bit, then finish off outside. I don't know, LOL, just me but the dryer gives me pure softness I just love.
But I am still working on how to cut dependency on that dryer. I will work out something..LOL

Ya know Mom always hung outside and I don't remember her clothes being so rough.....time to ask Mom tomorrow if there is a secret or something I am missing..LOL

I almost bought a dryer rack at Walmart. Wow that thing was flimsy and cheap so I skipped on it. I would think making one would be kinda easy. Maybe 2 X 2 sides in an X shape and then adding dowel rods across for support. Should be simple I would think....never tried to make one though. I camp and wanted to bring one along camping to hang out stuff to dry like bathing suits etc. Maybe I might make one also...

 

[Beekissed]

You know? I haven't noticed any stiffness with my clothing washed in the homemade liquid laundry soap. I haven't tried it for jeans yet, but my linens, blankets, towels, etc. all come out fresh and soft. You might try distilled vinegar in your rinse water for added softness.

I haven't used any softener in the dryer, or washer, since buying those blue dryer balls about 2 years ago. No static, no perfumey smells, soft clothing, no grease spots on the clothing, dries more quickly...well, there's just no down side to them!

 

[pioneergirl]

My jeans are still a bit stiff, even with the homemade soap, but then again, I have REALLY hard water. Haven't tried the vinegar yet, so thats next on the list. I don't think about it because it doesn't bother me. But like you said, Beekissed, my other clothes aren't stiff, either.

FarmerChick, we all have our preferences I wouldn't sweat it, especially since you do so many other things for your little corner of the world!

 

[FarmerChick]

HA HA
I won't sweat it but I hate the fact that the stupid stiff gets the better of me. I will fight to the death trying to make those clothes soft out on the line..HA HA

 

[Beekissed]

For hard water, someone said adding Calgon to the homemade mix will help with this. Wouldn't hurt to try?

 

[pioneergirl]

hhmm, never heard of that, but it sure can't hurt..I'll let you know!

 

[Homesteadmom]

HA HA
I won't sweat it but I hate the fact that the stupid stiff gets the better of me. I will fight to the death trying to make those clothes soft out on the line..HA HA

Karen, one thing I do when it is really hot here I hang my clothes on the line at night & they are not as stiff then. If I get them off the line before it gets hot the next morning.

I love my clothes line & they can have it when they pry it from my cold dead fingers!!! Ha HA In fact I have not used my dryer at all since we moved out of the old house(DH has not hooked it up yet) in Feb. I also have a dryer rack that I use in our bathrm/closet when needed. Sometimes I use it for socks, undies & wash cloths & hang the towels outside. I did it yesterday & I am glad as a dust storm came up suddenly & I only had to grab towels off the line fast.

 

[FarmerChick]

hey homey---HA HA HA

Karen, one thing I do when it is really hot here I hang my clothes on the line at night & they are not as stiff then. If I get them off the line before it gets hot the next morning.

*******interesting. I have not tried that method. It is so hot here also maybe the clothes just dry too fast or something????? I don't know..LOL...but worth a shot. thanks for the tip and I will try it....BUT...hanging overnight, does it ever effect it at all???? I wouldn't think so but staying damp and drying slower might work to keep things softer???
thanks