How to Use a Clothesline
Use a clothes line to dry laundry and save energy. Take advantage of seasonal warmth to avoid paying for gas or electric power to run a clothes dryer. Spend a little time outside hanging laundry on a nice day in exchange for the money you would otherwise spend to run a dryer. Clothes that get line dried outdoors absorb the clean scent of fresh air without artificial perfumes from dryer sheets. There's never any static cling on dry clothes as they come off the line either. Clotheslines provide a green alternative anytime weather allows. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Cloth weave or nylon clothesline Clothesline poles Post hole digger Concrete mix Hoe Shovel Wheel barrel Level Ferrules and pliers or heavy duty tape Clothespins Laundry baskets
Instructions
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How to Use a Clothesline
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1
Install clothesline poles. Dig holes for clothesline poles with post hole digger at least 30 feet apart with no obstructions between. Dig 5 feet deep and 1 foot in diameter. Mix concrete in a wheel barrel with a hoe and shovel it into a hole. Sink a post into the wet concrete and set it plumb with a level. Allow 5 days drying time.
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2
Tie on a clothesline. Stand in front of one pole with your back to the other and thread one end of a clothesline through the holes in the crossbar. Pull at least 16 inches of line through to the opposite side and wrap it around the crossbar twice. Thread it back through the holes and secure it to the incoming part of the line by clamping a ferrule around the lines with pliers or wrapping them with duct tape. Thread the other end of the line through the opposite crossbar holes on the other pole and cut the line with 16 inches to spare. Pull the line tense before wrapping it around the crossbar. Thread it back through the holes and ferrule clamp or tape. Most T-pole clothesline supports provide holes to tie on 4 clotheslines.
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3
Bring clean wet clothes and bedding out to the clothesline in laundry baskets. Hang large items like sheets and blankets first.
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4
Hang sheets and blankets by laying them over the line with half on each side. Single-size bedding can hang folded across the width. Fold bedding over the line lengthwise if it hangs to the ground when folded over the width. Secure each bedding item to the line with four clothespins, separated evenly with one at each end.
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5
Hang towels along the width of one end to conserve line space. Pinch a clothespin at both sides of the end. Small hand towels and washcloths can hang from a corner with just one clothespin. Use a clothes dryer for towels if they get too stiff from drying outdoors.
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6
Hang shirts and tops with all buttons unfastened. Pick up shirts where the top seams meet the sleeves. Fold the outer point of each seam over the line and secure it with a clothespin.
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7
Hang socks, boxers, briefs and panties with one clothespin for each. Secure socks by the toe and undergarments from one side of the waistband.
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Tips & Warnings
Clotheslines can also be used to air out bedspreads and pillows. Rugs can be draped over the line for beating the dust out.
Do not leave clothes in direct sunlight for long periods. Colors can fade with solar exposure.
