Clothesline And Washing Line Reviews
Reviews of the latest Clothesline, Washing Line and Clothes Airer products
Clotheslines are Back
CLOTHESLINES ARE BACK!
The once banned clothesline is back in fashion and a welcomed back-yard landmark of Sustainability and Change.
Any chance you are looking to save a little cash - improve your family’s health - or protect the environment this year?
Many simple everyday habits, like changing how you do your laundry, can achieve all three at once. Take a moment to recall those precious memories of a time when life was less hectic, family came first, and it was common place to hear the sound of laundry snapping in the wind and our children playing outside. For those who can’t recall or brought up knowing only the convenience of the automatic dryer, line drying has a long history of usefulness and blessings; from the revered fresh scent on sheets and pillow cases, to the naturally firm arms of our maiden ancestors, to the brightest sun-bleached socks you can imagine.
Ever since dryer sheets took the place of the summer breeze, the art and benefits of line drying became lost somewhere between busy schedules, pristine back-yards, and for some, the absurd clothesline prohibition. Thanks to Provincial legislation under the Environmental Act the urban myths and perceptions have been busted and clotheslines are welcomed back in Ontario. That means the clothesline bans have been lifted along with the dependency on automatic dryers and folding racks. Individuals are free to put up a clothesline including the practical post and pulley clothesline; the type that really gets the job done and may become a lasting back-yard landmark of sustainability and change. Those who welcome this eco-reform probably wonder if it will catch on. Is our dependency on the dryer destined by our 24/7 lifestyle? Are we really beyond being offended by our neighbor’s tighty whities snapping in the wind? A look at the many benefits of line drying may help you decide.
Line Drying offers plenty more than just energy savings and conservation; it promotes physical activity, can be meditative, and brings people together. Not to mention, the clothesline outperforms most heat settings, fragrance enhancers, stain removers, and anti-static agents; yet known to womankind. It’s an opportunity to breathe deeply, have a good stretch, and clear your mind; all the while being at one with Mother Nature. It’s time to yourself or an eco-friendly chore the whole family can share. The otherwise mundane task of laundry can become an event that you look forward to, another excuse to enjoy the out doors, watch the kids play, or casually chat up the neighbours. Line drying is also more convenient than you may think. It only takes a few minutes to hang a load and no matter when you use it, you are conserving energy. Running the electric dryer during off-peak hours will save you money but where is the convenience in doing laundry on nights and weekends? Besides, if you are not there when the dryer stops everything comes out wrinkled.
Hanging clothes inside offers similar benefits. Indoor drying racks of all shapes and sizes can accommodate even the smallest of spaces. Spin cycles remove most the moisture so there is minimal dripping. Synthetics take minutes to dry and the heavier cottons and jeans can be finished off in the dryer for 5 min. In Europe, it is common to see racks hoisted/suspended from dining room ceilings where the warm air circulates best; far from the dark damp basements we envision. The draughty narrow stairwell of a row house for example, is a great place to string up a pulley line (a staple in the United Kingdom). Depending on your space and ingenuity indoor line drying can be quick and easy, allow you to conserve all year round, and will return humidity to dry winter air.
Clothes can last longer and stay fresher too. Dryer lint is nothing more than residue and bits of clothing caused from a constant beating of heat and chemicals. Mother earth gracefully produces that fresh-air scent without causing static-cling. The stain fighting power of the Sun bleaches whites and can disinfect almost anything. For instance line dried towels are more absorbent, exfoliate your skin, and are resistant to mildew. A good winter airing will kill germs and dust mites on oversize items, bedding, and toys. You can prolong your dry-cleaning needs by hanging business clothes and fine washables to freshen naturally in the crisp air.
Plus if you happen to have teenagers at home, who are responsible for cleaning their own endless loads of laundry, recognizing those shirts that haven’t been worn or hanging those jeans that could have seen one more school day will help them think twice before washing the clean pile.
