is it true that Americans have to use a dryer

Jackie - posted on 04/25/2010

Not required but it just make things so much easier. We all lead pretty busy lives and dryers make laundry so much faster. Alot of us still hang clothes though. I love hanging linens when its nice.

Kristy - posted on 04/25/2010

I hang clothes on my clothes line AND I use my dryer. I mainly use my dryer for stuff that doesn't take long to dry and the rest, I hang on the clothes line.

Catherine - posted on 04/22/2010

It is not a USA law.. but some upscale and newer suburban communities have rules that do not allow clotheslines. I am older and so remember before such rules existed.. and I really don't understand why.. I think laundry on the line looks fine.. so I don't actually get the rule. I don't think I could ever live where you couldn't hang out clothes.. or air out coats and blankets. thank heaven I live in an older community and we can hang clothes on the line if we want to.. depending on the weather I love to.hang out my clothes.. they smell so wonderful.... have less wrinkles.. easier to fold.. winter not so much, too cold.. and if cold enough they don't dry well..

Michelle - posted on 04/21/2010

My mom has hung the laundry outside on nice days as long as I can remember! So naturally, I do it too! I love how they smell when I bring them in to fold them! So fresh! And yes, it does save money on the energy bill!

Monique - posted on 04/20/2010

Clothes don't come out of your washer dripping wet, so you don't need anything to line the floor...

Diana - posted on 04/18/2010

When I was in the US I admit I always used a dryer. And for the next few years I'll live in Korea where hang drying is the norm. My high rise apartments have a room with a clothes drying rack in it. I now hang dry the clothes for my family of 4 whenever I can! In our apartments in the US we never had any space to hang dry anything.

Phionna - posted on 04/16/2010

I am in Scotland where there is no such laws and regulations - regardless of where in the country you are. We are lucky that it is usually windy enough for hanging laundry out! LOL. I actually walk past my drier to hang out my clothes, driers are expensive!!

Marlena - posted on 04/16/2010

It is mainstream to use a dryer. Poorer people are usually the ones to hang their clothes to dry here, generally speaking. People who live in the country also hang their clothes to dry. I have heard of people trying to be "green" by hanging their clothes, but mostly everyone uses dryers.

Lisa - posted on 04/14/2010

Most of us Americans do use a dryer. I use to hang out clothes outside when we lived in the mountains, and when we goto Germany to see my in laws. We rarely use the dryer unless the weather is bad there. But leaving in Texas and all the pollen and pollution I use the dryer more than ever, since my kids have all developed allergy induced asthma from living here. However, I do hang alot of our clothes on the shower bar to dry in our pare bathroom. My oldest lives in Australia, and they use the dryer alot there too, but more for the ease of it.

Lindsey - posted on 04/11/2010

Hi. I have to admit, I am an American who used the dryer frequently until four months ago when it broke. We have not gotten around to getting it fixed and now we're having lovely Spring weather so I put all my clothes on the line. I have noticed a reduction in our utility bill which, in addition to having fresh smelling clothes is another nice perk of line drying. We may not get our dryer fixed until it starts to get cold again, and even then, I will dry outside when I can. I'm a changed woman!

Christy - posted on 04/08/2010

I wouldn't say "have" to use a dryer, but probably 95% of us do! I don't think most of us would know how to live without one. :) We are very spoiled in the US.

Kelly - posted on 04/08/2010

Most of my clothes say not to tumble dry and all of my babies clothes say they need to be hung out to dry. I live in Australia and everything dries really quickly, except when it rains.The only thing I ever put in the dryer is towels because it makes them feel a bit softer.

Valerie - posted on 04/07/2010

LIving in Kansas its great to hang the laundry out because its always windy but gets to be a pain when the farmers are plowing because the dirt blows. I was raised with the laundry being hung outside and mykds are being raised the same way. It makes everything smeels better, its better for the planet, and it saves money soooo... were's the down side?

Kendra - posted on 04/07/2010

I know from living in Arkansas which is the "allergy" or "pollen" capital of the US that if you were to hang your clothes outside (especially in the spring time) your clothes would have yellow-green pollen all over it. That's the only reason I use a dryer b/c of severe allergies.

Christine - posted on 04/07/2010

Hi there. I live in the USA. Dryers don't have to be used ALL THE TIME! I hang out my clothes as often as weather allows. My husband built my clothes line and did a real fine job. It saves our family alot of money. I would not live in an area (and there are places that don't allow you) that would not allow me to hang my clothes out. I love the smell that I bring into my home. :)

Melissa - posted on 04/07/2010

That is so funny, I never thought about it, but we always use a dryer! I think it is because I live in Minnesota and it is very cold and snowy here at least 6 months a year, so we are just used to it. I don't know a single person in our neighborhood that has a clothesline. My parents have never had one either, so that is just how I grew up. My in-laws live in a very nice neighborhood in Wisconsin, and clothelines are not allowed! The people who live there think they look bad and they don't want to see each others underwear. I guess it is all what you grow up with and what you are used to. I wish clothes lines were more acceptable here because it is better for the environment.

