Okay so I know I've made a few posts about my clothesline already but I've learned some things in the few weeks I've been using it and I want to share them in case anyone can benefit from them. Now for those of you who have been doing this a while these might sound like obvious tips but for someone new, like I was just a few weeks ago, a list like this was exactly what I was hoping to find and didn't... So here we go!
- Wear an apron: Or have some place to put your clothespins... I've seen the bags that hang on the line and I know some people pin them on their clothes they are wearing... but so far NOTHING has worked as well for me as my little half apron with a large pocket in the center to get a clothespin out or drop one in when I'm taking clothes off the line.
- Hang clothes inside out: Now I can see someone not wanting to do this if there are any stains they are hoping the sun will bleach out OR they might see it as too much work when it comes time to take the clothes down... having to turn them right side out again. Well... you see... I have an issue with bugs. Yes... I want a farm, farm animals, and a garden and I hate bugs!! I can't help it... call me crazy! So I found myself shaking out my clothes and turning them inside out giving another shake then back again just to triple check that there were no bugs! Then I said "Ah ha!" I'll hang them to dry inside out then when I take them down I just give a shake, turn them right side out and voila! I'm satisfied! Keep in mind too you may not have a spider/bug problem if you're using T poles but my clothesline is hung between two trees.
- Hang clothes upside down: I don't think I hang a single piece of clothing right side up... it makes for better drying to let sleeves and waistbands and such fly in the wind.
- Fold Over: Every article of clothing I hang, I fold over the line just a wee bit for the clothespin to grasp... if you put the edge of the clothing flat against the line and pin it... a gust of wind could take it right down!
- For quicker drying: Pin the piece of clothing from end to end as wide as the article of clothing.
- For more room on the line: Drape the articles of clothing... pin each side of shirts closer together with the body of the shirt draping in the middle. Remember doing this gives you more line but lessens the drying time.
- For soft towels: Hang them on a windy day! I've noticed when my towels are out to dry on a windy day, they end up being as soft as they are when they come out of a dryer!
- Turn the towels: I've noticed that when I turn my towels they dry quicker... remember the "fold over" tip a few numbers up... well this makes for that part of the towel not to dry as quickly as the rest so when I feel that the hanging edge of the towel is dry I turn it upside down and re-pin it from the dry edge to let the damp edge fly in the wind and quicken the overall drying time!
- Play music: Make hanging your clothes out to dry fun and relaxing!! There's nothing better to me than being outside on a beautiful day blasting some good 'ol county music while my son plays and I hang our clothes on the line!
