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Step 4Socks and underwear
Hanging each sock or pair of underwear with a clothespin would take a really long time. Instead, put a drying rack in a clean area inside or out, and dump the whole load of laundry over it. It will be in a big clump that won't dry very fast. So you need to do a little work to then spread it out to hang nicely, but that doesn't require handling each piece.
Once it's dry, you can sort it as you collect it from the rack. Or, if you want to be really lazy, you can keep the drying rack in your bedroom, and simply take the clean clothes from it as needed. Then you only need to put stuff away from it when you do the next load of socks and underwear, at which point you've already used most of what was on it.
There are lots of drying racks available. These and these wood racks are made in New England using wood from New England--no tropical rain forests involved. There are more good options for metal racks than I can list; for example this basic model, this high-end stainless steel rack, and this space-saving tall, narrow one.
The Clothesline Shop has a growing collection of different types of indoor and outdoor racks and clotheslines. But my top recommendation is the Project Laundry List Store, because they have lots of those options, and the proceeds support a great cause.
Most of the wood ones come unfinished. Consider de-waxed shellac as a waterproof non-toxic finish.
Once it's dry, you can sort it as you collect it from the rack. Or, if you want to be really lazy, you can keep the drying rack in your bedroom, and simply take the clean clothes from it as needed. Then you only need to put stuff away from it when you do the next load of socks and underwear, at which point you've already used most of what was on it.
There are lots of drying racks available. These and these wood racks are made in New England using wood from New England--no tropical rain forests involved. There are more good options for metal racks than I can list; for example this basic model, this high-end stainless steel rack, and this space-saving tall, narrow one.
The Clothesline Shop has a growing collection of different types of indoor and outdoor racks and clotheslines. But my top recommendation is the Project Laundry List Store, because they have lots of those options, and the proceeds support a great cause.
Most of the wood ones come unfinished. Consider de-waxed shellac as a waterproof non-toxic finish.
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In my research, I was amazed to find that there was no good website explaining all the different clotheslines and drying rack products. Reading through blog entries and articles, I also found that many people were frustrated by the difficulty in finding high-quality, European and Austrailian-style drying racks. Having spent so much time researching drying racks and lines, and having come across some great products, I figured I should share my newfound knowledge. I’ve done so by creating a page on the Tip the Planet sustainable living wiki. Since its a wiki page, anyone can edit it, so it will hopefully stay up to date.You can check it out here: <a href="http://www.tiptheplanet.com/index.php?title=Air_dry_washing">http://www.tiptheplanet.com/index.php?title=Air_dry_washing</a>
I'm trying to spread the word so that the site becomes a clearing house for drying rack information, and people have to spend less time scouring the web for the best products. Have a look, share it with your friends, and by all means add your wisdom!
Take care,
Chelsea