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This question comes from our friend Stacy:
I live in the Bay Area, where it's pretty feasible to hang your laundry to dry almost year round. My apartment building has a small backyard area (pictured) most of which is used for parking and my landlord's vegetable garden. I'd like to put up a clothesline, but where/how can I do it? Any suggestions? Is there such a thing as a temporary clothesline that I can put up and take down in between laundry days?
One more picture of Stacy's backyard after the jump.
We have the Lehigh Large Capacity Deluxe Parallel Clothes Dryer and couldn't be happier! It was easy to install and is easy to fold up and put away when not in use.
http://www.amazon.com/Lehigh-Capacity-Parallel-Clothes-LA84P-1/dp/B0009WG6O8/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i/002-6167790-7447206
view Aunt Honey's profile
I use a retractable washing line, something like this.
The line coils into the unit which you mount on a wall, pull it out and attach the end to a hook when needed. I'd suggest trying to set it up to run across the diagonal to get the most length.
view RobertT's profile
I have a $15 retractable clothes line that I got at the hardware store. It's pretty close to this model:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=159213-11112-R-400L&lpage=none
You could screw the end that holds the clothesline to your house and then put a hook in the fence (or vice versa) and you're set. Pull out the line when you need it and put it away when you don't.
view Jen (SLC)'s profile
It looks like you might be able to rig up something under that porch, or you could try one of those umbrella clothes 'lines' that open up for laundry day, but close it when you don't need it.
view orrismb's profile
I was thinking what Aunt Honey suggested would fill that space really well - maybe you could find a vintage-y looking one cheap
view amt230's profile
I second Aunt Honey and Jen. I use both in my yard. You can hang a lot of laundry on the Parallel Clothes dryer and it folds up quite nicely. One suggestion, you do have to put the post in concrete, so make sure you pick a spot you are happy with and won't be in the way when the dryer is in use.
view greycottage's profile
I didn't trust certain neighbors of mine not to make off with my designer jeans, so I put up a clothesline inside my house instead. Good thing I have tile floors.
I installed two sturdy wall hooks in the kitchen, and when it's time to dry laundry I tie a length of polyester clothesline rope to both hooks. I can take it down when I don't need it, and the hooks are also good for holding aprons or oven mitts.
view Stiletto's profile