Amy - posted on 04/07/2010

I'm an American who hardly ever uses her dryer. I hang my clothes outside in the summer and use drying racks in the winter. It is better for the enviroment and the dryer is very hard on clothes.

Alecia - posted on 04/06/2010

We use much less energy to dry clothes after we purchased a (Bosch) front loader washing machine. The water extraction is amazing! It takes half the time to dry a load of clothes, than using a top loading machine. The front loader takes less water and soap, but more time. It takes 1 hour for a reg. load to wash, but only 1/2 hour to dry. Even so the time is the same. It used to take 1/2 hour for the wash cycle and 1 hour to dry. The energy savings is great. I still hang some things up to dry, always have, but I like my towels and some clothing dried in the dryer. I mean, if you have to iron clothes after hanging them up, it doesn't save that much energy in my book. Dryers are good for keeping wrinkles at bay.

Amy - posted on 04/05/2010

NO it is NOT true that we as Americans have to use the dyer!!!! Yes I have one, we use it when the weather is bad.. I LOVE to hang clothes on the line, saver money and I love the freshness when there on lined dryed....

Jessica - posted on 04/05/2010

I live in an HOA and cannot hang my laundry or I will get fined, however before I moved here I hung much of my laundry and would throw it in the dryer for a few minte to fluff and get the stiffness out. Although with a large family it is difficult if you need to do many loads of laundry per day but I would still hang all of our jeans and shirts and just use the dryer for underwear and socks.

Melanie - posted on 04/04/2010

I have a line in my basement that I use to hang some stuff, especially things I don't want to shrink. Though I would like to save money on my electric bill I would be a little hesitant to hang the laundry outside because of allergens such as pollen that floats through the air. Many people in this area have a lot of allergies.

Catherine - posted on 04/04/2010

Hanging laundry outdoors can be an eyesore. However, if done neatly & orderly enough, it becomes acceptable. From where I come from, it's such a common practice since dryers consume more electricity than the washer itself. Likewise, it loosens elastics & shrinks certain fabrics. A clotheslines is a pocket- & Earth friendly thing indeed. The best way to lessen the wrinkles is to avoid wringing the fabric. A gentle squeeze & shaking off do the trick. The use of hangers on clotheslines also makes it look organized & allows more space for hanging.

Meighen - posted on 04/03/2010

I loved reading all of the responses on this thread. I'm now going to have to rethink my current laundry habits. Our current Home Owners Association does not allow clothes lines, but my husbands job is relocating us to a different state. I will have to consider this when we purchase our next home. I had a roomate in college that would hang her clothes on the line from our second story apartment during the summer and I thought she was nuts since we had a dryer right next to the line, but it did help keep the apartment cooler in the summer by not running the dryer. Now that I've been bitten by the eco-friendly bug/movement, I will certainly be giving my dryer a break. So thanks for putting the question out there!

Virginia - posted on 04/03/2010

Not even reading the replies yet but good god no.

I hang things inside, hang them outside (3 loads today was a good day line only holds one load at a time), and only run to the laundromat to use dryers for certain items, in a rush, or to soften clothes back up.

Charlotte - posted on 04/03/2010

i have a dryer and i do hang out clothes as much as possible..while i love my dryer for some things i hang the rest out. Both of my boys wet the bed occasionally and their mattress protectors cant be dried in the dryer because of the rubber backing on them so those and all sheets blankets and pillowcases get hung out to dry. things like jeans i hang in the mornings and leave them all day because its not quite warm here yet so they take awhile to dry.

Rena - posted on 04/03/2010

I do not own a dryer. I refuse to pay all that extra on my electric bill! I hang my clothes up all year round. Outside whenever possible and inside if the weather is rainy or snowy.

Krystal - posted on 04/02/2010

Well we live in an Apartment complex so a dryer for us is a must because there is no where to hang dry our clothes :(

Cara - posted on 04/02/2010

I only use my dryer for towels, socks, and undergarmets. (In the winter I'll put our sheets in as well) The rest of the time my laundry gets hung outside, or on a wooden drying rack, or on my clothesline in my basement. It saves me money and our clothes seem to last longer as well.

Jessica - posted on 04/01/2010

Allie,



I agree with many of the replies already listed. Many Americans regularly use their dryers if they own one. Personally, I hang much of my laundry out to dry. For example: cloth diapers, t-shirts, sheets... but jeans, blankets, and other heavy articles go in the dryer for about 10 minutes for softness :)

Chris - posted on 04/01/2010

I like to hans certain clothes out, but due to health issues I can't grip the clothes pins so the dryer is more convient. I hate it when my husband does laundry because he hangs everything out & I like soft towels & undergarments. Even with fabric softner we have hard water so it helps very little except for the static. I have 3 hanging racks in my bathroom which is quite large for hanging knits & other clothes on that I don't put in the dryer & they are always full. Infact I have to do laundry today & the things will mostly hang on the racks

Barbara - posted on 03/31/2010

I don't think you have to use a dryer, only that the clothes would be softer and dry quicker. I hang some shirts and underclothes to dry by themselves, but towels, sheets, etc are softer dried in the dryer.

