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Tami
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 2:43pm | IP Logged
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I'm looking for ways to cut our electricity usage (and bill) since our rates went up 50% July 1.  Our dryer is a gas one, but still....
One thing I'd like to consider is drying clothes outside. And on a 90+ degree day like today (and a few more to follow) it's easy to consider.  We can't put up a line, not even a retractable one, so I'm wondering about the feasibility of free-standing racks.
Anyone with experience with these, for regular clothing? Can I use clothes pins to keep the clothes from blowing off?
I found this 3-tiered rack at Target, but wonder if it will tip from the weight.
OH, and anything I'm likely to buy will most likely be stored, folded, on the deck, up against the house. There's just no place at all for such storage on the 1st floor, and if I have to travel the steps to bring it up from the basement every couple of days, it's not going to happen.
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
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Tami -
We have a rack similar to the Target one that we use in the laundry room. Ours is wooden and the topmost part is a flat rack made out of four dowels, so that something could be hung over each one. To me that design seems more stable than the one you showed, which seems to have an open top. Since mine is wooden, I wouldn't leave it outdoors. Occaisionally we use it outdoors, but bring it back inside when the clothes on it have dried. Typically, my 20 yo dd dries several pairs of jeans on it along with pool towels from various family members. It remains stable and is sturdy enough to support that much weight, which I think is fairly heavy. I think I got it at an old-timey hardware store (like a Tru-Value store).
Hope this helps.
Peace,
Nancy
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 4:37pm | IP Logged
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I have a wooden one like Nancy - .50 at a garage sale. As long as the heavier items are on the bottom, it is very stable. I store it on top of the dryer - in case I forget that I should use it...
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Tami
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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Nancy - yours sounds more like this or this one
I can see what you mean about the top not being open. I hadn't realized that when I first looked.
I'll check around for a hardware-type of store. That makes a lot of sense!
Thanks, Nancy!
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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Tami
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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OH, Paula, great find! And great idea! I hadn't thought to look there!
Thanks!
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
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Tami -
Yep. Mine looks like the first one you linked to. If that one is made out of plastic or something other than wood, I would think you could leave it outside. I really like Paula's idea of putting it on top of the dryer, but that might mean I would need to find somewhere else to put the socks looking for their mates.. 
Peace,
Nancy
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helene
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 8:57pm | IP Logged
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I was never able to get a drying rack to work out on our deck because the wind always tipped it over. We live in a windy area, though. It worked great inside in our basement.
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Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
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chicken lady
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 9:29pm | IP Logged
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HAve you considered lines in your basement. Open windows you have a breeze????? Just a thought!
I have a wooden rack in the basement and lines outside...I love hanging clothes out for 3 seasons then in the winter hang them in the basement, I only occasionally use our dryer.
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Tami
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| Posted: July 08 2007 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
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Nancy, it says chrome and white - so I'm assuming not wood.
And you know, Paula, that's a great idea to store it on top of the machines, if, like Nancy, I can keep them clear! The machines sit behind bi-fold doors in the kitchen/family room, and I usually throw any stray clothing (can you say boys+socks!  ) on top and shut the doors!! It gives the room an instant face-lift! 
Molly, I wish I could put lines in the basement, but it's just not feasible. I really wish I could have lines outside.  Grateful to have a home, though.... 
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Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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MarieC
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| Posted: July 09 2007 at 9:39pm | IP Logged
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I use a drying rack outside during the warmer months and move it down to the basement in the cooler. I used to use the wooden collapsible ones but they kept falling apart.
I recently bought one (actually 3!) at Target. I couldn't find a picture of them online but at the Target here they sell for $5/ea. They are made of metal tubes and collapse down (like the wooden ones) but also get narrower for storage (the "dowels" kind of telescope out). They also come with a mesh piece that velcros across the top that you can use to dry something flat.
I haven't had any problems with tipping and they are strong enough to support a 25# 14 month old doing chin ups on them!
Good luck!
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Topic: Outdoor drying racks?
