May 12, 2009 6:33 PM
So long dryer, hello clothesline!
Isn't this lovely?!?
Remember last year, I wrote about the Clothesline Wars?
I don't know about you, but nothing makes me more determined to do something than when someone says I can't (which is How Barbara Got Her Gun, remember?).
Well, I did buy my clothesline and clothespins, but our move, Tripp's knee surgery debacle and the winter got in the way of making it a reality. And let me tell you, after moving I desperately needed to make this change: the house we're renting has an electric dryer and I know it's costing us a fortune to dry eight people's clothes each week (10 during the summer).
When I came home from Virginia Beach on Mother's Day, lo and behold! Tripp had dug a hole, poured cement and put up my line.
While I agree with the Vatican that the washing machine has been the most liberating advance for woman (not the Pill), I am so ready to kiss my dryer goodbye.
Ready to save money, to enjoy the Zen-like rhythm of hanging clothes (good time to talk to God, too) and to revel in the unique smell of clothes dried on the line.
In case anyone cares to join me, here is where I got my equipment:
And I'm guessing with the money saved on electricity and chemical-laden softener sheets, it will pay for itself in less than a week. The rest is pure savings.
Going green, saving green. Anyone in this with me?
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Comments
I really love the smell of fresh laundry that has dried on a line outside.
And, there is something domestic and wonderful--even spiritual--about hanging clothes outside on a line, just like standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes together with a friend/child or two.
When I was growing up, we had four long clothes lines and when they were loaded with bed linens, I loved to walk among them, especially when they were dry. Gosh!, they smelled wonderful.
BUT, how does "one" hang their laundry outside to dry if several family members have moderate to severe seasonal allergies and "one" lives where there are big huge wonderful trees dripping pollen all around?
Posted by: von | May 12, 2009 9:10 PM
Hi Barbara,
I'm new to your blog, love your books. Had to comment on the clothes line. I put one up this year for the first time, with a lower line that my kids can reach (ages 4 and 2) and they love putting out the laundry and taking it down. So far, it is not too much of a burden and I love how my clothes smell off the line. I hope others start it too ! Thanks for all your work/thoughts, postings, etc. Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 12, 2009 11:54 PM
I'm with you! Not that I have a choice. I have no dryer - like most people in Japan! I have been bracing myself for rainy season coming up in June, and having clothes hanging all over the house. Thanks for reminding me of all the good things about hanging clothes, and not using a dryer.
Posted by: Sue | May 13, 2009 6:43 AM
We have a clothesline, too. LOVE IT! The kids and I hang the clothes out together. Adam says "we're letting God do the dryin'!"
Not only is it CHEAPER, but overall it's better for your clothes. No lint or fiber tearing off of your clothing from the heat.
After I hang my towels, I spray them with a lil fabric softner in a spray bottle and let the sun bake it in. Then to soften mine (for my daughter who doesn't like the scratchiness), I pop her sheets in the dryer for 5 minutes.
Posted by: Suzanne Balvanz | May 13, 2009 6:49 AM
I am semi-green. I dry many things out on my deck in the summer and sunny winter days. But I don't do it all. And I have to be careful of bird poop!
I have lots of memories of playing with the blowing sheets as my mother was hanging and taking down laundry.
Posted by: Jane | May 13, 2009 6:57 AM
Von, that is my exact question. Although our HOA would NEVER allow us to have a clothesline, I assume that even if it was an option it wouldn't work because of my son who is severly allergic pollens, trees, grasses & molds. I have visions of all those spores attaching to his clothes and him having a sneeze-fest all day!
Posted by: Margaret | May 13, 2009 7:18 AM
Oh, I have clothesline envy!!
I miss my clothesline. This time we are in an HOA controlled development, and while I could pop up a line in a somewhat hidden area, and prepare for a fight, we are surrounded by construction, my clothes would come in worse than they went out!
My favorite memories of my grandmother were of us together on the clothesline stand hanging out her pristine sheets. It was on that step I learned to properly fold fitted sheets as a kid.
Congratulations on your line.
Posted by: kelly | May 13, 2009 8:03 AM
I have used a clothes line for years and years. My husband has allergies, but I have found that if I give them a big shake as I take them down I lose most of the pollen. When the pollen is really bad here I will put his clothes underneath mine, it takes longer to dry, but my clothes will catch the pollen and leave his clean.
Posted by: Kellie | May 13, 2009 9:52 AM
I'm a big fan too! The other day I got five loads washed, line dried and folded before dinner. (Didn't get them put away until the next day...) We live in Europe (and used to live in Japan) where you're almost looked down upon if you DON'T use the line! I keep a medium sized fold-able rack inside too for days when it's yucky outside so I pretty much only have to use the dryer for "emergencies." Saves $$ for more exciting things than electricity bills. :)
Posted by: Louise | May 13, 2009 11:51 AM
That's a nice, compact design.Happy Mother's Day! Still, it's too big for our tiny patch of a yard. Between the bus smog and the green stuff falling from our tree, it's just not an option. I'll have to admire yours!
Posted by: Marian | May 13, 2009 12:44 PM
I started line drying late last summer thanks to your original post! I even wrote about it.
Anyway, a heavy snowstorm destroyed our umbrella-style laundry lines. The metal pole bent 90 degrees! We were really sad.
It hasn't been replaced yet. We need to save money for another opportunity to save money.
Posted by: gretchen from lifenut | May 13, 2009 1:49 PM
oh how I wish I had a back yard!! i would set one up right away! sadly we are still apartment living. I do have a drying rack for our diapers, but our space is to small to dry everything. :( something to look forward to for sure!
Posted by: Momma | May 13, 2009 4:12 PM
I have started to use a clothes line this year, as well. I have highly enjoyed the experience - I love the smell of my sheets after they have dried in the sunshine outside! Thanks for blogging about it - hopefully others will catch on.
PS I am just about done with your book The Mommy Manual. It has been fantastic. I am especially enjoying the chapter on "The Keys to Family Legacy".
Posted by: Cindy | May 13, 2009 9:40 PM
I have fond memories of sleeping in freshly sun-dried sheets as a child. They smelled so good! Unfortunately now we all have allergies, and have lived in a series of HOA communities for years. I do use indoor drying racks for delicate items in our ridiculously oversized master bathroom (versus our teeny tiny laundry room!).
Posted by: Donica | May 14, 2009 8:25 AM
nothing in this world makes me happier than my outdoor clothesline. it's the reason we bought this house. :)
Posted by: Ruth | May 14, 2009 8:30 PM
WooHoo!!!! I'm in a neighborhood in Colorado that the HOA covenants say no lines. BUT, thanks to you, I just read up on the new law. YES!!!! I'll be hanging a line as soon as the construction zone that is our backyard currently is done! THANK YOU for sharing this!!
Posted by: Kimberly | May 15, 2009 8:46 PM
In response to covenants in Colorado - I have a friend here in Australia who resided in Colorado for a few years and she was just recently telling me of the fact that one could NOT have a clothesline in one's yard in her neighbourhood! I was astounded. How very odd!
Ahhhh - I agree with the comments made about the laundry smelling wonderful - I have a major laundry fetish!
Tracy (Australia)
Posted by: Tracy (Australia) | July 5, 2009 4:04 AM