Of course line drying is good for you and the environment. So, let’s skip the lecture and just do the math. The purity of solar and wind power is available on the clothesline; at zero cost to you or the environment (+). You can also lessen the amount of laundry products that end up in our air and water, or get absorbed through our skin (+). Black coal is generally burned to meet peak electricity demand, which is when dryers are most often used (-). If everyone did more to conserve during these spikes, we could reduce much of the coal fired generation needed to keep Ontario lit. The rewards and ripple effect of using clotheslines is lower electricity demand, which leads to lower peak rates and transportation charges, less coal burned, cleaner air and water, and so on, and so on (+ +). For example, let’s assume 75% of Ontario family households (excluding apartments) replaced electric dryer consumption with clotheslines during peak demand from April to October. The collective impact for 3 million households would be 1.8 billion fewer kilowatt hours of energy consumption which could eliminate the production of 1.7 million metric tonnes of coal fired Carbon Dioxide and put over $300 million dollars back in their wallets within six short months. How is that for a stimulus package?
In terms of the individual savings and depending on your family needs, you could reduce your energy bill by more than $150/yr. The electric dryer uses 5000watts amounting for 6% - 15% of residential power. It is the 3rd largest energy consuming home appliance next to the fridge and air conditioner. The cost to install an outdoor clothesline (post & pulley style) is eligible for the new Federal Home Renovation 15% Tax Credit (when added to other home renovation projects). There are no tax incentives for electric dryers. In addition to power and tax savings, add in the dollars saved to replace worn clothing, laundry products, and dry cleaning, and there you have it. The clothesline is a worthy investment that will pay for itself quickly and will allow you to harness free energy for years to come.
There are many products re-emerging on store shelves and websites. There are the traditional standbys, new techno-gadgets, and old-world windings. Regardless of your style preference, make sure quality and durability are the deciding factors. You will no doubt find all you need at your local home improvement or discount stores. However, the a-la-carte prices and seemingly convenient selections may not measure up to your expectations or even the task at hand. The majority of these off- the-shelf items are made from light weight materials that break easily and cannot be repaired. For instance, you will find the ever popular low profile (umbrella style) dryer that is designed to suit the modern back yard which is void of mature trees or hydro poles. If you must go this route; make sure you do your research and find one that is built to last. Besides the quality and safety issues with low lines and umbrella dryers, most back yards are now home to patio furniture, gazebos, and play areas, so space is already at a premium.
The tried and true post to house pulley clothesline is still the best choice. It will catch the most air, sun, and wind power; which on a good day will dry light fabrics faster than you can fill the line. It is typically anchored to the house, conveniently close to the deck or doorway and elevated to about 12 feet which is high enough to clear most yard furnishings and safety concerns. The pulley line can also be used to support other backyard activities like volleyball/badminton nets, piñatas, playhouse backdrops, patio lanterns, seasonal lights etc… If your backyard has a diagonal depth of at least 40 feet this style will work well.
Here is what you need to consider for installation. The pole should be 12-16ft. in length and strong enough to hold a minimum of 500 lbs factoring in wet weight and wind conditions. The best choices are 4.5”galvanized steel pipe, a cedar post, 6x6 treated lumber, or the top end of a decommissioned utility pole. Lumber must be pressure treated to keep from rotting. Cedar and steel poles do not need to be treated with nasty chemicals. Try to find wood that was cut the previous season or has been kiln dried. Once you have the pole, it needs to be embedded in concrete below the frost line (4 .5 ‘deep x 2.5’ wide). Call public works before you dig to locate any underground live-wire or utility. You can dig by hand or rent an auger, but understand the safety factors before you rent drilling equipment. Once the post is in, the pulley fixtures need to be mounted to a to your home siding or structural stud within a comfortable reach. An elevator pulley system can accommodate easy reaching and hoist to a maximum height, and is easy to install. The pulleys should be made of zinc and contain ball bearings; otherwise they will break.
Installing a traditional post to house clothesline is a bit of a project but you will have a permanent fixture that will last a long time and serve your drying needs all year round. Once you factor in all the savings of line drying any premium you pay for quality workmanship will be returned over time. You may want to consider calling an installer who has the tools, access to quality hardware, and may price the job for less than you can do-it-yourself. For the finest in post and pulley systems from Wright Aluminum and quality drying racks from Stewi - visit www.greenpolesolutions.com
However you decide to approach sustainability this year, you owe it to yourself, your family, and the environment to take advantage of any free or alternative energy sources. The clothesline is definitely one worth considering. We are all in this together, and together we can make a difference.
