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Cleaning Up:  New Clothes Line  |
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arenecombs
Farmgirl at Heart
8 Posts
Andrea
McKee
KY
USA
8 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 15 2010 : 6:48:53 PM
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I am getting ready to install my first clothes line. From scratch, I don't even have clothes pins right now. So I am reaching out to the wise women of the forum for advice. What do you use for poles? Wire or cotton line? Wood or plastic clothes pins? If you could do yours over what would you do differently?
I have an unlimited amount of space and a nice budget. Any advice will be appreciated. |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2010 : 8:57:40 PM
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Cotton line and wood clothes pins I like the ones with ridges for the grip. I love mine and usse it daily.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2010 : 9:01:43 PM
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I have used trees in my yard, which worked really well cause it gave me over a foot of space between the lines. I used cotton lines, but really, really wished it had been the plastic coated wire ones. I have to tighten them every few weeks. I bought wooden clothes pins, which are very cheap dollar general, so replacing them every few years isn't bad, the plastic ones are very expensive, but do last longer. The wooden ones tend to leave little marks from the wood on your clothes, so hang them inside out. I'm not too sure about the plastic ones.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2010 : 9:25:02 PM
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How exciting --truly!! I absolutely love hanging up laundry. It's therapeutic for me. I love hearing the birds, feeling/seeing/hearing the wind & *love* knowing that my laundry is drying for free, by God's beautiful sun and breeze. I can't give any advice re: clothesline as mine is an umbrella style that I keep up year-round. It's a coated wire, I think. I haven't had to adjust it and this one's been up in all the weather for over five years. Re: the clothespins, I wouldn't do anything other than the spring-loaded wooden ones for the mere fact that they're the ecol choice (can recycle the metal & the wood just breaks down). I think they're pretty when they're painted or colored on, too :-)
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
Edited by - Mama Jewel on Aug 16 2010 08:49:26 AM |
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katrina
True Blue Farmgirl
63 Posts
Katrina
The Dalles
Oregon
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2010 : 06:53:24 AM
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The only thing I will change about ours is that the lines aren't level. We tied the to trees, then hooked them to the house. Unfortunately, where we tied them is a foot or so above where they attach to the house, so the clothes always seem to slide.
www.WorkOfArtCreations.com |
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jill skane
True Blue Farmgirl
853 Posts
jill lillian
stacyville
maine
USA
853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2010 : 06:59:32 AM
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Only thing about the plastic line coated wire is it gets dirty probably from acid rain, you will need to wipe it down once and a while. The wood cloths pins will leave dirty marks also, good idea to turn cloths inside out when hanging. When I wash sheet I put cut up paper towels between sheets and pins to stop dirt marks.
Jill Lillian |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2010 : 10:57:09 AM
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My clothes line is just hay ropes between the trees. I intended that would only be temporary until I got 'real' clothesline, but it's served me well for several years and I've got no reason to change it now. :D Enjoy your free dryer and the beautiful sunshine. :D
"The ideal equestrian has the courage of a lion, the patience of a saint, and the hands of a woman."
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Jackie Ferri
Farmgirl in Training
33 Posts
Jacqueline
Trumbull
CT
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2010 : 7:20:50 PM
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I've used a retractable single line for years and decided to upgrade. So my husband and I hung up a five line retractable clothesline that runs the length of our deck. Because it's retractable the lines shouldn't get dirty. I wasn't too diligent about this with the single line unit. I never leave out my clothes pin bag and wood pins, so they always stay clean and I never get marks on my laundry.It is lovely to see the laundry sway by the wind. And the laundry dries very quickly!
Farmgirl sister #1664
Resourceful Creative Organized Mom |
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LauraJane
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
Laura
Denver
CO
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2010 : 8:49:25 PM
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I found some bamboo clothes pins at the grocery store (Kroger) and I just LOVE them. They are really cheap (but strong!) and they're green cuz they're bamboo, Yay! I don't think I'll ever use my dryer again, well until it starts snowing - maybe not even then. Its so nice living in a dry climate (Colorado). I used to live in Missouri, it takes forever for something to dry in that humidity!
<3
Laura
Farmgirl #2005
May you be happy, may you be well! |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 08:41:21 AM
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i like cotton line and wooden clothes pins
our greatest glory is not in never falling but in getting up every time we do (confucious) |
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PilgrimSoul
True Blue Farmgirl
61 Posts
Jessie
NJ
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2010 : 12:45:52 PM
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| I'm so glad this thread exists! I want to put up a laundry line, but wasn't sure what route to take. I'm considering getting an umbrella unit. |
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corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville
ontario, Kansas
71 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2010 : 11:09:27 AM
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I got bamboo clothes pins at our asian market. They were SOOO cheap...(200 for 1.99!)
For those of you using cotton...what kind of line is this, and where do you find it? How long do they last? I put up a coated wire one, but I do have to wash it a lot. I'm going to put up a second line as I often do all my laundry in one day.
Corrabelle
http://themayberrysparrow.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh.
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2010 : 5:41:05 PM
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oohh, bamboo! I'll have to keep an eye out for those. Love bamboo!
