Monday, May 18, 2009

Creative laundry line

Now that we are in a neighborhood that won't let us have a traditional laundry line out in the yard, I have had to get a little creative with our clothes drying. Missing my old laundry line when we lived in the country (HERE). In my ever striving desire to go green, I am coming up with ways to not run the dryer and still get my laundry dry.

After researching some ideas online, I found this inspiration for indoor laundry line (HERE). And it inspired me to rig up a way to dry big towels and sheets in the basement.It takes a little longer, but with the windows open, it works pretty well. And I needed something for all those big items like sheets and quilts.

If I can get my act together and get a load washed each day, I can get them on these portable racks and put them up on my deck. I figured this will be still be obeying the rules for the HOA and it still accomplishes my goal of living green and living thrifty.
These are pretty flimsy, but for now this is the best idea I can come up with. The wind and the sun really help the clothes dry quickly. And an added benefit, I can rush the racks inside when it starts to rain.I did dry a whole load inside in the family room the other day. It worked pretty well to dry them inside. My sister, drys all her clothes inside all year with out the use of a dryer, so I know it can be done. My other ideas were to string a line in the garage. Again, getting creative trying to abide by the HOAs.


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Thanks to Stephanie K for the info about Project Laundry List. Check it out HERE if you want to continue the right to dry your clothes outside and use the free sun and wind that God gave us.

11 comments:

Andrea said...

A+ for creativity! I line dried everything when I was in Nepal. Jeans were the hardest things to get dry!

DebiH. said...

Ikea has a foldable laundry rack that looks like it would easily dry a full load of laundry. I am planning to get one for my back patio but haven't made it down there yet. It's only $19.99. You can see it on the website under the laundry-drying category. That would seem easy to put up and down in your garage.

Elle J said...

I agree, indoor line drying can be done even in a cold state!! I inside line dry all my clothes(and some of the clothes of my daughter). The guys in our house get the dryer. But it seems to save my clothes from looking worn out or shrinking, and so I don't have to replace as quickly.

I love the smell of outdoor line dried clothing.

A Girl, her God, and a Gift! said...

Andy would LOVE your photos. He's the king of the indoor drying racks. He dries all of his shirts and pants on the racks or hanging up on hangers all over the place. Doesn't want them to shrink or fade in the dryer. We have a HUGE rack that came from Lancaster PA. It's great, sturdy, and fits tons of stuff. Next time you visit the Northeast, you should try to get one.

steffany said...

Way to go for finding ways to work with in your HOA to still maintain your wonderful GREENESS

Tim and Susan said...

I have to admit I love a dryer though...especially when it is cold and rainy. It is a treat and convinient to toss stuff in the dryer and have a lot of stuff done so quickly.

I am drying stuff outside now though since it is so hot and sunny. I read somewhere that you can save like $300 a year not using the dryer. Also, it DOES keep stuff from shrinking...Hey, your laundry rack looks a little like ones we sometimes use in Japan.

Chuck Peters said...

I love your ingenuity! Where there's a will.. there's a way!

K-Sue said...

When my dryer was not working (air, yes; heat, no) I became adept at saying, "Sunshine! Better run a load or two!" I'd toss a dry towel or 2 in with a load to fluff in the dryer, then remove and hang on rack outside or under the ceiling fan. That rack has been with me since college. That's a lotta years.

Annie said...

I have the hardest time thinking of you living in a place that would have rules against hanging out wash!

My heavens!

I'm glad you got around it! (he-he)

Who would deny themselves the feel and smell of sheets that hung out on the line? Has to be people without souls.

Anonymous said...

You may want to check what your state law says. Many states are enacting laws prohibiting HOA's and municipalities from not allowing clotheslines. Florida has such a law and some states are following suit. You may want to check or get a group together to start a Project Laundry List in your area.

Tim and Susan said...

Happy Birthday Blogger Sister. Love you and hope the yummy package arrives on time...no sharing, just for you!!! (you can hide it)