need YOUR help, re: clothesline
| I really, really want a clotheslines. Really bad. We have plenty of space in our yard, lots of sun, and easy access to our basement laundry area from outside. What's the holdup, you ask? Mr. Savvy. He doesn't like clotheslines for aesthetic reasons. I also think he is hesitant to say yes because he grew up with a clothesline in the yard that was never used. I want to make a list of clothesline pros that I can use to persuade him. I almost have him worn down enough to say yes, but I really need his full cooperation when it comes to pouring concrete and installing the clothesline. So here's my list of pros... I need your help to come up with more! 1. Sheets, towels, etc. dried in the sun smell good. 2. Whiter whites and natural stain removal (very important since we plan to cloth diaper). I also have a lot of white towels and sheets that could really use a few hours in the sun to get rid of some of the dinginess. 3. Faster laundry cycles, since it takes our dryer longer to dry than our washer washes. 4. Clotheslines are very economical, saving electricity and reducing heat production. 5. Drying things in the sun is a natural anti-microbial. I'm sure there's more. To me, #2 and #5 are enough of a reason. I will every once in a while hang our comforters and blankets out in the sun to freshen them up and it does a much better job than a washing machine or dry cleaner chemicals. What other pros can you come up with? Any support you can provide will just help convince Mr. Savvy that we should have a clothesline. |
posted by savvy at 7/12/2007 07:43:00 AM
Comments on "need YOUR help, re: clothesline"
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Marie said ... (8:20 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (7:51 PM) :
post a commentAside from the Economical savings and the Eco friendly stance you are taking there are ways to create a clothes line that does not impede (sp) the beauty of your back yard. Collapsible clothes line is a definite option.
I'm considering either collapsible or retractable, but I think he doesn't even want the post there.
I've tried showing him some different types of lines and he doesn't even want to look at them yet.
Your clothes will last longer dried on a clothes line. Dryer lint is from the woven threads wearing thin from the heat of the dryer and the friction of tumbling.
Also there is no fire danger from lint build up in the exhaust hose, lint trap, or build up around or under the motor.
Plus no more worrying about dryer breakdowns.
Once the cheap energy era is over, we'll all be drying clothes this way. Tell Mr to get over his silly hangups
I had a retractable one when I was younger. The post never bothered us. It was painted a light green and was near a tree till my mom cut the tree down. They're not that ugly. He needs to get over it.
The other thing is if you are cloth diapering, drying outside is hygienic. The UV rays from the sun will kill bacteria. Try the health angle over the aesthetic angle and see what he says. ;-)
Its eco-friendly, which is a huge plus in my book! I think you could definitely compromise by getting a retractable line... Besides, I think a clothes line looks kinda quaint, with all the whites and linens drying in the breeze!
Hello Savvy, I have a 1 pole umbrella type line. You have probably seen them, with 4 sides/sections. In order to keep peace in our house, this was the best option. Hubby dug a hole and inserted a sleeve in the ground with cement. My line pole slides right in and there are no runs across the yard. It fits in a nice confined space.
The beauty of this system is, when we are having company for a bbq or anyother occasion, we can pull it out and put it in the shed. You wouldn't even know it was there - ever.
Maybe something like this would work for you.
I don't know what neighborhood you live in, but check the restrictions. My parent's neighborhood has a clause against having clothes lines.... Dumb, I know, but very real.
(My Mom put one up anyway... hidden in the back of their lot behind lots of trees....)
Sun dried sheets do smell great!
Lots of good ideas!
D - did you get your clothesline at just a regular hardware store, or was it something you had to special order or make?
Anon - we don't live in an HOA. I rented in an HOA once and decided that I would never, ever live in one ;)
More money saved, is more money he can spend on his man room!
They sell my sort of clothesline at most hardware stores - if I am remember correctly..I got this one at Ace for $24.99 or there abouts. I have had it for years. There is one flaw to the line though, it wears after a time and the umbrella like button does not sustain as much weight after a couple years. So I had hubby make a pin and drill a hole - when this happened and voila cheap fix and works great!
anonymous - clotheslines are also restricted in my private community. Although, they better not ever dare to tell me to take it down. They haven't in 17 years. Unless they are prepared to help fund my gas bill. (I sound tough in print):)
Oh man, I am late to the party- is it too late to jump in here? This is a topic near and dear to my heart.
We use our clothesline almost every day, year round. We do not live in a tropical location; we have 4 distinct seasons.
I find that for 3 seasons of the year, clothes dry on the line faster than they dry in the drier. (It may take a little longer in the middle of winter.)
There are the obvious power bill savings from not using the dryer. Secondary savings are realized from keeping the house cooler during warmer months, i.e. the dryer isn't competing with or causing the use of air conditioning. Humidity inside the house is reduced.
Clothes last longer and are fresher. That "whoops! the clothes didn't get quite dry and now they smell musty..." thing is completely eliminated.
We didn't realize how much "shrinkage" our drier was causing until we went back to using a clothesline. Now, surprise! our clothes seem to fit us longer.
The biggest part of keeping a clothesline looking neat and tidy, in my opinion, is to take clothes down daily. Don't leave them hanging up there forever like they've been orphaned.
Make the whole thing look like you meant to do that.
Also, hang towels and linens in front of "personal items."
Now, I'm off to hang my laundry on my clothesline!
I do not know if you have tried cloth diapers before but my SIS had that idea with her first born.
After having to stay up until 3AM every morning to wash them the experiment ended in a few months.
She has had two more children since, both have used the "earth killing" diapers.
saladdin
saladdin - why would she do laundry every night? and why would a load of laundry take until 3am? I throw a load in and go to bed, in the morning switch them to the dryer. I'm not to worried about the diaper washing, my mom did it, my MIL did it (with twins even), and I have many coworkers (professional women) who have done it.
Savvy,
Seriously, do you have kids now?
Last time I checked they use the bathroom multiple times a day. If you put it off day or so it piles up fast. She was very "by the book" mom at the beginning, the cloth diaper, time out corner, non spanking, sleeping in the bed with them until he was ready for college (you get the point). She did it at night trying so as to wait until her son(named after me by the way)was asleep so as to not waste any mommy time.
3 kids later, I could throw one off the roof of the house and she would tell them to "rub dirt on it and get to playin."
Don't take my tone the wrong way. I enjoy your writing.
saladdin