Harness the Power of Change
The once banned clothesline is back in fashion and a welcomed back-yard landmark of Sustainability and Change.
Any chance you are looking to save a little cash - improve your family’s health - or protect the environment this year?
Many simple everyday habits, like changing how you do your laundry, can achieve all three at once. Take a moment to recall those precious memories of a time when life was less hectic, family came first, and it was common place to hear the sound of laundry snapping in the wind and our children playing outside. For those who can’t recall or brought up knowing only the convenience of the automatic dryer, line drying has a long history of usefulness and blessings; from the revered fresh scent on sheets and pillow cases, to the naturally firm arms of our maiden ancestors, to the brightest sun-bleached socks you can imagine.
Ever since dryer sheets took the place of the summer breeze, the art and benefits of line drying became lost somewhere between busy schedules, pristine back-yards, and for some, the absurd clothesline prohibition. Thanks to Provincial legislation under the Environmental Act the urban myths and perceptions have been busted and clotheslines are welcomed back in Ontario. That means the clothesline bans have been lifted along with the dependency on automatic dryers and folding racks. Individuals are free to put up a clothesline including the practical post and pulley clothesline; the type that really gets the job done and may become a lasting back-yard landmark of sustainability and change. Those who welcome this eco-reform probably wonder if it will catch on. Is our dependency on the dryer destined by our 24/7 lifestyle? Are we really beyond being offended by our neighbor’s tighty whities snapping in the wind? A look at the many benefits of line drying may help you decide.
Line Drying offers plenty more than just energy savings and conservation; it promotes physical activity, can be meditative, and brings people together. Not to mention, the clothesline outperforms most heat settings, fragrance enhancers, stain removers, and anti-static agents; yet known to womankind. It’s an opportunity to breathe deeply, have a good stretch, and clear your mind; all the while being at one with Mother Nature. It’s time to yourself or an eco-friendly chore the whole family can share. The otherwise mundane task of laundry can become an event that you look forward to, another excuse to enjoy the out doors, watch the kids play, or casually chat up the neighbours. Line drying is also more convenient than you may think. It only takes a few minutes to hang a load and no matter when you use it, you are conserving energy. Running the electric dryer during off-peak hours will save you money but where is the convenience in doing laundry on nights and weekends? Besides, if you are not there when the dryer stops everything comes out wrinkled.
Hanging clothes inside offers similar benefits. Indoor drying racks of all shapes and sizes can accommodate even the smallest of spaces. Spin cycles remove most the moisture so there is minimal dripping. Synthetics take minutes to dry and the heavier cottons and jeans can be finished off in the dryer for 5 min. In Europe, it is common to see racks hoisted/suspended from dining room ceilings where the warm air circulates best; far from the dark damp basements we envision. The draughty narrow stairwell of a row house for example, is a great place to string up a pulley line (a staple in the United Kingdom). Depending on your space and ingenuity indoor line drying can be quick and easy, allow you to conserve all year round, and will return humidity to dry winter air.
Clothes can last longer and stay fresher too. Dryer lint is nothing more than residue and bits of clothing caused from a constant beating of heat and chemicals. Mother earth gracefully produces that fresh-air scent without causing static-cling. The stain fighting power of the Sun bleaches whites and can disinfect almost anything. For instance line dried towels are more absorbent, exfoliate your skin, and are resistant to mildew. A good winter airing will kill germs and dust mites on oversize items, bedding, and toys. You can prolong your dry-cleaning needs by hanging business clothes and fine washables to freshen naturally in the crisp air.
Plus if you happen to have teenagers at home, who are responsible for cleaning their own endless loads of laundry, recognizing those shirts that haven’t been worn or hanging those jeans that could have seen one more school day will help them think twice before washing the clean pile.
