Do you hang your laundry on a clothesline?
In our current house, we don’t have the space for a clothesline. I long for one during the spring and summer months though.
My mama occasionally hung our clothes and sheets on the line to dry in our backyard. I can easily still smell that clean, fresh scent in my mind’s eye.
A clothesline quickly brings to mind a more simple, relaxed time.
When mamas used clotheslines exclusively, there was no saying, “Hurry up! We’re going to be late.” or “I’ve sent you a text message and an email. Why haven’t you gotten back to me yet?”
Hanging out the wash gave women an opportunity to check on each other. And it gave little people an opportunity to run off some energy in the evenings when getting the laundry off the line.
So why have we gotten away from such simplicity?
Too much work to hang it outside? No space outside to have a clothesline?
Or worse yet: the Homeowner’s Association won’t allow it?
Laundry doesn’t have to be hard. It doesn’t have to be mundane.
It can be the most rewarding task you complete today – clothesline or not.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE my clothesline! Too bad we only have a few months here when we can use it! And honestly, I don’t use it as much as I used to, or as much as I want to…life is always too rushed for the simple things like hanging out a load of laundry.
I do have a line in my basement where I hang all of the stuff that can’t be dried…but it’s just not the same.
Hey Lori
Thanks for stopping by!
I agree – indoors is just not the same!
We live in the desert which presents it’s own challenges. While laundry is dry in a snap, you have to keep an eye on it or the sun will bleach the colors. Using it can sure cut the electricity bill though. I’m wondering if anyone has found a way to hang towels on the clothesline and not have them come out stiff as boards.
Twitter: MamaLaundry
March 7, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Hmmm… I’ve only lived in the southeast, but I can definitely see how the desert would present it’s own challenges.
I’ll ask my readers about the towels. My experience has only been stiff as boards too.
Thanks!
-Lauren
Twitter: weekendcowgirl
February 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm
I just want a vintage looking clothes line in the farm yard. I just think they look cute! Cowboy think it would be trouble to mow around…bummer.
Weekend Cowgirl´s last [type] ..Real 50s Cowboy
We just moved and I’ve been considering a retractable line across our huge pack patio. I think I might use it more than I expect. Here in Phoenix, clothes would likely dry in minutes!
Twitter: MamaLaundry
May 18, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Oh you’d love it! And it wouldn’t be tough to install.
Thanks for commenting
-Lauren
Twitter: lindseycowen
March 21, 2012 at 9:14 am
I know I’m super late to comment on this post, but I’m getting back in the habit of drying my clothes on the line, so I wanted to check out your archives. One of the best things that I have picked up is a compact clothesline that essentially looks like an umbrella turned inside out with over 100 meters of clothesline packed into a space of about 4′ x 4′. It’s really great and helpful for our tiny yard. Just a little something that I picked up from my friends in the UK who don’t own dryers.
Lindsey Cowen´s last [type] ..One year.
Twitter: MamaLaundry
March 22, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Lindsey, thanks for sharing that clothesline idea! I’ve seen that style and wondered if they were effective.
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