My sheets and towels are drying on my deck!

I understand Moni. I prefer the clothesline, also, but for some things on some days, the dryer is useful!

Right now, the clothesline is down. It stretches between the house and garage, and we are having siding replaced on the garage. Hopefully in 2 weeks we'll have the clothesline up again.

Towels, sheets, and denim jeans I dry completely right now - I can't afford to let the Texas humidity mildew them.

But other things - T-shirts, undies, dishtowels - I tumble them on hot for 5 minutes, and then hang either on hangers or on a rack. The hot tumble removes most of the wrinkles and just starts them off.

I can only fondly remember the clothesline days!
I hope you are able to use it again soon. I sure miss the wonderful smell of line dryed sheets.

That must have been a fun filled week for all of you.

If it's taking a lot longer than normal to dry the clothes and if the heat is working in it, you'd better check the vent line for obstructions. If it's plugged with lint it can be a fire hazard. Dryers cause a LOT of house fires each year and virtually all of them are from not cleaning them out.

Naw, cynic, I just haven't used a dryer in AGES. Forgot how long it takes to dry a load of towels.

I usually line dry, and on sunny days it just takes about a half day for a load to dry. Doesn't bother me then, cause I don't pay for it.

I much prefer "solar drying".

Moni

How long is long? I just did a big load of towels in the new (electric) dryer, and they were completely dry in 30 minutes. Didn't think that was long at all--at the other house, my gas dryer takes about 45-50 minutes for the same size load of towels.

The new energy efficient appliances are SO worth the money, IMO

cynic's right. When my clothes are taking longer to dry I know the ventline has gotten clogged with lint.

Drying time can also be greatly affected by what settings you're using. Are you using (does your dryer have) settings for a sensor-dry? That is, rather than setting the dryer to go for a specific length of time, the dryer will only run as long as the sensors detect moisture.

Also, what heat level are you using? Sheets and towels can and should be dried with a high heat - it not only dries them faster, but it assists with sanitation of the items.

Check your vent. Sometimes "critters" will build nests in the outside part of the vent, especially if you rarely use the dryer. Or maybe your thermostat is bad? I dry a full load of sheets in about 15 minutes. A full load of towels takes about 20 minutes.

I never use my dryer unless it's pouring rain. I love clothes dried out on the line. It's a vanishing thing.

My gas dryer doesn't work too well. It takes two hours if my towels are wet from the washer. I prefer to hang them outdoors, where they turn into cardboard, then I pop them in the dryer for 15 minutes. The only problem comes if I forget and leave them overnight. Spiders love to sit in the folds. Th dryer solves this problem prettymuch.

I love the solar drying also!

I replaced my dryer last year..it was taking forever. The new one drys things quite quickly now.

I told DH my old dryer wasn't doing the trick anymore and he took a look at it. The vents were clean, but the plug was getting VERY warm. He said replace it IMMEDIATLY.

Wasn't worth a house fire - and the new one takes a lot less energy.

I do use the line as much as possible, but I have a ton of laundry - so the dryer gets a workout also.

I think I am the only one in the neighborhood who has a clothes line. I also have one in the basement.

One of the first things we did after moving in 20 years ago, was extend the gas line to the laundry room, as electric dryers cost so much more to use.

All good tips above!