Of course line drying is good for you and the environment. So, let’s skip the lecture and just do the math. The purity of solar and wind power is available on the clothesline; at zero cost to you or the environment (+). You can also lessen the amount of laundry products that end up in our air and water, or get absorbed through our skin (+). Black coal is generally burned to meet peak electricity demand, which is when dryers are most often used (-). If everyone did more to conserve during these spikes, we could reduce much of the coal fired generation needed to keep Ontario lit. The rewards and ripple effect of using clotheslines is lower electricity demand, which leads to lower peak rates and transportation charges, less coal burned, cleaner air and water, and so on, and so on (+ +). For example, let’s assume 75% of Ontario family households (excluding apartments) replaced electric dryer consumption with clotheslines during peak demand from April to October. The collective impact for 3 million households would be 1.8 billion fewer kilowatt hours of energy consumption which could eliminate the production of 1.7 million metric tonnes of coal fired Carbon Dioxide and put over $300 million dollars back in their wallets within six short months. How is that for a stimulus package?
In terms of the individual savings and depending on your family needs, you could reduce your energy bill by more than $150/yr. The electric dryer uses 5000watts amounting for 6% - 15% of residential power. It is the 3rd largest energy consuming home appliance next to the fridge and air conditioner. The cost to install an outdoor clothesline (post & pulley style) is eligible for the new Federal Home Renovation 15% Tax Credit (when added to other home renovation projects). There are no tax incentives for electric dryers. In addition to power and tax savings, add in the dollars saved to replace worn clothing, laundry products, and dry cleaning, and there you have it. The clothesline is a worthy investment that will pay for itself quickly and will allow you to harness free energy for years to come.
There are many products re-emerging on store shelves and websites. There are the traditional standbys, new techno-gadgets, and old-world windings. Regardless of your style preference, make sure quality and durability are the deciding factors. You will no doubt find all you need at your local home improvement or discount stores. However, the a-la-carte prices and seemingly convenient selections may not measure up to your expectations or even the task at hand. The majority of these off- the-shelf items are made from light weight materials that break easily and cannot be repaired. For instance, you will find the ever popular low profile (umbrella style) dryer that is designed to suit the modern back yard which is void of mature trees or hydro poles. If you must go this route; make sure you do your research and find one that is built to last. Besides the quality and safety issues with low lines and umbrella dryers, most back yards are now home to patio furniture, gazebos, and play areas, so space is already at a premium.
The tried and true post to house pulley clothesline is still the best choice. It will catch the most air, sun, and wind power; which on a good day will dry light fabrics faster than you can fill the line. It is typically anchored to the house, conveniently close to the deck or doorway and elevated to about 12 feet which is high enough to clear most yard furnishings and safety concerns. The pulley line can also be used to support other backyard activities like volleyball/badminton nets, piñatas, playhouse backdrops, patio lanterns, seasonal lights etc… If your backyard has a diagonal depth of at least 40 feet this style will work well.
Here is what you need to consider for installation. The pole should be 12-16ft. in length and strong enough to hold a minimum of 500 lbs factoring in wet weight and wind conditions. The best choices are 4.5”galvanized steel pipe, a cedar post, 6x6 treated lumber, or the top end of a decommissioned utility pole. Lumber must be pressure treated to keep from rotting. Cedar and steel poles do not need to be treated with nasty chemicals. Try to find wood that was cut the previous season or has been kiln dried. Once you have the pole, it needs to be embedded in concrete below the frost line (4 .5 ‘deep x 2.5’ wide). Call public works before you dig to locate any underground live-wire or utility. You can dig by hand or rent an auger, but understand the safety factors before you rent drilling equipment. Once the post is in, the pulley fixtures need to be mounted to a to your home siding or structural stud within a comfortable reach. An elevator pulley system can accommodate easy reaching and hoist to a maximum height, and is easy to install. The pulleys should be made of zinc and contain ball bearings; otherwise they will break.
Installing a traditional post to house clothesline is a bit of a project but you will have a permanent fixture that will last a long time and serve your drying needs all year round. Once you factor in all the savings of line drying any premium you pay for quality workmanship will be returned over time. You may want to consider calling an installer who has the tools, access to quality hardware, and may price the job for less than you can do-it-yourself. For the finest in post and pulley systems from Wright Aluminum and quality drying racks from Stewi - visit www.greenpolesolutions.com
However you decide to approach sustainability this year, you owe it to yourself, your family, and the environment to take advantage of any free or alternative energy sources. The clothesline is definitely one worth considering. We are all in this together, and together we can make a difference.
Harness the Power of Change
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