How do Amish dry their clothes in the winter?

How the Amish Dry Clothes in Winter

While many of us depend on electric dryers, especially during colder months, the Amish continue to rely on time-tested methods — even in the depths of winter. Instead of modern appliances, most Amish families use clotheslines year-round, a practice that might seem impractical to outsiders but works surprisingly well.

During the summer, drying clothes outdoors is straightforward. But even as temperatures drop and snow blankets their farms, the laundry still gets done — hung inside unheated barns or sheltered porches where fresh air circulates. According to experts, including appliance company Speed Queen, this method doubles as a natural freeze-drying process. The science behind it? Sublimation — when moisture in the fabric freezes and then evaporates directly from ice into vapor, bypassing the liquid stage entirely.

“They still work in the winter,” says Williams, referring to the enduring efficiency of clotheslines. This method isn’t just about tradition; it’s practical, energy-free, and effective. The dry, cold air actually wicks moisture away over time, leaving clothes clean and dry — albeit stiff and crisp to the touch.

For the Amish, living without electricity isn’t a limitation but a choice rooted in faith and simplicity. Their approach to everyday tasks like laundry reflects a deeper commitment to self-reliance and harmony with nature. So while the rest of us battle static and high energy bills, the Amish continue hanging their laundry, season after season, letting winter do the work.