How to Install a Pulley Clothesline

Save energy costs! Install a pulley clothesline!

Install a simple pulley clothesline to save on your energy costs! A pulley clothesline is not too difficult to install, and the benefits are well worth the moderate challenge.

Things You'll Need

• As noted in text.

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Instructions

1. Select the optimal location for your simple pulley clothesline:
   Keep in mind that you will have a line of wet, heavy clothes hanging from point A to point B, so plan accordingly. Do not try to install your pulley clothesline where the clothes will be dangerously close to trees or other interfering structures. Choose an open area, even if doing so sacrifices overall length of the pulley clothesline.

   Also, remember that you will need to be able to comfortably reach the line to hang out or take in clothing. So, be sure to pick a suitable location for the hands-on end of the pulley clothesline.

2. 

   Materials needed:
   o Two clothesline pulleys: I like the cast-metal ones, since they seem to be the strongest. However, the plastic or even light metal ones are ok for some installations. Mostly, it depends on what your overall laundry requirements are. If you have a family of five, you will want to build a strong pulley clothesline. If there's just one or two people, perhaps a light duty pulley clothesline will work fine.
   o Two screw-hooks or bolt hooks; depending on whether your pulley anchoring points will need to be screwed INTO or THROUGH the structures intended to be attached to.
   o Enough clothesline material to reach TWICE the distance between the two anchoring points; plus a couple extra feet to be sure there is enough to encircle the two pulleys and to secure the ends adequately.
   -I recommend using a material that is least vulnerable to the elements: cotton tends to stretch and sag; vinyl coated wire is probably the strongest, but not as easy to work with; nylon or polyester might be more susceptible to sun damage. Choose your pulley clothesline material according to your specific needs and location.
   o One clothesline tightening device: This is the unit that secures one end of the pulley clothesline rope to a U-shaped loop, and threads the other end of the rope through a tension-gripping set of jaws. By pulling the threaded end of the rope through the device's jaws, the pulley clothesline will remain tight, as long as the jaws continue to grip the rope. Be sure the tightening device is suited for the size of rope you've chosen. If you decide to use the vinyl coated wire or smaller than standard clothesline rope, you might not be able to use this device. Instead, you might need to use either a simple lasso type knot so you can adjust if needed, or cable-clamps, such as with vinyl coated wire.

3. Installation of your simple pulley clothesline:
   o Secure both pulley mounting hooks into their respective chosen anchoring structures. Be sure to install your hooks high enough to allow your heavy, wet laundry to freely hang without coming too close to the ground.
   o Place both pulleys onto the hooks.
   o Thread the clothesline rope through both pulleys, with the ends of the rope meeting at the BOTTOM of the setup rather than the TOP.
   o Connect the two ends of your clothesline rope with your clothesline tightening device, or whichever alternate method you have selected. Be sure to pull the rope as tightly as possible, to minimize sag.
   o Trim any excess rope.

4. Test and use your simple pulley clothesline:
   Now it's time to test out your new simple pulley clothesline. Before you try hanging a load of laundry, be sure the installation operates as you expect it to. It should not be so tight that it is difficult to pull the line; nor should it be so loose that it will twist around itself in the breeze. It should pull easily, with or without clothes on it.

5. 

   Enjoy your energy savings that will result from using your simple pulley clothesline!
   If the operation test seems to be ok, go ahead and hang your first load of laundry on your new simple pulley clothesline. For best results, start with the clothesline connection-point (clothesline tightening device segment) pulled up to the hands-on end, where you will be hanging the clothes. That way, you maximize your hanging length, of course.

   As you know, with each added item of wet laundry, your new pulley clothesline will sag. As you continue to hang items, keep an eye on the amount of sagging that is occurring, and especially take note of your anchor points and the rope connection.

   Depending upon your specific pulley clothesline circumstances (i.e., length of run); you might need some clothesline separators, to help keep the lower line from sagging too low.

   If everything looks like it is holding securely, and if the rope is not sagging too much, you've successfully installed your economical, energy-saving simple pulley clothesline. And, even though hanging and taking in laundry items might require a bit more physical energy, you will appreciate how fresh and clean they smell and feel when they come in; and you will get to enjoy some fresh air yourself, as well!

Tips & Warnings

• You might also consider suspending your bird-feeders from your new pulley-clothesline; it helps keep the squirrels and raccoons from eating all the seeds! And, if a daring squirrel does attempt to get to the feeders by 'tightrope-walking' to them, you will be in for a roaring good laugh if you're lucky enough to witness it!

• Be sure all attachments and connection points are tight and secure.

• Be careful not to overload your pulley clothesline.

• Check attachments and connection points frequently, to ensure they remain tight and secure.

Resources

• Save energy-line dry your laundry!
• Quing-It.com-Product Ingredient Information