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 08:37:46 AM
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I have plastic coated wire lines to hang my clothes on and I love them. My clothesline is actually an unused pergola in my side yard. It has five lines and holds a ton of laundry! Just a quick wipe with a damp cloth every now and then keeps them clean. I do use wooden pins- I just put them in a clothespin bag and take them in when I'm done. I don't have any problems with them at all. They still look new and I've had them for two years!
Have fun with your new clothesline!
Karin
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
www.athreadofred.blogspot.com |
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Lida
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Lida
Rochester
NY
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2010 : 2:11:40 PM
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I also line dry our laundry when the weather cooperates. I have a small back yard so there weren't many options for hanging the line. DH attached one end to the back porch and then cemented in a wooden post to hold the other end. I love the line but don;t make the mistake I intentionally made because of the lack of space- I had to hang the line over the garden so that limits where I can place taller veggies or flowers. I use wooden clothes pins and keep them in a basket by the backdoor.
In the winter I dry many things on a set of clothes bars in the livingroom in front of the gas fireplace.
Lida |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2010 : 01:50:37 AM
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I have 2 ugly rusted washing poles in my garden. CAN"T get them out so....I am still thinking about painting them pink lol. Looks way nicer that way and since they HAVE to be there...better enjoy them haha. I hang up my washing with plastic pins sorry....can't find the wooden pins anymore, they are all plastic here yikes. LOVE me some wooden ones but alas.......so better use the colorful plastic ;)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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SuzieQ
True Blue Farmgirl
175 Posts
Suzie
Texas
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 7:36:42 PM
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| My neighborhood will not let me have a cloths line so I strung three lines in my garage and with the temps being 100+ the clothes dry fast. I also can not have gardens in the front, but I put two raised beds with veg. and a few zinnas for the flower beds. YOU CAN NOT STOP A FARMGIRL EVEN IF SHE LIVES IN A CITY. |
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2quilter
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Patricia
Greenwood
IN
USA
127 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2010 : 7:41:36 PM
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I used to have a clothes line, then I moved in with my honeybunches....and we didn't have one. He just installed one for me, an upside down umbrella looking thing (all I wanted was the standard run between the t-poles) - I was reluctant I admit, due to the fact that I love to hang out my quilts and the umbrella thingy isn't very big....but the solution is to simply fold the quilt around to the other side, like you were bending it...no problem at all. I just wish the towels were a little softer!
When life hands you scraps, make quilts! |
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 09:06:39 AM
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I use our umbrella one for quilts & king-sized comforters & yes, it works wonderfully to wrap them around the other sides :-) As for making the towels softer, using vinegar in the rinse (either in the dispenser or in a Downey ball) works wonderfully!
Farm Girl Sister #1683 Living Simply & Naturally on our lil Sweet Peas Farmette
"Do Everything in Love." 1 Cor 14
http://www.piecemama.etsy.com |
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Meg
Moderator/Farmgirl True
974 Posts
Meg
Idaho
USA
974 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2010 : 09:37:01 AM
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We set up a new clothesline at our house over the weekend and it's been overcast and rainy since.  Oops, I jinxed us!
MaryJane's daughter,
Meg
megan@maryjanesfarm.org |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2010 : 10:16:55 PM
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I have a "removable" clothesline. I screwed a metal eye hook into the garage wall as high up as I could reach, and then I put a sailor's cleat about two feet below that. Then, in a tree all the way across the yard, I screwed another metal eye hood into the trunk, also as high up as I could reach. I tied a snap shackle to one end of the clothesline, stretched it back to the garage, and threaded the other end through that eye hook and wound the remaining clothesline around the cleat. When not in use, I wind the whole clothesline around the eye hook and cleat on the garage wall. To use, all I have to do is stretch the line across the line and snap the shackle onto the eye hook in the tree. I can put up a whole load of clothes or one bed's worth of sheets, but it does have to be propped up in the middle with a long pole when the clothes are really heavy.
Suzie, props to you for coming up with ways to circumvent your homeowners' association rules. I'm not normally an anarchist, but I HATE homeowners' associations! It's my position that it's MY house, I pay the taxes...if I want a bathtub filled with flowers in the front yard, then by golly, I'll have one!
Jessie Mae
Farmgirl Sisterhood #134 |
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solilly
True Blue Farmgirl
726 Posts
Lillian
Williamsburg
Virginia
USA
726 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2010 : 12:19:21 PM
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Well you all I have been hanging clothes on the line sence I was a child now I am 56. Early in life when we did not have a line we hung them over the bushes to dry. Well my clothes line is on the T post made of metal. With 4 lines of plastic covered wire. I wipe my lines off every time I hang clothes out and I never leave my clothes pins out side or on the line. I bet some of my pins are 30 years old. Now and then they do break. If they only come apart I put them together wash them off and put them back in my pin bag. Which by the way is a apron I made just for the pins. Lilly 
learning the life I always wanted. |
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Littleredd
True Blue Farmgirl
174 Posts
Patty
Norwich
NY
USA
174 Posts |
Posted - Sep 23 2010 : 2:06:44 PM
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I have clothesline envy. |
Edited by - Littleredd on Sep 23 2010 2:07:08 PM |
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Cleaning Up: New Clothes Line |
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New Clothes Line
