Hey, Mom

There is the return of the robins, of course, daylight savings time, the snow melted and green grass growing–but one of the best, for me, is being able to hang my laundry outside again in the sun. Today, it was sheets and one load of whites. They gleamed in the sun, swayed in the breeze, and smelled beyond fresh as I folded them to take them in. I feel like I can breathe again!

The search term was “how cold before clothes won t dry hung outside.” First, I love the economy of words for searching.

Second, my mother tells me that she used to hang clothes out in all weather. I notice that my neighbor still does. It’s true, as long as moisture will evaporate, clothes will dry outside. Of course, they may freeze first. And truly, who wants to stand out and freeze fingers in the winter?

I notice that it does take longer for clothes to dry in cool weather. But humidity has a lot to do with it, more than temperature. And if there is a breeze, that is a plus also.

I generally hang clothes outside in spring when temperatures are 60 degrees or above. I love the smell of clothes hung outside in the spring when the chlorophyll in plants is rich. Spring time is the best time to hang things out for that fresh smell.

Sometimes nature gives us big window. Several years ago I was still hanging clothes outside in December. Not this winter. Brrr. Plus, too much snow to wade through.