Speak to me of clotheslines

[fidgiegirl]

Rosemary mentioned her clothes umbrella in a recent post, and that got me thinking out of the box about clotheslines. So much discussion about it in the past, and I always thought it wasn't a possibility for me, but now am returning to the idea.

I loved hanging clothes as a child (weirdo!) and have wanted to do so as an adult but have never gotten around to getting set up for it on more than an as-needed/per garment basis.

We don't have room in our yard for a permanent line with poles, etc, though we might be able to rig retractable ones.

I also thought about racks (we have one already that I discovered can do a whole load, but we tend to wash in batches, so we need more capacity than that, meaning more racks). Pros to racks are that we can dry inside in the winter. Plenty of room in the basement for racks.

If we did an umbrella for outside, we could place it where we liked. We wouldn't likely do a permanently mounted one.

To give you an idea of the back yard . . . the house is right next to the photographer. You can see it in the second pic. To her back is a path that goes to the front yard. If I could find a way to put a post or something I could put lines on the garage . . . but not sure how keen DH would be on that. He'd be more on board if is was something could be hidden away when not in use, though he's not against line drying in general.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7654237998_a1d6122766.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7654237998/)
DSC_0217 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7654237998/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7654239386_972e6df71f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7654239386/)
DSC_0215 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7654239386/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr

Any other thoughts, friends?

[Tussiemussies]

Can you do your laundry on one day and hang it all outside on the rack to dry?

Otherwise you would need to be able to put the retractable lines on the back building and your house. Not sure with having a brick house and then it doesn't look like the lines would be straight going to the outbuilding. Am I correct?

Lehmans sells a huge rack that fits a lot of clothes. I love hanging out my laundry, it smells so good and the material holds up better. Sometimes I put liquid starch in the fabric softener dispenser and.the cloths have a little crispness to them.

Let us know what you decide, you're on a roll right now Kelli:)

[fidgiegirl]

Yeah, I guess I am on a roll tonight! :) Goes in spurts like that! :)

We do all our laundry on one day, but that's the problem - too much laundry for one rack. And racks are pricier than I'd like. If we spread out laundry over several days, sometimes we don't accumulate enough for a given load (like lights or whites).

Hmmmmm, the thinking cap remains in action . . .

[Square Peg]

No ideas but I love your trees

[ToomuchStuff]

Have you ever been to a house that had a removable volleyball net? Normally they have pipes in the ground, that the net pipes, slide into. Could you recess some pipes, that a clothesline pole would go into, then run your lines and tension them, while your wash is going?

[fidgiegirl]

I think I know what you mean, toomuchstuff . . . that could work really well, because the "base" pipe could hide in the flower beds when not in use, or at least one end. Hmmm, that one will definitely get some more thought! Very promising. Thanks!

[fidgiegirl]

This idea also has me thinking maybe we could use our extra umbrella base to hold an umbrella clothesline. That way we could take it out and put in garage when not in use, and just leave the base in the flower bed at the edge of the deck. Easy access, no need to trample in the flowers, out of the way when not needed.

[thinkgreen]

We use an umbrella clothesline in a heavy umbrella base. It holds about two washer loads at a time which is sufficient for us. Love to have our things dried by the mother nature when she cooperates. When not in use we fold up the umbrella line and keep it clean by covering it with an old bbq cover held on with ties that have velcro tips. We planned to put it away when not in use but ... it is heavy and somewhat awkward to move. Consequently it stays up most of the time. At the end of the season we put it into the garden shed.

[artist]

My husband hung clothes lines in the basement from the rafters. Works out really well for wet weather and winter drying.

[razz]

Place the washline next to the fence in the back past the deck. It could be two post cemented in deep with with crossbar on which to hang lines parallel to the fence but about 10 feet in. Alternatively, you could cement a post with the rotating retractable washline.

Not sure why anyone would be averse to seeing washlines though but to each his own.

You do need some sun so I was concerned that the large tree would give too much shade.

[Rosemary]

I don't think racks are a good solution in our climate; it's often too damp and the clothes would not have enough air between them to dry, and it's often so windy that they would be blown over.

The wind would be my concern with a clothes umbrella in an umbrella stand, too. We've had wind, several times, pull our umbrella right out of the umbrella stand.

The clothes umbrella is ideal for your yard. I have fond memories of hanging laundry on my grandmother's clothes umbrella in her tiny city back yard. They come with a piece of PVC or plastic pipe that you put in a cement base in your yard: dig a hole, center the pipe, put cement around it. Make it level with the ground so it's easy to mow over. The umbrella can be removed from this pipe whenever you like. When ours is removed, I can't even see the hole.

If you have an unfinished basement, clotheslines strung across a room would allow items to dry much faster than racks. You could run a box fan in the room when drying laundry to move the air around. However, in the summer, this would add to the overall humidity in your house.

[fidgiegirl]

I am still most pumped about the idea of the umbrella, I think. One question - how can I tell the capacity of it? Like, some have 150 linear feet of drying space. I am not sure if that is a lot or a little. Seems like a lot?

