We were poor growing up (not that far away from it now either! lol!) and my mother said that all we could afford was this old wringer washer - and no dryer. So that's what I learned to wash clothes with while all my friends had modern washers and dryers. Every Thursday I'd do the family's laundry (and get soaked rinsing the clothes in the utility sink)- and hang it on the line - either outside or in the basement if it was winter. What a chore! I never learned that about the socks and pants though - my mom always hung socks by the tops and pants by the waistbands...
I LOVE the smell of bed sheets hung outside! I love towels hung out too, only I can only make myself do it if it's a good windy day so they get naturally "softened" as they whip in the wind!