advise on washing sheets

[vintagesearch]

hi everyone

i just stumbled on this video on youtube there discussing how to launder sheets. watch,enjoy,discuss

 

[whirlcool]

Nice Informative Video

Was that girl really that clueless or was she just acting that way for this video?
Lots of good info here. But we usually by quality sheets (white only) and wash the heck out of them in hot water with Persil Bio Powder. We have one set that is at least 20 years old and still servicable, no bare or thin spots, 300 TC 100% Cotton.
I wonder what sheets hung out in the snow do smell like?

 

[rickr]

Line dried sheets do smell great! And "freeze dried" sheets and pillow cases smell even better. The material freezes first, then the stiffness from the ice evaporates within a couple hours.

 

[gansky1]

Line drying is the best for sheets - the smell is terrific. I've been drying mine on the lines in the basement through the winter as I like them a little crisp feeling, but the wonderful smell isn't there of course. I haven't tried freeze-drying them, winter seems to be dragging on forever here so the thought of going out to hang washing is just too much to bear...

This guy from Anichini doesn't sound like a well-studied expert on fabric care techniques, but they do have some beautiful linens in their collection.

http://www.anichini.com/index.shtml

 

[mickeyd]

yeah, they freeze, and then they dry; I do it all the time

The smell is indescribable--fresh clean pure pristine winter

 

[mickeyd]

AH! if only summer were here~

We've got a lot of winter left, Greg. I like how the lake looks frozen in this one when it's really windy white. Of course, I could have said it WAS frozen, but then why are the trees green ;'D

 

[gansky1]

I'll have to try it then - I'll bet it does smell wonderful!

I have to admit that do really miss all the clothes dried outside.

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Randy

I just watched the video, and his glasses were a scream--right out of "Not of This Earth" an old movie. Like Whirlcool, don't feel safe with cool water for sheets, and it's never taken three days for me to complete winter-time drying. A couple of years ago, during winter, Laundress had a lively discussion going on about line drying in the summer time.

But living here in the arctic air suggested why not try winter drying, and so it is. Very much used to it, don't give it much thought, quite a luxury, and I don't do it all the time. People think I'm nuts. Happy to see Rick does it too. I wonder, does anybody else dry outside in winter time?

Thank you for a very entertaining video,

Mike

 

[mickeyd]

She looks so sad and exhausted.

Wait till she tries heaving frozen blankets around the backyard.

Hilarious

 

[whirlcool]

That woman looks like she is worrying about if she is still "fresh and dainty" ala Lysol adverts. Of course she wants to keep her man at home!

Years ago we used to line dry a lot of our items. But where we live now, in a forest in the county, if you leave your clothes outside for more than a few hours you'll get all kind of crap that is floating in the air sticking to your sheets. Pollen, green dust, etc.

But nothing does smell as good as line dried clothing!

 

[foraloysius]

Michael,

Thank you for the pictures, they are really wonderful!!!!

When I lived in the downstairs apartment I did a lot of line drying, but today I hardly do. I really wish I had a long clothesline again to do some winter outdoor drying.

 

[mickeyd]

So nice to hear from you again, Louis

Is it that there isn't room for a line, or you don't have yard access? You can get nylon line in any hardware store.
The lines in my pix are secured by hand-screw-in hooks. When done I unhook the lines, looped at each end, and wrap'em up arond my elbow and hand--updown/updowm/updown. I'm hoping you can find a way because it's really a lot of fun, especially when the items freeze into boards; it's like being inside a cartoon.

Thank You! Here's another: Flying Headless Nuns ( dark green towels shhhhhh--don't let on)

 

[mickeyd]

And my most favorite for you, Louis

"Singing (washing) in the Rain" and boy, do they get soft.

 

[foraloysius]

Flying headless nuns indeed! LOL

Wonderful pictures Michael!

I don't have yard access. The only thing I have is a balcony and but it's not a good place to make a clothes line on.

BTW, what a wonderful view that is!

 

[vintagesearch]

line drying in the winter

yes im am doing that as we speak LOL my sheets are out here in the backyard and yes the smell fresh maybe i might be able to take a pic of them they smell like outdoors purex detergent(mountain breeze) and gain(tropical) fabric softener mmmmmmmm freeeeeesh.

glad everyone enjoyed

 

[oldhouseman]

Regional thing?

Line drying was the only choice our ancestors had in centuries past. I remember reading about Dolly Madison hanging her wash up to dry in a room in the White House because there were not any suitable grounds around the executive mansion.

I could greatly disagree with information in that video but it would be based on the region I live in.

I am in the deep South. I cannot in any way relate to drying linens in the wintertime outside. I enjoyed a 72 degree day in middle Georgia today. Just a few days into Feb. I know my Northern cousins are still getting pounded by winter weather.

A few weeks ago it was down to 17 degrees and that was about all I cared for as far as winter goes. Mind you it can get up to 105 plus here in summer and we pray for cooler temperatures but you can keep that really cold weather there.

There is a certain smell to clothes hung out on a clothes line in the South during the summer. I believe that is the somewhat same scent folks in the north experience in winter.

It cannot be put into words exactly.

Line dried clothes in the South, in summer, have an amazing clean "Sun Dried" scent to them. No fabric softener could match the scent.

I wish I could make a comparison test with a Yankee Cousin. I bet we would have interesting results.

I may be wrong. I would be interested to find out. This would be an interesting study to do even for anybody interested in climate changes.

We may be onto something here?

Time away from line dried clothes does not take away from my memory of them. I can still feel, yes, feel, that smell and remember it well.

Greg in Georgia