6 Important Clothesline Questions to Ponder
Hanging up your clothes to dry is an eco-friendly act worth doing more often – here's how to make the job easier
Where to locate the clothesline is a common design dilemma that I’m often asked to solve for clients. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost 60 per cent of Australians own clothes dryers, but only about a fifth of homes use them more than once a week. This suggests that most of us prefer to hang our washing out to air dry at least some of the time. There are practical and aesthetic considerations when locating the best place for your clothesline, and it pays to get it right the first time around.
1. Where do I put it?
Ease of access is important because if it is unpleasant or difficult to get to, you probably won’t bother. Locate your clothesline as close to the washing machine as possible so you don’t have to lug heavy loads of wet laundry across the garden.
Ease of access is important because if it is unpleasant or difficult to get to, you probably won’t bother. Locate your clothesline as close to the washing machine as possible so you don’t have to lug heavy loads of wet laundry across the garden.
2. How much breeze do I need?
Seek out a breezy spot that catches the morning sun but not the hot afternoon western sun, which will help save your dark clothes from fading. Covers are available to go over a fold-down clotheslines, which can protect your clothes from rain and bird droppings.
Seek out a breezy spot that catches the morning sun but not the hot afternoon western sun, which will help save your dark clothes from fading. Covers are available to go over a fold-down clotheslines, which can protect your clothes from rain and bird droppings.
3. What about privacy?
Clotheslines are best tucked out of sight but if that is not an option, choose a retractable or fold-down model that can be hidden away when the space is required for other activities.
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Clotheslines are best tucked out of sight but if that is not an option, choose a retractable or fold-down model that can be hidden away when the space is required for other activities.
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4. What type of ground surface is best?
Consider the ground surface under the clothesline. Many of us nip out quickly to a hang a load before work and may be in heels or bare feet, so a solid, clean surface is ideal. I often see pebbles under the line but I would choose grass over gravel any day.
Consider the ground surface under the clothesline. Many of us nip out quickly to a hang a load before work and may be in heels or bare feet, so a solid, clean surface is ideal. I often see pebbles under the line but I would choose grass over gravel any day.
5. Which clothesline do I need?
Choosing the right clothesline for your needs is the easy part. There are varied and flexible options available for every space. Retractable models are perfect for small gardens because they tuck away easily. The fold-down variety is also very popular, but you will need to mount the bracket on a wall or fence.
Choosing the right clothesline for your needs is the easy part. There are varied and flexible options available for every space. Retractable models are perfect for small gardens because they tuck away easily. The fold-down variety is also very popular, but you will need to mount the bracket on a wall or fence.
For the traditionalist who enjoys looking at sheets flapping in the wind, the new and improved Hills Hoist is still available for purchase, and there are plenty of lookalikes now on the market.
For homes with small or no gardens, freestanding drying racks are often the way to go.
6. Does it need to be outside?While an outdoor clothesline is obviously going to be more effective, having one in your laundry can be a good option, particularly for rainy days. Think you don’t have room for a clothesline in your laundry? Look up! You may well be able to make use of the space above your head.
This clothesline by Australian company Versaline relies on a pulley system to manoeuvre it into place. Others can be secured directly to the ceiling.
YOUR SAY
How do you like to hang your clothes up to dry? Tell us in the Comments section.
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This clothesline by Australian company Versaline relies on a pulley system to manoeuvre it into place. Others can be secured directly to the ceiling.
YOUR SAY
How do you like to hang your clothes up to dry? Tell us in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more clever laundry designs
While the iconic Hills Hoist is listed as a National Treasure by the National Library of Australia, I think it’s fair to say that we have moved on from the clothesline being a primary feature of the suburban backyard. Nostalgia aside, most people don’t want to see your undies blowing in the wind.