Things You'll Need:
- Plastic pipe
- Hand saw
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Step 1
Figure out what kind of clothesline you want. An umbrella clothesline has some advantages in that it doesn’t take up a lot of room (which makes it a good choice for a small yard) and can be installed so it’s removable. The old fashioned T-bar clothesline requires more space, but has the advantage of allowing more air movement through your clothes; so they dry faster.
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Step 2
Plan on installing your clothesline away from overhanging wires and trees to avoid bird droppings and tree sap. Also try to stay away from walking paths or gardening areas.
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Step 3
Call before you dig. Installing your clothesline will require you to dig at least one (umbrella stand) or perhaps two holes, so be sure to contact your local utilities (cable, phone, water, power) to mark where their services run on your property before you start digging.
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Step 4
Dig a hole at least 3 feet deep using your shovel or posthole digger. This will provide good solid support and if you live in an area where the ground freezes in winter, it will get you down below the "frost line" so you won’t need to worry about your clothesline shifting when the ground thaws.
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Step 5
Pour a bag of posthole cement into the hole, add water (follow the instructions on the bag) and place your clothesline post into the hole.
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Step 6
Use your level to make sure the post is straight (plumb), then brace it in place and allow the cement to dry overnight. Finish your clothesline by installing your clothesline pulleys and the clothesline itself.
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Step 1
Measure to the center of the 3-foot crosspieces.
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Step 2
Center a piece of 4x4 on that mark and then mark both edges.
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Step 3
Use your power saw (set to 1 1/2-inch depth) to make a series of parallel cuts between the markings, then remove the waste wood.
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Step 4
Set the (now notched) crosspiece on top of your pole and fasten it in place using carriage bolts driven down through the top of the crosspiece into the beam.
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Step 1
Make your umbrella clothes hanger removable by first installing a piece of plastic pipe (slightly larger than the base pole of the umbrella hanger).
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Step 2
Cover one end on the pipe (to stop it from filling up with cement), then push the pipe down into the wet cement. Use your level to make sure it’s plumb.
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Step 3
Cut off the plastic pipe at ground level once the cement has dried, so you won't need to worry about someone tripping over it.
Comments
drichardson2 said
on 9/23/2008 I have hung out clothes on the clothes line since I was a child. With the new rise in the cost of electric and gas we should use nature to dry our clothes,plus,they smell so good on a fresh made bed! We have got so used to the convience of a dryer that we don't think of the impact on the enviroment.
drichardson2 said
on 9/23/2008 I have been hanging clothes out since I was a kid . With the new rise in electric and gas utilities, we should use nature to dry our clothes.PLUS, THEY SMELL SO GOOD ON A FRESH MADE BED !
AUDIOMIND said
on 4/18/2008 HOA's are frowned upon by me. Personally, I'd never live in a neighborhood that required such committment.
mgs03 said
on 4/18/2008 I have a retractable one. It's much easier (I installed in about 5 minutes) and removeable if my neighborhood association says anything about it. It cost me $14. With the amount of laundry I do, it has cut my electric bill in half. Fluff in the dryer for about 10 minutes if the clothes are too stiff.
Meri said
on 4/18/2008 I can't have a clothesline due to neighborhood restrictions; I miss the smell of fresh air dried sheets and the fabrics blowing gently in the breeze... ahhh