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teachingmyown
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 12:09pm | IP Logged
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I was really looking forward to the loveliness of clotheslines to see how others are doing it.
I have some questions. I do like to hang clothes, but have never had a lot of success with my clotheslines. I have tried the kind that attaches to two points and is retractable, but it was never tight enough. What I have right now is two lengths of clothesline tied between two trees. It still sags horribly, so that any adult clothes end up touching the ground even though it starts out above my head. I have tried re-tightening it, but it always ends up the same. Is there a certain way to tie it that keeps the tension?
What I really wanted was one of those clotheslines that have the pole in the middle and several shorter lines on a steel frame. Looks kind of like a big umbrella.
What works for those of you who always hang your clothes?
Oh, and another problem, I have tiny little ants crawling all over the clothesline! What could they be attracted to and how do I get rid of them?! Nothing like little ants all over your fresh clean clothes! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaD
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 12:19pm | IP Logged
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Molly,
These clotheline props might be what you need. If your lines are really long, and your clothes are heavy, things will sag no matter how tight you get your lines. I have the permanent T-post clothesline, and while it is not in the least bit lovely, the lines are the perfect length even with men's jeans hanging on them.
My guess about the ants is that they are coming from the trees and attracted to the wet clothes. If there was some way you could hang a little cup with 1 part boric acid, 1 part sugar and 1 part water in it, at the ends of the line, that would take care of the ants. You would need to be sure that no pets or kids could reach it, though.
ETA: I use a taut line hitch on my clothesline. It is easy to tighten, and doesn't loosen on its own.
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Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 12:34pm | IP Logged
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Molly -
I second the suggestion that you need a clothesline prop or two. The problems I have had with the umbrella style clotheslines (what we always called a 'clothes tree') is that some of the wet clothes get hung to the inside and the air doesn't circulate through them too well. They get blocked by the outer layers of clothes and don't dry so quickly.And it you need to take down something that is hung to the inside, you wind up batting your way through all the other clean clothes, which is a pain. Also, each length of line is fairly short because they only run from one arm of the umbrella to the next arm. This makes it tough to hang sheets or anything else that might be pretty long.
Okay, someone else might have better experience with the umbrella style dryers, but I definitely prefer regular lines with a prop. 
Peace,
Nancy
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Erin
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Nancy
The solution to clothes not drying in the middle is hanging according to a 'plan' 
I hang jeans on the outer line and adults and all children's clothes over size 10, on the next line go the under size 10s and on the third line hand underwear, socks and hankies.
Molly
Here in Australia we have the Hills Hoist which is a wonderful story of Australian ingenuity 
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 4:24pm | IP Logged
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Ah-Ha, Erin! Brilliant!
Peace,
Nancy
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chicken lady
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| Posted: May 31 2007 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
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Modern clothes line rope is very weak. Order stronger rope from lehmans, or my dh hung a dog run for me that is much stronger and does not sag.
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lilac hill
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| Posted: June 01 2007 at 5:05am | IP Logged
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I have used a pulley style clothes line, outside my kitchen window, a rope between the garage and apartment, an umbrella style, a line between a few old trees (very antsy) and now have T posts concreted in the ground with 4 lines. We use plastic coate cable to prevent stretching so I do not need support poles anymore. With the cable I miss the feel of the rope and non-sprinig type clothespins are harder to use, but there is no stretching.
When I have alot of laundry that will crowd the lines I have to pay more attention to the order in which I do my loads. I generally start with the heaviest stuff so it is on the lines longer.
Opening the top of the pants so they catch the wind helps dry them faster, especially the jeans;I do like to hang dressier pants from the bottom so I have less ironing. I also hang shirts and blouses from the bottom so they catch the breeze too.
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Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: May 29 2008 at 8:38pm | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
Oh, and another problem, I have tiny little ants crawling all over the clothesline! What could they be attracted to and how do I get rid of them?! Nothing like little ants all over your fresh clean clothes! |
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Well, right on schedule, the ants are back! They are literally swarming today, but only on one of my two lines, thankfully.
Lisa, I worry about using any poison that might end up on the clothes, albeit in trace amounts. I was wondering if there was something natural that would repel them, instead?
I can't remember if I solved the problem or just dealt with it last summer.
Any ideas?
On a good note, the support poles have worked wonderfully! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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juststartn
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| Posted: May 29 2008 at 10:15pm | IP Logged
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I have one of the umbrella types. I am going to want another one in another year or so (this first one came with the house--otherwise, I would likely have had a really long one, with the traditional t-posts, put in).