Any other considerations before I buy something (or hunt something on CL?)

[shadowmoss]

My Mom gave me the idea of using a second compression shower rod in the shower, slightly off center and high enough not to be in the way. With the second rod over the tub I can hang things to dry. Also, I use inflatable hangers for shirts and tops. Easy to hang to dry, and it keeps the sides away from each other for faster drying. This isn't outside drying, but may help in winter.

This hand laundry thing is the only area where I am frugal/simple, so I tend to post about it a lot. I will admit that when I get back to the States I'll be back to laundry machines ASAP.

[puglogic]

Hi Kelli,
We use an umbrella line too, and it easily comes out of the base and folds up....but I find I don't do that any more. Once my husband got used to seeing it out there (and got used to seeing the savings on the electric bill....) all of a sudden it wasn't so objectionable any more. Clotheslines too have a way of blending into the background once you get used to them, and if you don't keep your pins on it (which you shouldn't)

Ours is about 150 linear feet of hanging space and cost about $49.00 at Ace Hardware, and has saved us ten times that in the few years we've had it. It has a nice way of spinning gently around to catch the breeze too, which I like. To get an idea of how much space that is, just take something and measure out 150 feet across your yard....like a tape measure multiple times, or a length of rope. It's pretty substantial. I love my clothesline!

[treehugger]

I don't have a good place outside for a clothesline (or good access to the outside from my laundry room, so indoors, I use a combo of one big rack (that I bought), one small rack (that someone gave us), and a pole (broom handle? not sure where it came from) hung between one of the racks and a handtruck (don't ask). We use the pole for items that dry on hangers. This arrangement perfectly fits our 2 weekly loads of laundry (underwear, socks, and towels go in the dryer).

Just mentioning all of this because you are on the right track thinking out of the box. You probably already have something at home that you could rig up to be a hanging pole for clothes on hangers, to supplement the rack you bought.

Kara

[ToomuchStuff]

I couldn't find the exact one, but if you look on Amazon for retractable clotheslines, you will see what a relative of mine, used to have/use. They moved into a place with restrictions and no longer do that.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

fidgiegirl, go to this wonderful website http://www.laundrylist.org/map and look at the slideshow of all these wonderful clotheslines people have sent in from all over. Although it says clotheslines across America, there are some from other countries as well. I even have a couple in there :) I was just looking at these photos the other day for no other reason than they make me happy. You will see all sorts of clotheslines here that people are using and maybe find one that would work in your yard. I am one of those who receive joy just by hanging my laundry outside to dry. Don't know why - but I do!

[Rosemary]

The one we have looks like this
http://www.trondeal.com/pds/12-line-165%27-Umbrella-Clothesline.html
and I bought it for about $20-25 on sale at Menard's about 7 years ago. I think the regular price was $30-35.

My parents have one that looks like this:
http://www.bing.com/shopping/1-piece-182-rope-arm-steel-outdoor-parallel-clothes-dryer-182/p/51A9327E819C9197B3CD?q=umbrella+clothesline&lpf=0&lpq=umbrella%2bclothesline&FORM=EGCA&lppc=16

I prefer the design we have for several reasons:
- The tiered design allows for more air flow.
- It has 4 long lines at the outside which are great for hanging large items.
- I find it easier to hang large quantities of laundry without feeling caged in by the laundry I've already hung.
- It's also easier to take down part of the laundry that may have already dried, without removing everything, or having to dive in between wet laundry.

Personally, for an item like this, I wouldn't buy used. Because:
- you'll get it installed a lot faster if you just go get one and put it in the ground. Likely you need to go to the hardware store for cement, anyway.
- it's not that expensive.
- the clothesline itself (the string or wire) often needs to be replaced after many years due to UV exposure and/or mildew.

[fidgiegirl]

Super helpful, Rosemary.

There are kind of two camps of umbrella lines on Amazon and other sites - some are in the price range you reference, and some are SO MUCH more that I didn't know if it's one of those times where you get what you pay for, or if someone is just making a bunch of money.

Coincidentally, we will be going to Menards today potentially . . . hmmmm . . . this one might be on the road to done!

[Rosemary]

I'm guessing someone is making a lot of money on those high-priced clotheslines. The one that I have is not that different from the one that my grandmother had for years, and my parents had one like it for at least 30 years as well. It shouldn't cost much - it's an aluminum post, metal supports, and clothesline.

[puglogic]

I am one of those who receive joy just by hanging my laundry outside to dry. Don't know why - but I do!

Me too!

I love this link - thanks!

[fidgiegirl]

Did it! Thank you, everyone! We are now the proud owners of an umbrella clothesline.

I will use the umbrella base for a while as we suss out the right location in the yard. The grill may have to move - nothin' like a fresh load of laundry full of charcoal smoke! :)

Since we plan to eventually plant up everything that is now brown with plants, it would be perfect to keep it right off the edge of the deck. Could stand there to do the hanging.

