Clothesline Problem Solving...

[JTA Mom]

I want to set up a clothesline. A BIG clothesline. Enough for 5 adults clothing, type of size.Or something that will be able to take a full load of adult clothing. I'm in sunny Cali, lots of heat, I shouldn't be paying to dry my clothes!

Here's the issue. Other than the fence, there is no other piece of wood to stick any clothesline to. The entire house is stucco. I have very little money, and there's no way I can do anything permanent like building my own post & sinking it into the ground with cement. Well, depending on cost, I can build my own post, just not the cement part.

I thought about just going from one fence end to the other, but that is a really LONG swath for a clothesline to go between without any additional support. That and I don't want to put that much stress on the fences. No need to have them fall down. Although, that would be a funny story.

Those drying racks, other than for diapers, are useless. I tried to dry my clothes on it once and there just isn't enough space between the rails to really dry them. And they are not tall enough for pants! Not to mention how few clothes fit on it.

Anyone have any idea how I can set up a clothes line that's not permanent, can dry a huge (or regular) load of clothing at once, and is inexpensive to set up? Am I asking way too much here?

Ami

[mommathea]

Realy the only thing I can think of is an umbrella clothes line. While you do have to dig a whole and cement it, It is VERY easy. 1 small hole, I think it took like 1/3bag of cheep cement, stick the tube holder thingy in, let it sit over night, in the morning put the umbrella part in and away you go. I can get about 2 XL size loads on - the shirts on the inside and pants and skirts/dresses on the outside.
Pretty cheep.

[lifeguard]

Can you just hang the stuff over the fence itself?

[vbactivist]

I haev mine in the corner of my fence - where the fence meets. so not across my entire yard - just a couple (i think 6 actually) rows of rope from one fence to the other. picture a capital a with a lot more lines across. It's not too far, but some of the lines are really short - the first line is only big enough for one towel. But with all the lines, I can fit 3 loads of laundry.

[Oonah]

Originally Posted by JTA Mom

I have very little money, and there's no way I can do anything permanent like building my own post & sinking it into the ground with cement. Well, depending on cost, I can build my own post, just not the cement part.

A friend of mine used gravel instead of cement - slightly less permanent.

[JTA Mom]

Originally Posted by mommathea

Realy the only thing I can think of is an umbrella clothes line. While you do have to dig a whole and cement it, It is VERY easy. 1 small hole, I think it took like 1/3bag of cheep cement, stick the tube holder thingy in, let it sit over night, in the morning put the umbrella part in and away you go. I can get about 2 XL size loads on - the shirts on the inside and pants and skirts/dresses on the outside.
Pretty cheep.

The only problem is that I'm not going to be there very long (think December or March-ish, the latest). Also, I want to be able to take it with me. I'd hate to leave my setup where I am.

Originally Posted by lifeguard

Can you just hang the stuff over the fence itself?

The fence is pretty dirty & rough. Also, I'm not sure the neighbors will like seeing the stuff hanging over on their side. They'll ignore the clothesline, but not clothes creeping over their yard.

Originally Posted by vbactivist

I haev mine in the corner of my fence - where the fence meets. so not across my entire yard - just a couple (i think 6 actually) rows of rope from one fence to the other. picture a capital a with a lot more lines across. It's not too far, but some of the lines are really short - the first line is only big enough for one towel. But with all the lines, I can fit 3 loads of laundry.

Hmmm, now that's ingenious! Did you screw in hooks on the fence to tie the rope on? This might just be what I'll do!

Originally Posted by Oonah

A friend of mine used gravel instead of cement - slightly less permanent.

Hmmm, gravel? Did it hold up well? Or was there some shifting with the heavier loads? Also, did she use the small gravel or is any type ok? If I can use gravel, then I can definitely invest in the umbrella one. I just don't want anything permanent I can't take with me.

Ami

[Rebecca]

To plant the clothesline, you only bury a small amount of PVC or metal pipe into the ground. The umbrella clothesline goes into that hole. You can take it out, fold it up and put it in the garage when you don't want it in your yard, and the only thing you see in the ground is the top of a pipe level with the dirt. When you move, you just buy anohter piece of pipe the right diameter and bury that. Totally easy and portable.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by JTA Mom

Hmmm, now that's ingenious! Did you screw in hooks on the fence to tie the rope on? This might just be what I'll do!

Ami

We actually tied the rope to the top of the fence posts. With more than one line, sometimes, on each post. The lines are pretty close together, but the stuff dries fine. Also, it keeps it out of the middle of the yard - so more room for the kids to run. I personally don't like having the line tied between trees - I have had birds poop on my stuff before

[Purple Sage]

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[JTA Mom]

Originally Posted by Rebecca

To plant the clothesline, you only bury a small amount of PVC or metal pipe into the ground. The umbrella clothesline goes into that hole. You can take it out, fold it up and put it in the garage when you don't want it in your yard, and the only thing you see in the ground is the top of a pipe level with the dirt. When you move, you just buy anohter piece of pipe the right diameter and bury that. Totally easy and portable.

Hmmm, now that might work. I thought there was a specific bottom to the umbrella stand! Is the cement block easy to dig out/remove? I'm sure I can do it if I left the yard like I found it. I just don't want to leave a pipe sticking out of the middle of the yard when I leave. Maybe I could just cut it off & cover it with dirt?

Ami

[mommathea]

Originally Posted by JTA Mom

Hmmm, now that might work. I thought there was a specific bottom to the umbrella stand! Is the cement block easy to dig out/remove? I'm sure I can do it if I left the yard like I found it. I just don't want to leave a pipe sticking out of the middle of the yard when I leave. Maybe I could just cut it off & cover it with dirt?

Ami

you 'plant' the pipe so the top is at ground level. When I take the line out you cannot see where it is. When you move you just take your line out - and none the wiser

[macie]

My clothes have become tightly twisted by the 70 miles an hour wind and

I'm hoping that someone knows a way to solve this problem.

The line is over a small ravine therefore there is no way that

I can reach the line other than from my gallery.  I don't want to destroy the line.

I hope someone has an answer to this problem.

[Lisoula]

I have an umbrella clothesline and never had it placed in cement.  I just dug a hole, put the plastic-tubey thingy in the ground flush with the grass, and packed the dirt around it.  Piece of cake, and I can hang 4 loads at a time!