We spent the long weekend tossing future ideas around, so I guess you can say that we were daydreaming and planning!
We don't have a washer at the farm. Don't really need one at this time. There is a space for one (where our utility sink is in the mudroom) so someday, we can definitely have one. Or of course, I could buy a washboard tub and a wringer but 2nd Man proooobably won't go for that.
But even without one, we are considering one of these:
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| Hills Rotary 7 Clothesline |
Why you might ask? Well the obvious of course, that sun dried laundry is amazing! We're considering this part of the infrastructure for the future and we can store it in the barn when not in use.
We were talking this long weekend and what we'd like to do is occasionally take a freshly washed and still wet load of items to the farm when we go out one morning and let it dry while we are there. I guess we'll have to time it juuuust right, ha.
We thought about just a standard clothesline with poles at each end, but this, while more expensive, solves many issues we've have, namely being easy to take down and remove. It also takes up less space in the yard. That might seem odd with so many acres, but of course, we have to keep the clothesline close to the house. We don't want it in the front yard, one side yard is shaded, the backyard we have other plans for, and so the other side is probably the best location. It's gets full sun and a breeze (on breezy days).
Anyone have one of these types?
Do you like line dried laundry?
Anyone have one of these types?
Do you like line dried laundry?
a must in my opinion for sure,, wise choice!!
ReplyDeleteI swear by mine - couldn't dry my clothes without it. Just make sure that you don't do what I did and position it (in concrete) in a spot that is in complete shade in winter...
ReplyDeleteYou HAVE to have a clothesline if you live out in the country - "it's the law"! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a clothesline like this - I love it. The clothes smell so fresh when dried on it. I cemented the part that goes in the ground for more stability. You can then remove the top part and store it when not in use - but I just leave mine up all the time.
I have two of them. And I love them. They get used very regularly, even in the winter.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are absolutely essential if you're going to dry your clothes out of doors. Much easier to hang the washing out too, you just stand in one place and spin it round to the next empty line!
ReplyDeletei dry almost everything on drying racks from spring through fall. i love line drying.
ReplyDeleteBy hanging your clothes outside you will also notice that your whites get brighter by hanging them in the fresh air and sun light.
ReplyDeleteYou also might consider a retractable line which can be used inside as well as outside.
http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-Retractable-Outdoor-Clothes/dp/B0000BYDEA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464712398&sr=8-2&keywords=hills+retractable+clothesline
https://www.google.com/search?q=retractable+clothesline&biw=1536&bih=787&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwily9jr3oTNAhXC24MKHYxLDf0QsAQITw&dpr=1.25
I did a post about our clothes line here...it is BUILT. We do not own a dryer so we enjoy sun dried wind blown laundry all the time. We would not have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteBased on a hills hoist - an orstraylian invention. And line dried clothes are nearly the best. Once I stayed in a B n B which dried their linen on lavender bushes in the sun. That WAS the best.
ReplyDeleteI like line dried laundry, but I don't have a decent place for a clothes line. Stuff from the trees would fall on the clean clothes. We also have sudden storms that would arise to soak the clothes. One minute the sky is clear in Northern Florida, and the next minute it's raining. But I commend you on your choice.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yes I bought one of the umbrella style lines from Sunshine clotheslines and dryers co., after reading a recommendation from the blog-sphere. Bought the flagpole too, which I just put up yesterday. So far, happy with both. Like that comment about lavender, may look into planting some smell goods under the pole!
ReplyDeleteI have a clothesline with posts at each end (not an umbrella) that has been in place for 10 years now and appears to have many more years of life. I love it! I love hanging the clothes, bringing them in, and then enjoying them. I had an umbrella line years ago and found it to be a nuisance, but they're probably sturdier and better built now. I like the way mine looks, though. I often take photos of it because it pleases me so much.
ReplyDeleteI must agree with you about the clothesline with posts. I had one for YEARS and loved it. When we redid our backyard landscaping we decided on an umbrella line due to lack of space and I hate it. It isn't sturdy and I don't like hanging my linens on it.
DeleteLove using a clothesline for linens. I dry my sheets, pillowcases and towels outside summer and winter. Most other clothes are better tumbled in a dryer to soften and dewrinkle them, but sleeping on sheets dried outside is a luxury feel, and just a necessary part of living in the country for this Indiana country girl.
ReplyDeleteOutdoor drying season began for me this week. I have a rotary line and have no problems with it. We have a permanent cement hole which seems to make things more secure and very easy to pop the apparatus in and out. The lavender idea is neat. New mown hay adds a wonderful scent too.
ReplyDeleteWe have the posts at either end with a retractable 8-line, 6 metre run type of clothesline. It is great in that it winds away when not in use. Being on stand alone solar, we have no choice but to dry our clothes the natural way. I must admit, I do like seeing the clothes flutter in the breeze.
ReplyDeleteWe also have one of these and it comes in very handy, love drying sheets and blankets on it (just watch out for the bees that also like to hang out in the pockets of fitted sheets). Downside is it's not really attractive and you need to keep it near the house obviously, also clothes, especially jeans, get really stiff and have to get thrown in the dryer for a couple of minutes to soften them up. The one you have posted is beautiful! A hand crank means you won't have to duck when you pass around it with the lawn tractor and because it's green, it'll blend in better. I think I'll trade in my old silver metal one for this beauty.
ReplyDeleteI have relatives in Australia and they couldn't believe it when I told them that my HOA would not allow clotheslines. They did tell me that the Hills clotheslines were the best and that was what everyone has in Australia where apparently driving laundry outside is big.
ReplyDeleteyou will find one of these in pretty much every back garden in NZ, they are usually part of the chattels!Drying clothes outside is very much the norm here, I only use my clothes dryer to de fluff things. Definitely a good idea to take your laundry out there to dry, think of the power you will save!
ReplyDelete