{The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge} Our Favorites, Revisited: Should I line dry my clothes?

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In May 2025, Rachel dared to ask a big question that turned out to be unexpectedly popular: Should I line dry my clothes?

As we take an Independence Day holiday, we revisit this surprisingly popular episode.

Beginning with a quick survey of the history of laundry drying techniques and traditions, Rachel then looks how and why American housewives made the transition from “drying greens” and clotheslines to gas or electric tumble dryers — and how the “right-to-dry” movement in the 2000s and 2010s marked a resurgence in popularity for the humble, affordable, counter-cultural, and even occasionally illegal clothesline.

Resources referenced in this episode include:

Old and Interesting: History of Laundry

Ronald Reagan ” Live Better Electrically” comercial de “GE Theatre”

“Live Better Electrically” commercial from “GE Theatre” (1950s)

Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to … – Ellen Sandbeck – Google Books

Clothes line – Wikipedia

Drying for Freedom – Drying For Freedom Official Trailer 1 | IMDb

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.

The Lutheran Ladies Lounge is the podcast produced by KFUO Radio and hosted by Sarah Gulseth, Erin Alter, and Rachel Bomberger. Created for Lutheran ladies to have a place to escape to with inviting conversations, laughter, and fellowship with Lutheran sisters, we invite all of you Lutheran ladies to join Sarah, Erin, and Rachel on the sofa in the Lutheran Ladies Lounge to sit, rest your feet, and stay a while. If you’re a Lutheran lady, join us in our Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge.