Is there any way to keep line-dried clothes from being stiff?

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

Without negating the savings from not using the dryer.

[homewithtrinity]

Not that I have ever found. I just tossed them in the dryer for 5 minutes before folding them.

[lollie010]

I just tossed them in the dryer for 5 minutes before folding them

 

This is the only thing I have every come up with.

 

Laurel T.

[Heather in the Kootenays]

Me too. I figure a few minutes in the dryer is way better than an hour.

[Harriet Vane]

We ironed everything. It took forever and drove me crazy, but it was the only way I found for the clothes to unstiffen.

[hsmom]

I usually add a little more fabric softener in the wash and also do the dryer thing.

[unsinkable]

I always throw mine in the dryer before I hang them to dry. I mostly hang towels, though. No problems w/wrinkles.

[Jeanne in MN]

before hanging them up. It's always worked for me.

[*anj*]

I put fabric softener in the rinse cycle.

 

I've heard that some people use vinegar instead of commercial fs, but I haven't tried that.

[TengoFive]

I've found using vinegar instead of fabric softener works wonders.

[hose]

If you take them off the line as soon as they are dry, it helps a lot.

[*anj*]

I've found using vinegar instead of fabric softener works wonders.

How much vinegar per load of laundry?:)

[TengoFive]

1/2 - 1 cup. Apple Cider Vinegar works the best for some reason, but regular distilled is fine.

How much vinegar per load of laundry?:)

[Doran]

I've never been terribly troubled by the "stiffness" of line dried clothes. It seems to disappear after I've had the clothing on for 15 minutes or so, just from the body heat and action of wearing the clothes, I guess. There are a few things, like corduroy, that seem to need the "dryer fluff" technique, but otherwise, it's just never been a real issue for us. Maybe it's the sort of clothes we wear. ??

[Needleroozer]

If you take them off the line as soon as they are dry, it helps a lot.

 

Yes it does. The other thing I do that I believe helps is to "snap" the item before you hang it on the line- as you take it out of the basket, shake it out, and make sure it makes a "snap" noise as you do. Especially necessary for towels, and jeans.

[Doran]

Yes it does. The other thing I do that I believe helps is to "snap" the item before you hang it on the line- as you take it out of the basket, shake it out, and make sure it makes a "snap" noise as you do. Especially necessary for towels, and jeans.

 

 

*SNAP!*....so that's the secret I had but didn't know I had! When my dh or my kids hang the laundry, it never comes out the same. Clearly they don't know about the SNAP! :D

[Needleroozer]

*SNAP!*....so that's the secret I had but didn't know I had! When my dh or my kids hang the laundry, it never comes out the same. Clearly they don't know about the SNAP! :D

 

Yup- you have the magic in you- the magic of the SNAP!! I knew you did, Doran. :D

[claussenpc]

We use vinrgar here too. Wonderful stuff!