Mindy - posted on 03/31/2010

I have a rack in my laundry room and I use it more than I do my dryer. I try to use my dryer as little as possible.

HEIDI - posted on 03/30/2010

It is not something that is mandated here in the USA. I hang many of my clothes inside during bad weather, and spend the long winter months waiting for the time when I can use my clothes line again. Plus I love the smell of the clothes, towels, sheets, etc. when they come in off the line.

Fudge - posted on 03/30/2010

no I lived in Colorado and some people use lines. I did all the time inside and out but when the winter can be 5 months long a dryer get you though. I am now back in Australia and still using a line

Karen - posted on 03/28/2010

Even those of us who live in an area where clothes lines are not available or not allowed... for what ever the reason....If you want to save money....You can put up a double line across your bathtub, the length of the tub. I use regular hangers and hang up my wet clothes at night, and some times I use clothes pins to keep the hangers apart. The indoor air at my house takes a long time to dry the clothes, so I do this overnight. By morning the clothes are dry. In Florida we lost power for two weeks after a hurricane. I had to hand wash each day and hang dry at night. Even without power, we did just fine.

Leslie - posted on 03/28/2010

I think it depends where you live. I live in an apartment and dont really have any way to hang my clothing out to dry outside. So I go to the laundry mat and wash and dry my clothing there.

Karen - posted on 03/27/2010

I use cloth diapers in an age when everyone uses disposables. I do it for the cost. Then I learned that hanging them on a line outside helps to remove stains. The sun bleaches them. This is cheaper than buying a gallon of bleach. In America, many families are lucky enough to have a dryer... and can afford to use it, but they don't have to. I am able, but I choose to save the money for other more important things. I have a back yard so no one sees me. Most families who live within "Home owner's Associations", are not allowed to hang laundry outside. So, I am lucky... I am allowed, and I chose to do this and save money. I only use the dryer for clothes and things that would damage in the sun.

Michelle - posted on 03/25/2010

It is not true that we HAVE to be use a dryer, but very few people have clothes lines anymore-inside or out. You're right that is really saves money, and even clothes!

Lynette - posted on 03/24/2010

In New Zealand we usually have a laundry room, where we have a tub, washing machine and dryer, like most Kiwi woman, I prefer to dry my clothes outside, even if we live in an apartment in the city we use a small rack on the balcony.

Roxanne - posted on 03/24/2010

hi, so i'm a new zealander who lives in canada. and i am all for hanging out ur clothes but the fact of the matter is that half the year u cant hang them out side cos its too cold and the clothes will freeze or just wont dry cos its too cold!and i have a clothes horse thing that i have inside to hang clothes in the winter but that still takes a day or 2 for some of the heavy stuff to dry!so i go half and half, hang some and dry some!

Karen - posted on 03/23/2010

Allergies. Like others have said, I can't stand the stiff, icky feeling of the clothes, but allergies are the reason we don't hang any clothes out. Oldest son and daughter have allergies and middle son and I have asthma and bringing extra pollen and molds and whosits in than what already gets into the house just makes everything unbearable for us. I do use a rod in my laundry room to dry a lot of things, but hanging stuff out isn't an option.

Christy - posted on 03/22/2010

No. I've never heard that. We Americans are free to use our clotheslines. We line dry almost everything in the summer.

Rebecca - posted on 03/20/2010

No way! Alot of people use clothes lines. I even have known of people who would hang clothes out in the winter and they would freeze-dry.

Sophia - posted on 03/18/2010

I know where im from we wash the clothes by hand and hang them on the line outside to dry. My dryer broke on Monday and Im thing of washing them at home and taking them to the laundry to dry them, only because its a lot of clothes and they come out soft and smooth.

Christy - posted on 03/15/2010

I live in the Southern United States where hanging clothes on lines is still practiced. Although I do notice a lot of the younger couples only using dryers, and by young I mean my age and younger. I currently live in an apartment that doesn't allow lines, so I have to use the dreaded dryer. We have such pretty weather here that I usually only have to dry clothes in the winter. However, some of my husbands clothes have to be dried inside during early spring because he is allergic to tree pollen that gets in the clothes.

Kendra - posted on 03/15/2010

Im a Canadian, and usin a dryer here is normal. But growing up, my Dad had a clothes line, and we always hung our clothes to dry when the weather was nice. It was actully nice and I loved the smell of my clothes/bedding after being hung to dry outside, haha

Erika - posted on 03/15/2010

Not at all. Many Americans, including myself, hang things out to dry. When it's raining I use the dryer. There are some Home Owner Associations that don't allow people to hang clothes out, it is something to check out before you buy a house.

Amy - posted on 03/14/2010

lol just a little

Allison - posted on 03/14/2010

crunchy

Amy - posted on 03/14/2010

For me I guess the only time that a dryer has to be used is if a person or family has allergies. The clothes being hung on a line does pick up allergens. Plus if a family lives near factories, they would have more pollution in the air. If my family didn't have allergies I would hang them on the line. They look and smell better.