I rather like it. I can stand in one place, and rotate the thing (my eyes are getting more and more light sensitive these days). I hang the dd's things on one side (undies in the middle), boys things on another, DHs and mine on a third, and the misc stuff (sheets, towels, dishtowels, washcloths) on the fourth.
Living in OK, I have had enough wind to get things dry in about an hour, give or take. Sunny days, less, cloudy (or less windy days), longer. So I can do a good bit of clothes drying in a day.
But I'll still want another stand in a few years, when the boys get bigger, with all of the clothes that they will destroy in a day...lol.
Rachel
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Chari
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| Posted: May 29 2008 at 11:57pm | IP Logged
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I have not had a clothesline for about three years, due to one of my T frames falling over. AND, WHEN i HAD THAT ONE, MY NEW DOGS TRIED TO CHEW THE CLOTHES (oops, the caps came on  )....they are doing better now, the dogs.......so I get a new one.......my husband and sons were out digging holes in the ground today under the rainy sky, getting ready to pour cement this weekend.
Anyway.......not really necessary info......just chatting 
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Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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chicken lady
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 8:10am | IP Logged
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teachingmyown wrote:
I was wondering if there was something natural that would repel them, instead?
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Mint, plant mint around your lines and home, mint is a natural repellant for ants. Basil does wonders for flys and ants as well. They are so aromatic they repel the little friends. You may want to container plant that mint, it can be quite invasive.
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mathmama
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 8:53am | IP Logged
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I got one of the umbrella ones for Mother's Day. I LOVE it! I am always looking around for more laundry to do so I can go out and hang more on the lines!
Beth
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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Thanks Molly! Off to grow some mint!
Chari, always a pleasure chatting with ya! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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LisaR
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 11:52am | IP Logged
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I have a pretty large and sturdy Brabentina (spelling??, I'm too lazy to go outside and look ) umbrella type closeline that I can pull out of the ground when I'm not using to maximize yard space. I can get 3-4 large loads on it easily, HEAVY jeans, towels, etc, and so far it has held up for 6 years!
we got it at Lowe's.
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juststartn
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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Definitely containerize the mint. Although, if it does escape, it smells great when it gets mowed down, lol.
I'd recommend a plastic pot, with a large plate of some sort underneath.
Rachel
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Maddie
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| Posted: May 30 2008 at 9:29pm | IP Logged
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Wow, I never knew that about the mint.
I love this board, where else can you go today and talk about your clothesline? Anyone else ever get a sheet or towel snapping in the breeze smack in the face? 
Locker room towel snapping from my track and field days in school has nothing over a breeze whipping sheets around on the line before a storm...
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juststartn
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I always approach from the side...lol...
Also be careful with Lemon Balm. It reseeds prolifically. Mint throw runners, the Balm throws seeds (it also smells nummy when mowed over, though).
Rachel
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Lily 3/11/00
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Karen T
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| Posted: May 31 2008 at 4:36pm | IP Logged
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Maybe just hanging a little cup with sugar water at the ends of your lines would be enough. Ants would be attracted to it and then drown. No poison.
At our last house, we had a 2nd story deck in back, right off our kitchen (with nearby laundry room). Because the yard sloped down a lot in the back, I attached a pulley clothesline from the deck going out to one of the trees. It was great for hanging - even kingsize sheets wouldn't touch the ground! And I could access it so easily from the deck. I miss that.
Our new house has a much nicer level yard but b/c it's got a lot of trees around the perimeter I haven't found a good place for a clothesline yet. Dh likes the middle of the yard to just be clear grass for the kids, etc. and we've added a trampoline and 3 garden beds to any un-treed areas!
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Lisa H
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| Posted: June 03 2008 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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I had been wanting a clothes line since forever! Well, I finally got one this weekend at Home Depot. It is the T-post kind with 7 lines. I like it b/c I am able to take it down in case a tropical storm or hurricane would come our way. We just finish putting in together this afternoon. I've already started washing and can't wait to go get some "sunshine" in the our clothes and towels.
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Chari
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| Posted: June 04 2008 at 12:32am | IP Logged
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Thanks, Molly, you are sweet!
Update from my post above
the cement is poured......the wood pieces laying on the garage floor
Yes, Maddie....I have been smacked!  I know what you mean.
So, I am a little embarrassed to admit I am not all that fond of hanging my clothes outside. I can admit that here, right? It is hard on my arms, reaching up......I am naturally lazy........and would rather be doing something else.....like reading here
I also am not all that fond of stiff underwear and towels, if you know what I mean.
My dh says ALL the clothes are coming outside again, to dry. Ah, man.
I only wanted a place to hang the beach towels when we got home from the lake.
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Questions about clotheslines
