Do you like to hang your laundry out for drying? Are you planning to put up a clothesline this spring or summer to save energy? Here are some tips I've come across that may be helpful!
There's nothing like the smell of laundry that has dried in the fresh air. The average load of wash uses about 35 feet of line and your clothesline should accommodate at least that. Unless the height of a pulley-style line is significant, the clothesline shouldn't be a lot longer than that, as the sag factor increases with length.
A load of wet laundry weighs about 15 to 18 pounds if it's spin dried. It will shed about a third of that weight as it dries, and though this may not seem like much weight, it won't take long for your new clothesline to get stretched out a bit. By leaving a little "tail" when you tie your knot for either style of clothesline, you'll be able to undo it, pull the line tight, and retie it as often as you need to.
There are three common clothesline types to choose from:
Basic plastic clothesline has the advantage of being waterproof and cleanable (you can wipe off the inevitable mildew). With wire and fiber reinforcement, it is stretch-resistant and it's cheap. You can usually find a 100-foot roll for less than $4. However, it is thin, which means that it will be harder for you to grip, and the clothespin is not going to hold as tightly as on a thicker line.
Multifilament polypropylene (nylon) is tempting because it is lightweight, water- and mildew-resistant, and strong. However, its slippery texture deters a firm clothespin grip, and it doesn't tie well.
My top choice is a basic cotton clothesline. It's about the same price as nylon, which is about $7 to $8 per 100 feet. In theory, it is weaker, but unless you're hanging out pots and pans to dry, it should hold up fine.
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