| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| missusprim |
Posted - Oct 22 2010 : 07:33:07 AM
I absolutely love to hang out my laundry, but now that we live in the country and are surrounded by fields, it's awfully windy. We have clothesline rope hung between two trees (how green is that?  ) and I use the standard spring loaded pins you buy at grocery stores. They're fine for less windy days, but just not enough on the windy days. Because I have a rope line, I can't use the push on kind.
I bought a package of those all plastic light blue spring pins but they are designed to clamp the clothes, but not to the line. So, the clothes often 'slide' up and down my line or together. KWIM?
Anyone know of a source for strong clothespins that aren't your average or standard ones? I don't give a hoot what they look like or how much they cost........I'm just desperate!
Or, maybe even someone who uses something 'un' clothespin like to hold my laundry on the line? Or who modifies existing clothespins?
Thanks for any tips or hints ahead of time. And I am so psyched about this site and can't wait to get into the farm girl life! |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| missusprim |
Posted - Nov 15 2010 : 05:39:40 AM
Sandra, please don't feel bad! I'm not angry with you or anyone who gave advice and/or sources - we're only human! Really no harm done, and I have my eye on a few other things from the catalog so my experience has not turned me off to Lee Valley in the least.
What works for one may not work for another. I did find some plastic clip on pins at our local Meijer on a clip strip over by the laundry detergent and they're just a tad stronger than my wood clippies. They open real wide and I really like them so far, and they're great for delicates like satin undies and such.
Also, my neighbor hangs hers out. I should ask what she uses, as it looks like her lines gets more wind than mine does as it's not blocked by a big building (our house) like ours - it's just out by the field. Sometimes I notice that her bed sheets are parallel to the ground as it get's pretty windy here in our flat part of Ohio.
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| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 7:55:34 PM
Karen I'm so sorry! I am really surprised as I have bought from them for years and never had a problem. I must admit I haven't ordered the clothes pins because I have enough. I really do apologize, I would never have recommended them if I wasn't impressed with the company, their products and service. I thought I was being helpful...but unless I've ordered it myself I shouldn't say anything. Please forgive me, I really was trying to be helpful.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
| mrsamy |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 06:40:02 AM
How about binder clips from the office supply section/office supply store. They have some serious clamping ability. They are metal, but seem to be coated pretty well. I'd watch for rust or give 'em a shot of rustoleum spray paint before you use them. There is also a coating that can be purchased from the hardware store to paint the handles of tools so they have a cushiony rubber grip on the handles. Maybe paint your clothesline with that so the clothes won't slide as easily? Personally I use a combination of clip and non-clip pins on my line (but it's not as windy here). I put a non-clip one on each piece in the middle to keep 'em from sliding and that minimizes the wear on the line because there aren't as many used at a time.
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
| missusprim |
Posted - Nov 05 2010 : 09:13:08 AM
DH swore up and down that most companies do not include shipping charges in their return and thought that Lee Valley was included. We went round and round as I could've sworn that this was not the case......so I chalked it up to a lesson learned and dumped the pins in my bucket with my others. THEN I looked in their catalog and discovered that they DO in fact, offer a full return including 'regular shipping.'
So, now I have to fish all the clothespin out of my bucket and send them back in hopes of recouping our money. I'm hoping that that it all goes well as I do like this company and see LOADS of products I'd like to get or will need since living on the farm.
I'll keep you all posted. I hate when things don't go right! |
| Annika |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 11:53:54 AM
Yeah, don't just let it go...tell them why you are dissatisfied and ask for your money back...times are too hard to just let go of your money for something that you don't need.
I'm just a nosy old lady who is also a chronic penny pincher 
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 11:32:07 AM
Oh no Karen! I would give Lee Valley a call and tell them exactly what you posted here...that they are the same poor quality as the ones you bought at Walmart. Lee Valley (at least here in Canada) makes a great effort to provide a quality product. The clothes pins I bought through them were bigger and had a much stronger spring. Do let them know you are not happy, perhaps even insist on a refund.
Di |
| missusprim |
Posted - Nov 04 2010 : 07:52:27 AM
Received the Lee Valley clothespins last week and I'm so disappointed. They are virtually the same as what I purchased at our local WalMart, Meijers, etc. in size and strength.
So, until I find what I'm looking for I'll just double pin on the windier days so all is not lost for having the extra. I thank all who gave suggestions, though! |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Oct 23 2010 : 11:08:22 PM
I have the Lee Valley clothes pins and they are excellent quality. You'll be really pleased with them.
Di |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Oct 23 2010 : 6:05:38 PM
Just FYI, if you can find vintage pins, they are STRONG. I bought several at a flea market this spring and they would hold jeans through a tornado! Before I buy pins, I check the size of the metal piece. The larger the hole, and thicker the wire, the stronger the grip.
Good luck w/ your new pins :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| missusprim |
Posted - Oct 23 2010 : 08:37:48 AM
Thanks, I'll let you know if they hold up in our windy corner of the world......am anxious. Pic online shows them to be larger than the ordinary, and I'm guessing have a stronger spring. Yikes on the shipping, though! Oh well, if they work out it'd be worth every penny. I don't like coming home from work and wondering if I'm going to see my laundry scattered all over the fields....... I'd die if someone got ahold of my 'underthings' as I wear'em until they virtually fall apart. 
You may also like Lehman's catalog, too. They're out of Ohio and generally cater to the Amish but also to the 'English'. I just received my catalog day before yesterday and there is so much that farm people could use in it. I spent nearly two hours scouring through it and ear tagging pages.........
Have a great weekend! |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Oct 23 2010 : 05:31:51 AM
Great! let me know how you like them as I might order some down the road. I just placed an order for rust "erasers", surgical nail scrubber, an herb chart and tarp clips for my wood pile with the tarp over it. I have never had a bad product from them. They might be pricier but you definitely get what you pay for and their products are top notch in my book. I can't afford to waste money on cheap items that don't work or need constant replacing. You'll get a catalog now and watch out....if you're like me, there will always be things you'll want from them!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
| missusprim |
Posted - Oct 22 2010 : 12:18:11 PM
I just ordered a package, can't wait to try them. Thanks for the heads up! I did try the non clip kind but they don't work well with rope as they pinched the rope too much and it started to deteriorate (and my rope was packaged and labeled as clothesline rope). I was raised on the non clip kind but then my Mom had/has a wire clothesline and it worked great for that type.
Also, I like the idea of going farther up on the clip, makes sense and I'll sure give it a go. Couldn't hurt until my better ones come!
Thanks again. |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Oct 22 2010 : 07:44:57 AM
P.S. A little tip maybe...when I pin my clothes on the line especially heavier items like bath towels, sheets, etc. I open the clip and push it all the way down on the line and item to be pinned ie; The item and line are almost into the hinge part of the clothes pin. I hope that helps. Plus, you might not have that problem at all if you had the non-clip/non-hinged type of clothes pins.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
| Sandra K. Licher |
Posted - Oct 22 2010 : 07:39:03 AM
www.leevalley.com .....I just got their catalog and they were saying the same thing! It's hard to find good sturdy clothespins but there you go girlfriend! Their products are fantastic and top quality...I've been ordering from them for years and I know many of the farm gals on here do too. I'd order some myself but I have my Mother's old pins and I got an old clothespin bag at a junk store that was also full of old clothespins so I am good to go now!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
