Clothes lines
- Thread starter roscoe62
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Yes (and no)
Ours is this umbrella type, but it was set in concrete to keep the central pole sturdily positioned, so that's never been an issue.
The first day we used it, the center collar started to slide down the pole, and our laundry drooped precariously close to the ground. A couple of ring clamps positioned strategically under the collar resolved that initial issue.
Next, the arms that hold the corners of the umbrella up started to bend over time, and one finally fractured. I found aluminum tubing of the same diameter at Ace and replaced the faulty arm, and it's been perfect ever since. We also strung a separate line to dry things like sheets and bedspreads, because A) it's annoying to try and fit them evenly on an umbrella line, and B) they tend to be weightier and more wind-prone, and it's the weight and flexing that did the thing in to begin with.
Otherwise, it's been fine. (Other than that, how'd you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?)
Ours is this umbrella type, but it was set in concrete to keep the central pole sturdily positioned, so that's never been an issue.
The first day we used it, the center collar started to slide down the pole, and our laundry drooped precariously close to the ground. A couple of ring clamps positioned strategically under the collar resolved that initial issue.
Next, the arms that hold the corners of the umbrella up started to bend over time, and one finally fractured. I found aluminum tubing of the same diameter at Ace and replaced the faulty arm, and it's been perfect ever since. We also strung a separate line to dry things like sheets and bedspreads, because A) it's annoying to try and fit them evenly on an umbrella line, and B) they tend to be weightier and more wind-prone, and it's the weight and flexing that did the thing in to begin with.
Otherwise, it's been fine. (Other than that, how'd you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?)
LOL -- nice tag line, Nate!
I swear by my retractable clothes line. If you have viable points A and B, they're easy to use and disappear when not in use. Mine is mainly used for sheets, but occasionally I'll dry other items on it.
Umbrella types seem difficult to use and per Nate, potentially problematic, but I can see their purpose if space is limited. I think I'd prefer the blown-out umbrella type, which would be more king size sheet-friendly on its perimeter and offer easier access to the center.
I swear by my retractable clothes line. If you have viable points A and B, they're easy to use and disappear when not in use. Mine is mainly used for sheets, but occasionally I'll dry other items on it.
Umbrella types seem difficult to use and per Nate, potentially problematic, but I can see their purpose if space is limited. I think I'd prefer the blown-out umbrella type, which would be more king size sheet-friendly on its perimeter and offer easier access to the center.
lotsosudz
Well-known member
I use one!
I use mine during the spring and summer months. Ours has the straight lines, as opposed to the v-formatted style, which I find useless. Although king size sheets can be a challenge, I love mine, and like the fact that it does not take up half of our bckyard. In the afternoon, it goes into 1/2 shade, which I find great for the colored stuff. I usually 3/4 dry everything, and then put them in for a spin in the dryer on no heat. Then you get the line dried smell, and the softness from the dryer.
Hugs,
David
I use mine during the spring and summer months. Ours has the straight lines, as opposed to the v-formatted style, which I find useless. Although king size sheets can be a challenge, I love mine, and like the fact that it does not take up half of our bckyard. In the afternoon, it goes into 1/2 shade, which I find great for the colored stuff. I usually 3/4 dry everything, and then put them in for a spin in the dryer on no heat. Then you get the line dried smell, and the softness from the dryer.
Hugs,
David
You need one of the ones in the link. Can you import from Australia? You'll buy once and it'll last you 20-30 years without any issue.
Fixed head or Umbrella
Permanent or removable with a nice socket you concrete into the ground.
They've been a feature in the Aussie backyard since just after WWII
The Fixed head ones are still made the same way there were for the last 50 years or so.
Fixed head or Umbrella
Permanent or removable with a nice socket you concrete into the ground.
They've been a feature in the Aussie backyard since just after WWII
The Fixed head ones are still made the same way there were for the last 50 years or so.
packardmanken
Well-known member
umbrella clothes line
I had issues with the umbrella clothes line that I ordered from Ace catalog. The spike just wasnt enough to stabilize it. I had a birdhouse on a metal pole abt four feet tall. The galvanized pipe was set into the ground so i removed the birdhouse and just slipped the shaft of the closthesline over the pipe and job done. No more issues and it spins like a charm!
