Anyone build their own drying rack?

[Gardenarian]

Hi -
I want to construct a drying rack for clothes that will be sturdy enough to withstand the stiff breezes on my deck. Has anyone built one of their own?
Thanks!

[awakenedsoul]

No, I just use my two clotheslines. I know a lot of the English people use drying racks for their laundry. They have such a damp climate. None of them use dryers. Same with the Australians. I guess it's an American thing.

[Jilly]

No, but I bought one and put the pieces together. It is all wooden dowels that go into holes drilled through lightweight slats all crissy-crossy.

[Blackdog Lin]

I really HATE mentioning that I saw this on Pinterest (I'm a new addict. sigh.), but I saw the idea of someone using an old wooden ladder that they hung horizontally inside to hang hangers on for drying clothes. Then I thought an old ladder would even work, even maybe outside, set upright for this, if anchored well.

[Tussiemussies]

I really HATE mentioning that I saw this on Pinterest (I'm a new addict. sigh.), but I saw the idea of someone using an old wooden ladder that they hung horizontally inside to hang hangers on for drying clothes. Then I thought an old ladder would even work, even maybe outside, set upright for this, if anchored well.

Great idea Blackdog...

[AndrewD]

It really seems like a great idea. I like it!

[try2bfrugal]

I just bought a few of the top sellers on Amazon. Considering the price of gas to get parts to assemble, the cost of parts and the cash back on my Amazon card from buying the racks there, I am not sure I could have made them any cheaper if I had tried the DIY route.

[Gardenarian]

Well I've got a bunch of old wood that's been lying around, and my thought was to build a rectangular frame - maybe 4x2, 6 feet high or so, then drill holes along the longer sections of the top. Then I could zig-zag a piece of clothesline though this. I could also put a couple of board or dowels along the sides to hang things on, and maybe throw in some hooks.

I imagine the thing looking a bit like a pergola/arbor - like this DIY arbor (http://pergolaplansfree.com/how-to-build-a-garden-arbor-with-plans) but a lot less fancy, though I would paint it white and pretty it up to go with the house.

Then I could screw the whole thing into a railroad tie or something to keep it from blowing through the sliding glass doors.

I do have a large umbrella style clothesline in the backyard, but there are some problems with it: 1) the closing mechanism broke and I had to fix it in a way so that it is permanently open. 2) It uses up way too much valuable gardening/playing/relaxing space in what is really the most pleasant part of our yard. 3) We don't use the deck because of the wind.
So, the deck seems like the best place to dry clothes, but it is on the front of the house and I don't want anything too tacky. (I do have a jerry-rigged indoor rack for rainy days.)

I like those wooden dowel drying frames but one would not last a minute on our deck; you'd see it soaring over SF Bay.

I've got an old wooden orchard ladder, and it is a beautiful design, with an extension that makes it 12' high - it's in regular use for pruning, picking, etc.... I also like Pinterest!

I do have a re-purpose idea for the umbrella clothesline, which I'm going to turn into a sort of pavilion. DD gave me the idea when she suggested creating a "haunted circus tent" for next Halloween.

[Mrs-M]

What a grand idea, Gardenarian! I Googled "DIY drying racks", and was rewarded with a gigantic selection of designs and styles. Was hoping to post one or two for you, but with so many, it's probably best that you check it out for yourself. Plans, look simple, too.

Do keep us posted Re:. I'm jealous, knowing I took the easy way out and ordered an already made one.