Very excited! Now to look for clothespin bags ideas online. We bought one at Menards but it is a crappy thing. I will return it next time we go.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7664647406_59fa52847c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7664647406/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7733846@N05/7664647406/) by fidgiegirl (http://www.flickr.com/people/7733846@N05/), on Flickr

LOL, look at the difference in the yard from before to now! The cardboard is DH's current painting job. Uffda! :|(

[Rosemary]

Kelli, I use a basket with a nice handle for clothespins currently. I hang it over the corner of the umbrella when hanging clothes. But I plan to make a clothespin apron, soon... maybe the next day that it's too hot to work on my garden project... like this:
http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/2012/01/free-clothespin-apron-pattern.html

[fidgiegirl]

LOVE IT! I might have to copy you on that apron ;)

[Rosemary]

Made the clothespin apron tonight. Seems to comfortably hold enough pins for about 2 loads of laundry. Total time including making a paper pattern was about 3 hours. I added a loop to the middle back of it so that I can hang it in our front closet. That way, it's handy when I take the laundry outside.
I based it on this design: http://mybyrdhouse.blogspot.com/2007/06/june-clothspin-apron.html

[fidgiegirl]

Great, Rosemary!! The only problem is, what about when it is DH's turn to hang laundry? Will he put on the apron?! Teeee heeeee heeeeeee :laff:

[Rosemary]

Of course! :) You could make it look like one of those tool aprons. Or he could hang the apron on the clothes umbrella and reach into it for the pins.

[Tussiemussies]

You can put the apron on a hanger, hang it on the cloth line with a clothespin and he will have easy access.

[Rosemary]

My mom and grandmother always used a clothespin bag like this:
http://homemakingdreams.blogspot.com/2008/04/clothespin-bag-tutorial.html

[catherine]

I'm currently in the process of trying to design a multi-purpose patio bench/clothesline that can be hidden from view, mainly because my property abuts a public park on two sides--the North and East sides. My BIL, who lives next door, won't mind seeing my laundry, but I want to be discreet about my hanging clothes given I'm in an area where kids play ball, families walk dogs and go to the park, etc.

I was thinking that if I built a bench with a slatted back about 5-6 feet high (so that the breeze can flow through, I could perhaps rig up retractable lines that would be about 6 feet long each--attaching one side to the house, and the other side to the other end of the bench-back, which would be kind of with a short L-shape. (hard to explain but I see it in my mind). People in the baseball field and people walking through the park would not be able to see the clothes--they'd only see the bench-back.

Any thoughts?

[Mrs-M]

LOVE the clothespin bag, Rosemary!

Catherine. I'm trying to come to terms with the idea over why anyone would ever want to hide their clothesline drying from anyone. Clotheslines, are art. :)

[Laurel]

kelli fidgie, i love the look of your backyard. ahhh, autumn, come soon! :)

i have a clothesline. 6 lines, strung between 2 trellis-style "Y" end columns. the ends are approx 12 ft apart.

i go in fits & spurts in using it. it's gotten more action this summer. on some days, the right mood, it's a calming routine.

[Mrs-M]

Call me a rebel, but I love a full-line of panties/undies! Those who get all stuffy about it, don't have to look, everyone else who is comfortable with "the facts of life", are free to stare for as long as they like!

[Mrs-M]

Besides, Catherine, hiding or camouflaging such, takes all the fun out of it! :)

[fidgiegirl]

Thanks all for the clothespin bag thoughts. I think I will go with the bag even though the apron is supa cute.

Catherine, I think I see your vision. Question: do you have a fence or something that could conceal the clothes? Well, I guess I'm not clear - is it your undies you're worried about, or all clothes? Because shirts, and such, well, are just shirts and such. Maybe unmentionables could simply hang inside the house?

Six feet lines sound too short to accomplish much. That was my problem with the rack. It was too little space.

If you did go ahead and build the bench, I assume it would have the double feature of being a bench? :) Dumb question? But people would really be able to sit on it?

Or how about something like this (http://www.clotheslineshop.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=01003&Category_Code=OCI), but mounted on the house on the side that BIL sees? I bet you could build something cheaper than this particular item but with a similar design.

Hope I was helpful. It's hard not having seen the place. :)

[catherine]

Thanks for the great link, Kelli! Yes, something like that would be perfect--and I was thinking of the multi-function aspect of being able to provide seating on one side--clothes hanging on the other. My bench inspiration comes from the photo below taken at the Japanese Gardens at Portland... I'll play around with this idea--but I'll definitely think about working in the line in the link you sent.
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac56/cmboyd/Portland%20Japanese%20Garden/IMG_0937.jpg

[catherine]

Mrs-M, I agree with you, but, just like the other thread about the folks in Canada whose garden is under attack, people have different ideas about what's pleasing to the eye!

[larknm]

DH and I have lived in several houses, one of which was in the large garden of the Quaker Meeting House where we were caretakers. At each place we strung clothesline from things that were already in the yard. Like from one tree to another, then to a fence or two. This works fine for us, and the one place we took them down for looks was the Quaker Meeting House garden, and there we left one loop around one tree and left the remaining clothesline looped several times from a hook we'd put in that tree. Depending on shape or size of tree, we don't need a hook.