I had issues with the umbrella clothes line that I ordered from Ace catalog. The spike just wasnt enough to stabilize it. I had a birdhouse on a metal pole abt four feet tall. The galvanized pipe was set into the ground so i removed the birdhouse and just slipped the shaft of the closthesline over the pipe and job done. No more issues and it spins like a charm!
polkanut
Well-known member
When we bought our house in 1998 there was an umbrella type clothesline that was inserted into a piece of pipe which had been set in cement at ground level. It worked great for the first 2 years we lived here until one Saturday when a huge gust of wind caught it and the pole snapped off at ground level. I then talked to my friend Leroy who sells barn fixtures and he got us a U-shaped clothesline which we love. It can be moved around the yard for mowing purposes or to catch the best breeze, and/or sunlight. We have had it since approx 2001. We have the 20ft version. These U-shaped clotheslines are also very popular with the Amish and Mennonite communities we have around here.
[this post was last edited: 5/2/2014-13:05]
[this post was last edited: 5/2/2014-13:05]
mrb627
Well-known member
U-Line
I haven't ever seen on of those before. Genius!
Wish we could have a clothesline. But they are banned here.
Why can't the energy Nazi's focus on this instead of the washing machine?
Malcolm
I haven't ever seen on of those before. Genius!
Wish we could have a clothesline. But they are banned here.
Why can't the energy Nazi's focus on this instead of the washing machine?
Malcolm
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
I love to hang my clothes out
Here in Kansas when the wind is below a category 5 those two days a year. I have an old fashioned arrangement with two T poles set in concrete in the ground approximately 25 feet apart. My biggest issue since moving into this house has been trying to find the old fashioned line.
I have finally settled with the Nylon rope, where I have to replace about every two years. I wish I could find the old air-craft type cable with the turn buckles that you can use to tighten the line when needed.
Here in Kansas when the wind is below a category 5 those two days a year. I have an old fashioned arrangement with two T poles set in concrete in the ground approximately 25 feet apart. My biggest issue since moving into this house has been trying to find the old fashioned line.
I have finally settled with the Nylon rope, where I have to replace about every two years. I wish I could find the old air-craft type cable with the turn buckles that you can use to tighten the line when needed.
ovrphil
Well-known member
At one time, we used the umbrella line, for outdoors, but as mentioned above, things can happen when the wind picks up. It's ideal if you have no trees around to have birds leave little presents. Or if you do have trees, they're not towering over the clothes lines where dust, seeds and sap(sometimes)add unwelcomed decoration to your wash.
We use a simple retractable clothesline called a Minty(made in Germany), since we can't hang out the laundry on our balcony...wish it were different and we could hang them outside.
We use a simple retractable clothesline called a Minty(made in Germany), since we can't hang out the laundry on our balcony...wish it were different and we could hang them outside.
firedome
Well-known member
Hoity Toity neighborhoods
that ban clotheslines as "unsightly" are just plain stupid! A couple of years ago Vermont passed a "Right to Dry" law making it illegal to ban them. Perhaps the GA legislature should be persuaded to do the same?
that ban clotheslines as "unsightly" are just plain stupid! A couple of years ago Vermont passed a "Right to Dry" law making it illegal to ban them. Perhaps the GA legislature should be persuaded to do the same?
polkanut
Well-known member
There are right-to-dry laws in 19 states. HOA's can't legally enforce their bans in these states. We need all 50 states to get on board with this.
polkanut
Well-known member
Harley,
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">This is the type of clothesline we have been using since we moved into this house nearly 17 years ago. Hasn't broken yet.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">This is the type of clothesline we have been using since we moved into this house nearly 17 years ago. Hasn't broken yet.</span>
A neighbor had the umbrella type with an umbrella cover on top. It was green vinyl to protect the line and stuff hanging on it, but in the 50s the parents slept on double sheets and the kids on twin so they were easier to hang on the square thing than today's larger sizes. I think it took two loads out of the AMP. We had T-shaped poles that daddy mounted correctly in concrete leaning slightly backward and he let the concrete cure for a week before he strung the lines. The lines were metal with the turnbuckle for tightening The poles were straight up and down and the lines did not sag so we did not need the prop poles with the V-shape notch in the end. Mom kept little strips of cloth tied around each of the lines to clean them before each use. We had a forsythia planted by the pole at the far end.
