Using a drying rack...

[ScrimpAndSave]

So, I have an electric dryer but am trying not to use it too much to see if I can lower my electricity bill. The clothes dry - but they are sort of "crunchy" even when I use fabric softner. Is there something else I can do?

[disneysteve]

Sure. After you air dry them, toss them in the dryer just for 5 minutes. The heat and tumbling softens them up and doesn't cost nearly as much as actually drying them in there.

[wincrasher]

Before I got my dryer with the steam thingy in it, I would take wrinkles shirts, spritz them with a water spray bottle and throw them in the dryer for 5 mins.

I've also used that wrinkle relaxer spray. You give a shirt a light spray, smooth it or stretch it a little with your hands, and let it dry on the hanger - takes about 10 mins.

[creditcardfree]

Sure. After you air dry them, toss them in the dryer just for 5 minutes. The heat and tumbling softens them up and doesn't cost nearly as much as actually drying them in there.

This is what my neighbor does with clothes she has dried outside in the summer.

[MonkeyMama]

Very few of my clothes get like that, but the ones that do, I usually just toss in the dryer first, for a few minutes (to soften them up). Then hang them to dry.

With time, I just know what clothes need a little spin in the dryer.

I was curious if there would be other suggestions!

[PrincessPerky]

wind....and skip the fabric softener, it is heat activated.

[Snippa]

Actually, I dry very few of my own clothes--mostly jeans. All my shirts and tops, hang to dry on a rack in my laundry room. I bought one of those little blue balls that Downy makes. You fill it with fabric softener and drop it in with the detergent when you start the wash. I've used it for years (though I buy cheap fabric softener, not Downy!). It works great and I never have stiff clothes. Maybe it's something about hanging them outside?

Dee

[JohnSaveOn]

If you live in cold climates and cannot dry your clothes outside in the winter, try using cold water in the washing machine instead of hot. The energy you save from avoiding heating up the water will partially make up for the energy you use with your dryer.

[zakity]

What's wrong with crunchy clothes? **teehee** We hang out laundry out on the line if the day hits above 60 and it isn't raining. I hang clothes out between March and October (and earlier or later depending on the weather). I guess we have all gotten used to them being stiff.

[PatientSaver]

I air dry outside in summer, indoors in winter (the dry heat in the house really dries them well). However, the other big problem with air drying I've found is that it doesn't remove cat hair and lint the way a dryer lint catch does. Any suggestions on that?

[Breton Wench]

What's wrong with crunchy clothes? **teehee** I guess we have all gotten used to them being stiff.

Quite. If you air dry, like I do - and in the winter that is hanging on the rack over the stove in the kitchen, you get used to it. I think of it as 'crisp' not crunchy !! Its lovely having your bed linen like that.

[Shaabenanizer]

However, the other big problem with air drying I've found is that it doesn't remove cat hair and lint the way a dryer lint catch does. Any suggestions on that?

I toss the air-dried-cat-hair/lint-covered clothes into the dryer with just washed towels and let the dryer run for 5 or so minutes. The clothes are de-linted/cat-haired and the towels are puffed up enough that when air dried they dry non-crunchy.

Don't know if that's the most efficient way of doing it but it's more effective than me and my roommate throwing the crunchy towels repeatedly at eachother to soften them up, though it's more fun.