How to Assemble a Clothesline

With your energy bill climbing, and the growing discussion of the environmental impact of energy use, the idea of turning back to nature to dry clothes is sounding better every day. As you turn back to the sunshine and the wind to dry your clothes, you'll also get the added bonus of bringing the outdoors in with great smelling clothing. Here's what you'll need and how to build your own clothesline.

Things You'll Need

• Two 4-by-4-inch pine posts, 8-feet-long
• One 2-by-4-inch pine post, 8-feet-long
• Screws (10)
• Eye bolts (8)
• Clothes line (nylon or plastic)
• Drill
• Saw
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Post hole digger

Instructions

1. Dig two holes, 2-feet-deep, approximately 10 to 12 feet apart.

2. Trim the 4-by-4 posts to seven feet, or less if you want your clothesline shorter. Cut the 2-by-4 in half.

3. Screw one piece of the 2-by-4 across the top of the 4-by-4 post, and then do the same for the other end of the clothesline.

4. Drill one hole on each end of the 2-by-4, and screw an eye bolt in each hole.

5. Place the 4-by-4 post, which now should look like a "T," in the hole using the level to ensure it's straight. Fill the hole with dirt around the post. Repeat for the other end.

6. Step on the dirt to pack it, and run water over the area to meld the dirt in place.

7. Tie one end of the clothesline to an eye bolt then tie the other end, pulling the line tight. Repeat for the other set of eye bolts.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose treated lumber, it will handle impact of weather better than non-treated.

• Choose a location for your clothesline away from overhead power lines and trees to avoid bird droppings on your clean clothes.

• Run your clothes through a five minute fluff cycle on the dryer to get rid of the stiff feeling.

• Make sure your posts are secure to avoid injuries from them falling over on anyone.

• Keep your clothesline tight to avoid strangulation risk for small children.

References

• DIY clothesline guide
• Backyard clothesline directions