September 25, 2008
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Frugal Friday – Winter Clothesline
Packing and unpacking have kind of been put on hold this week. I’ve been working on a ‘surprise’ for my DIL’s baby shower this weekend. Hopefully it will be finished tonight. My housework has gotten behind a bit and there are still a lot of boxes I need to go through but the anticipation of seeing the joy on her face will be worth it all. Housework is very faithful! Have you ever noticed that? It faithfully waits for you no matter how long you take.
I did find some time to hang my ‘winter clothesline’. Actually, it will be a summer & winter clothesline. When we moved to the city my hubbins asked that I not put a tacky clothesline in the backyard. Hump! Tacky? I guess I’m a true country girl (or just an okie at heart) because I love to see a clothesline with laundry hanging on it. But, I deferred to my sweetie pie and asked if I could hang one in the garage instead and one discreetly hung high at the top of our patio and he agreed.
Line drying my clothes is one area that I can see a noticeable difference in my electric bill.
I bought a metal chain to hang inside my garage. I saw the chain used on Becky’s website and liked the idea
because you can use clothes hangers in each loop so all your clothes don’t slide into the middle of the line.
I used a large screw-in-hook on both sides of the garage to attach the chain making sure I screwed it into a stud. (I love my Studfinder).
I also hung my ‘Amish sock hanger thingy bob’ on the chain.
I can easily hang a ton of socks, wash clothes and napkins on it without taking up a bunch of room on the clothesline. (See all the STUFF I still need to sort through behind the clothes? It’s going to take a few more months to assign everything a place. I already have a few more piles to take to the Goodwill).
My husband did allow me to hang a ‘subtle’ line between two pillars on our back porch. It’s up high next to the roof so it’s not noticeable. I hung some sheets on it today and he didn’t mind. They were dry in less than an hour.
You can find more Frugal Tips at Biblical Womanhood.
Comments (9)
i love the idea of the chain for a clothesline. Makes perfect sense. Can you post a close-up of the sock hanger or instructions for how to make one? That also looks like a great idea for saving electricity this winter. i have a couple of free-standing clothes racks that i put up in the house or on the porches when i can’t use the outside line. Thanks for your helpful hints.
I used to have a sock hanger for baby diapers years ago – I LOVED it! Where did you buy the white chain? How are you liking your new neighborhood?
It looks great. I like your white chain. Have a great day.
Becky
I also love seeing clothes drying on a line, but our yard is too steep for it to be practical for me. We have a screened porch on the back of our house, and I installed a retractable line out there. I use it constantly, but when we have company I can retract the line and it doesn’t seem obvious at all. So much better for many of our clothes to air dry them….they retain color much longer, I think. Sometimes I’ll fluff them in the dryer for about 10 minutes to shake out the wrinkles….but I hope to not lose the fresh-air smell….the BEST thing about drying clothes outside! Thanks for your consistent offerings of frugal tips….and hope the baby shower is lovely. Bet your surprise will be very special! Be sure and post a picture.
Thanks for this. I never thought of using a chain for clothesline. Great tip!
Love the idea! I also like to see clothes blowing on a line. Thanks for the post!
Oooooh, a chain. Very good idea. I have a large laundry room that a indoor clothes line would be perfect for.
Good idea. You have inspired me as of late to get rid of some “stuff!” I worked all yesterday cleaning out drawers in my bedroom and vanity area. I am certain I won’t miss the old fingernail polish and old lipsticks, etc. It wasn’t so hard after all! I still have a long way to go. I like the idea of pairing an existing habit with a new one. Thanks for the tips.
I miss having a clothesline………used one for so many years. I’ll have to look for a retractable one. We have plenty of yard, but my husband doesn’t want anything more that he has to mow around or under. Will we get a picture of the surprise when it’s no longer a surprise?