As a newlywed--and later a new mother, I frequently hung out our wash to dry - including cloth diapers! It's been a long time since I've had a clothesline. A messy mulberry tree was my excuse not to have a clothesline at THIS house, but we had it removed recently. So yesterday, I bought the necessary supplies...and this morning I joined the growing numbers of others who are drying clothes the "natural" way. I have seen several photos of white sheets billowing in the breeze* and wished
I had white sheets, too. Actually, these rust red ones are quite ancient! I may treat myself to some new ones. Sheets are a major purchase these days, so I'll do a little research before buying! Any advice?
Meanwhile, if you've posted a picture of your clothesline, I'd be thrilled if you'd leave your link in the comment section. I think it would be fun to compile a few!
I'm going to work at being a little more artistic in my
hanging style in the future. Today, I just am praying for a little sunshine to break through the overcast sky.
I hung my husband's shirts inside-out so they wouldn't fade. I'm hoping they'll dry without major wrinkles.
*
Mrs. Mac has one of the
billowing white sheets photos...
Do you have any tips about hanging out clothes to share with me?
I want one...but we live in the "woods"....so I can't really have a clothes line. I just remember my Mom ALWAYS hung our clothes out to dry..and would complain of the little "fly specks" that would get on them. I still remember the clothes pin holder that hung over the line. Sweet memories!!
ReplyDeleteI also started hanging out our clothes
ReplyDeletejust a few months ago and I love it. The
fresh fragrance can't be beat. It's so
nice to sleep on linens that have been
dried in fresh air and sunshine.
I like to drape our shirts over plastic
hangers then pin the hanger to the line.
I find hanging by the hem tends to cause
stretching. Hanging inside out is a good
idea though. Enjoy your line!
No, I don't have a clothesline, but I do have red sheets like yours!! I love the smell of sun-dried clothes. One of my earliest memories is that of holding the clothespin bag and handing them to Mama as she hung our clothes out to dry - long lines of them! In order to keep the lines from sagging under the weight, Daddy cut a pole with a forked end from a slender tree in the woods and Mama used it to prop up the line. I'm telling my age and verifying my status as a real country girl, but I also remember black wash pots and lye soap!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I'll probably try hanging those shirts on hangers next time - as you suggested! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGlenda, I actually bought a rod specially designed to hold up the line should it sag. It cost under $6. (This particular line said it would support 50 pounds. I wasn't sure how heavy wet sheets were....but I didn't have to use the pole this time.) I THOUGHT about finding a limb but don't have a woods nearby...I love that story/memory of your father.
ReplyDeleteDeb, What great memories. It wasn't "woods" for me--just the pesky mulberry tree and the mess it generated!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about hanging out clothes in a long time. Some things I think I have to use a dryer--like permanent press--as I don't like to iron!
ReplyDeleteDonna, I'm experimenting with Gary's shirts. I don't mind ironing, but heating up an iron might cost the same amount as running the dryer (I'm not sure).
ReplyDeleteI hung clothes for years even though I had a dryer. Just like the smell of sunshine on clothes. we moved to the country and I did not have a clothes line. Might put one up.
ReplyDeleteI am even washing dishes by hand even though I have a dish washer. Guess we might all be conserving soon if not now.
I love hanging sheets out to dry. They smell so good that first night on the bed. I hung out my sheets to dry whenever possible until I married Bob. We moved to a together home in another part of the city. Can you believe that there is an ordinance against having an outdoor clothesline? So sad.
ReplyDeleteAh there IS something so charming about hanging clothing to dry. I also do it because we don't have a dryer. At first I thought it would be such a bother but it isn't, it's rather nice.:)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lovely, colorful, artistic clothesline Rebecca!:)
Brenda, Someone ELSE mentioned a similar ordinance on another blog! I guess there are SOME good things about living in an unincorporated village!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clothesline, but I remember very well, my mother hanging clothes out to dry. I remember her taking a rag down the clotheslines to clean them before hanging the clothes and her clothes pin bag!
ReplyDeleteI also remember that I liked to help her both hang and bring the clothes in.
Pat, I have similar memories! (And that reminds me to put a rag into my clothespin basket!)
ReplyDeleteIf anyone cares--the shirts came out just fine! No ironing will be necessary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to wipe the clothesline off. I am so excited about how WHITE the whites get...and I love the sheets in particular after they've been sun-dried. My mom thinks I'm crazy for doing this since it is by choice, whereas she had to do it out of necessity. But she was sweet enough to find my a clothespin bag down in Amish country last week since I couldn't locate one where I live! Thanks also for the tip here about turning the colored shirts inside out to prevent sun-bleaching. Here's a link to my post about doing it the old fashioned way!
ReplyDeletehttp://mistressofmydomain.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-own-little-rebellion.html
Hi sweetie! Anyway we throw our clothes in the dryer for a bit after we wash them and before we hang them on the line. It helps with wrinkles. Wish we could put me in the dryer. heehee. The we hang them out and before we fold them we put them back in the dryer for 2 or 3 more minutes. It works really great! Try it.
ReplyDeleteI hang our clothes out all spring, summer and fall. Winter if it permits.
Hugs! Linda
I've always wanted a clothesline; never had a great year for one. It's just always seemed a bit poetic to me...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers. And I think you'd look great with a tattoo. Might join you on that one.
peace~elaine
Nothing beats clothes, especially sheets, dried on the line! That crispness in the sheets and that fresh breeze scent send me off to dream land and I sleep like a baby!
ReplyDeleteSomewhere on my blog, a long time ago, I did a post with a poem about The Clothesline! Very Cute!
Tips: I never hang jeans, and rarely towels, on the line. The end up too stiff and scratcy/wrinkly for my liking.
And though it's a no-no, I leave some things on the line overnight because the morning dew seems to make the clothes softer.
Enjoy your clothesline! :~D
... there's lots of billowing clothes and sheets all over town now. We (in the USA) are so backwards about having restrictions to using a clothesline .. in other parts of the world people laugh at how silly that idea is. I put my towels in the dryer for a few minutes then hang them out. I don't know what's up with the newer towels at the store ... but they are TOO soft and don't dry you off very well after a bath. We have several inside lines and racks for use in the winter .. but mainly use the dryer when it's freezing cold outside.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you got your clothes line, Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteHappy Hanging!