A note under the the U-shaped clothes line said that the 20 foot model needs a trailer. Is that for transporting it home or for hauling it around the yard?
A note under the the U-shaped clothes line said that the 20 foot model needs a trailer. Is that for transporting it home or for hauling it around the yard?
I LOVE My Latvian Clothes Dryer!
I used a retractable clothes line for years but it was only good for hanging sheets or large items as it couldn't hold a lot of smaller items. It also "sagged" and had to be propped up with a pole in the middle. I finally decided to "take the plunge" and buy a BRABANTIA umbrella-type clothes dryer from Amazon.
It came with a VERY sturdy steel ground anchor than can be simply driven into the ground OR set in concrete. I just put in in the ground and it is MORE than sturdy enough to hold a full load (what amounts to four full loads from my 1987 Kenmore Electronic Fabric Care washer). I am saving LOADS on electricity AND getting great smelling laundry with that "dried outdoors fresh" scent. The unit is made in Latvia (surprise - never had ANYTHING made there before) and is VERY well made. It comes with a nice cover and folds easily. It also can be removed from the ground anchor and stored in a shed or garage when not in use. GET ONE! You won't be sorry!
I used a retractable clothes line for years but it was only good for hanging sheets or large items as it couldn't hold a lot of smaller items. It also "sagged" and had to be propped up with a pole in the middle. I finally decided to "take the plunge" and buy a BRABANTIA umbrella-type clothes dryer from Amazon.
It came with a VERY sturdy steel ground anchor than can be simply driven into the ground OR set in concrete. I just put in in the ground and it is MORE than sturdy enough to hold a full load (what amounts to four full loads from my 1987 Kenmore Electronic Fabric Care washer). I am saving LOADS on electricity AND getting great smelling laundry with that "dried outdoors fresh" scent. The unit is made in Latvia (surprise - never had ANYTHING made there before) and is VERY well made. It comes with a nice cover and folds easily. It also can be removed from the ground anchor and stored in a shed or garage when not in use. GET ONE! You won't be sorry!
I have 2 clothes lines with reels between 2 trees so I can stand in one place and fill them both, Unfortunately, I have been able to use them once so far this year because of the consistantly rainy and freezing weather we still are still having. My trusty old Maytag dryer always is right there.
polkanut
Well-known member
Tom,
A trailer is needed to transport the sections home. Once at your destination you then assemble it. My friend Leroy whom we bought ours through had a nice flatbed trailer with short sides, and that worked perfectly. We have the 20 ft version.
A trailer is needed to transport the sections home. Once at your destination you then assemble it. My friend Leroy whom we bought ours through had a nice flatbed trailer with short sides, and that worked perfectly. We have the 20 ft version.
banned clotheslines? Makes me chuckle ;-)
unsightly? LOL
What better way could there be to dry your clothes naturally and not consume any fuel at all?
I am shocked about those strange legal regulations. It just sounds like forbidding using a bicycle (for showing off unsightly thick or even hairy thighs), instead reinforcing the use of cars (just to save energy, you know). MAAAANNN! Let there be curls on rough skin I say! That is what God composed men of.
To me that regulation is like "Desperate Housewives" and "1948" by George Orwell combined into one.
Of course, I am aware of being guilty of "thought crime"....
Here we go: "Destroy our resources big time, otherwise you MIGHT disturb the sore eyes of some prissy neighbourhood queen (forbidden)" - oops! That was "doppelplusungut", I better keep out of this.
Good moodedly swiffering away here... (because "rofl" itself would be over the edge again...)
Joe
unsightly? LOL
What better way could there be to dry your clothes naturally and not consume any fuel at all?
I am shocked about those strange legal regulations. It just sounds like forbidding using a bicycle (for showing off unsightly thick or even hairy thighs), instead reinforcing the use of cars (just to save energy, you know). MAAAANNN! Let there be curls on rough skin I say! That is what God composed men of.
To me that regulation is like "Desperate Housewives" and "1948" by George Orwell combined into one.
Of course, I am aware of being guilty of "thought crime"....
Here we go: "Destroy our resources big time, otherwise you MIGHT disturb the sore eyes of some prissy neighbourhood queen (forbidden)" - oops! That was "doppelplusungut", I better keep out of this.
Good moodedly swiffering away here... (because "rofl" itself would be over the edge again...)
Joe
