How to Use a Clothesline
Hang your t-shirts up-side down so that the clip marks are in a less noticeable location., Hang cotton or blend cut-&-sewn shirts (those with cuffs and collars) upright with the clothespins at the side seams., Smooth out your clothes while you hang...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Hang your t-shirts up-side down so that the clip marks are in a less noticeable location.
You wouldn't want to have to iron your shirts to get those marks out.
Irons draw a huge amount of wattage, negating some of your energy savings from using the clothesline in the first place.
Alternatively, hang your t-shirts at the seams so that they hang straight (assuming the shirt has seams, and those seams are straight). -
Step 2: Hang cotton or blend cut-&-sewn shirts (those with cuffs and collars) upright with the clothespins at the side seams.
This allows them to dry quickly without shoulder marks or wrinkles.
Alternatively, a you could hang shirts and t-shirts out on the line on a coathanger.
This means no pegs and no marks and minimal ironing.
Or you could try hanging T shirts at the armpits; peg marks won't be seen here. , If your clothes come out of the washer very wrinkly, lower the spin cycle; they might take a little longer to dry, but they'll dry smoother.
Just don't "snap" (sharply shake) the clothes right before hanging them, as this can break the threads in them over time.Some people even put the clothes in a dryer for a just a few minutes before hanging them to air dry., That will make them more secure and less likely to blow off the line.
Use more than 2 clothespins for heavy items. , The weight of the upper part of the pants will help smooth it out while drying, lessening the need for an iron., Sun fades dyes.
Our grandmothers knew to hang their clothes in a covered or partly covered area so that their clothes did not fade.
It also gave them more time to get the clothes inside in case it started to rain.
If you don't have shade for a clothesline, you can turn your clothes inside out and that will greatly reduce the fading. , If someone in your household is allergic to pollen that is flying at the time, hang your clothes inside or use your dryer. , Pollution, pollen and dust cling to them. , This reduces the stresses in your clothes line so it will not snap and makes for less pull out force at the end brackets. , This image shows three types of clothespins.
The one on the left, with the pom poms glued to it, is the style you will find most frequently in the stores.
They are made in China and extremely cheap.
The other two are made in the American Midwest and harder to find.
They cost twice as much as the ones from China.
The one shown on the extreme right has been in use since
1990.
The one in the middle has been used for two years.
Compare the gauge of the metal used in the spring that holds the clip together.
The cheap imported ones are better used for art projects (hence the pom poms).
Entrust your wet and heavy laundry to the cheap clothespins and you may learn the hard way that they are not trustworthy.
Your local Home Depot probably only stocks the cheap ones that you don't want to use.
Go to your independent hardware store and ask if they will special order the sturdier ones for you.
It takes a few days, but it is worth the wait.
Maybe if enough people insist on the better ones, the default item stocked in stores will be the sturdy ones. ,[[Image:
Use a Clothesline Step
11.jpg}} -
Step 3: Smooth out your clothes while you hang them up to minimize ironing.
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Step 4: Fold the top of your towels and sheets over the line slightly.
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Step 5: Hang pants from the cuffs.
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Step 6: Hang your clothes in the shade.
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Step 7: Keep an eye on pollen count.
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Step 8: Wipe down your clothesline before each use.
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Step 9: Use a prop to support your clothes line midway when you load it with heavy washing.
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Step 10: Use sturdy clothespins.
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Step 11: Alternatively
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Step 12: springless clothes pegs made of hardwood or plastic also hold laundry securely.
Detailed Guide
You wouldn't want to have to iron your shirts to get those marks out.
Irons draw a huge amount of wattage, negating some of your energy savings from using the clothesline in the first place.
Alternatively, hang your t-shirts at the seams so that they hang straight (assuming the shirt has seams, and those seams are straight).
This allows them to dry quickly without shoulder marks or wrinkles.
Alternatively, a you could hang shirts and t-shirts out on the line on a coathanger.
This means no pegs and no marks and minimal ironing.
Or you could try hanging T shirts at the armpits; peg marks won't be seen here. , If your clothes come out of the washer very wrinkly, lower the spin cycle; they might take a little longer to dry, but they'll dry smoother.
Just don't "snap" (sharply shake) the clothes right before hanging them, as this can break the threads in them over time.Some people even put the clothes in a dryer for a just a few minutes before hanging them to air dry., That will make them more secure and less likely to blow off the line.
Use more than 2 clothespins for heavy items. , The weight of the upper part of the pants will help smooth it out while drying, lessening the need for an iron., Sun fades dyes.
Our grandmothers knew to hang their clothes in a covered or partly covered area so that their clothes did not fade.
It also gave them more time to get the clothes inside in case it started to rain.
If you don't have shade for a clothesline, you can turn your clothes inside out and that will greatly reduce the fading. , If someone in your household is allergic to pollen that is flying at the time, hang your clothes inside or use your dryer. , Pollution, pollen and dust cling to them. , This reduces the stresses in your clothes line so it will not snap and makes for less pull out force at the end brackets. , This image shows three types of clothespins.
The one on the left, with the pom poms glued to it, is the style you will find most frequently in the stores.
They are made in China and extremely cheap.
The other two are made in the American Midwest and harder to find.
They cost twice as much as the ones from China.
The one shown on the extreme right has been in use since
1990.
The one in the middle has been used for two years.
Compare the gauge of the metal used in the spring that holds the clip together.
The cheap imported ones are better used for art projects (hence the pom poms).
Entrust your wet and heavy laundry to the cheap clothespins and you may learn the hard way that they are not trustworthy.
Your local Home Depot probably only stocks the cheap ones that you don't want to use.
Go to your independent hardware store and ask if they will special order the sturdier ones for you.
It takes a few days, but it is worth the wait.
Maybe if enough people insist on the better ones, the default item stocked in stores will be the sturdy ones. ,[[Image:
Use a Clothesline Step
11.jpg}}
About the Author
Edward Parker
A seasoned expert in arts and creative design, Edward Parker combines 5 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Edward's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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