Types of Clotheslines
Utilizing a clothesline is one way to reduce an individual's carbon footprint, save energy and save money. Line-drying clothes, whether indoors or out, replaces the need for an electric dryer, making a household more efficient. There are a number of styles of clotheslines available, some better suited to particular households than others. Does this Spark an idea?
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Umbrella Clothes Line
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Sometimes referred to as a whirlygig, an umbrella line is so called because it mimics the mechanism of an umbrella. By pulling the center of the top down the main pole, the line contracts and folds away for safety and space-saving. When opened, there are a number of lines in an upside-down pyramid design, which allows for a number of clothes to dry simultaneously in a concentrated space. Some versions of the umbrella clothesline rotate as the wind catches them, decreasing drying time.
Wall Mount/Retractable
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Wall-mounted designs attach to an inner or outer wall rather than freestanding. Wall-mounted lines can be single or multiple lines, umbrella style or rack style. Wall-mounted systems are often retractable; when not in use, they close up, keeping the line clean and dry and saving space.
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Indoor Drying Racks
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Indoor drying racks can be freestanding, retractable, or wall or ceiling mounted. Indoor racks are usually composed of metal or wood and are much sturdier than line-drying mechanisms. Indoor racks come in a wide variety of sizes and work well for those with small spaces as well as those who have inconsistent outdoor weather for line drying.
Classic Line
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Whether with attached T-posts for bearing the weight of blankets and quilts or a single rope line with wooden clothespins, the classic line style of clothes dryer is the most economical way to dry your clothes. This design is perfect for those with large yards and large families. They come in a single or multiple line versions and allow for the maximum amount of breeze to hit the surface of the clothes.
Pulley System
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A variation on the classic line style, the pulley system clothesline, consists of a rope between two brackets or posts and a pulley mechanism that allows the hanging rope to move. This way you can stand in one spot and hang the clothes, pulling the line along as you do so to the next empty space. This saves walking along or outside if the pulley line extends from a balcony or back porch out in to a yard.
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