Pointers on choosing a clothesline.

Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a solar clothes dryer, aka clothesline.

Will a clothesline work in the winter even if the temperature is below freezing? The short answer is yes, through a process called sublimation. It means, "to extract a substance," in this case water molecules. Energy from the sun still has the power to evaporate water directly off your clothes even in very cold ambient temperatures. If sunlight is shinning on your clothes, sublimation does occur, however we recommend drying your clothes indoor if you have the room. Today there are a surprisingly large number of products to aid people who are short on space. These include typical drying racks, ceiling dryers, retractable clotheslines and more. It is certainly worth a search on the internet to see several of these products. Sites like The Clothesline Shop LLC offer a wide variety of products to help.

What size clothesline should I buy? An average load of laundry uses approximately 60 feet of clothesline. Obviously this varies depending on the size of the washing machine and the make-up of the load. For example; a load of sheets takes up much more line than a load of jeans. If you average 2 loads of laundry per day, a clothesline supplying 120 - 150 feet of line should suffice. Climate should also be considered. If you live in a hot, dry area, clothes dry much faster than humid areas. Your first load of laundry may be dry before you are ready to hang a third load. We feel that you can never have too much line space. Clotheslines are inexpensive enough to enable most people to purchase a model that is more than large enough for their average needs. Umbrella style models offer a very large amount of line, while their footprint on your back lawn, deck or porch is quite small.

Which is better, an aluminum or steel clothesline? 30 years ago the answer would have been aluminum, primarily because steel rusts, however today that reason is a non-issue. Several rust and other corrosion resistant treatments exist to make such a worry a thing of the past. The biggest issue between aluminum and steel is weight vs. strength. Most aluminum umbrella clotheslines are about 5 pounds lighter than their steel counterparts, however steel is a bit stronger. If you intend to frequently stow your clothesline, it may be better if you purchase an aluminum model. If you intend to leave it up most of the year, steel is an excellent choice. Physical ability should also be a consideration.

How do I know which type of clothesline is best for me?, Start by asking yourself a few basic questions.

1. Does my community prohibit or restrict the use of an outdoor clothesline? If so, try to get them to change the rules. Using solar heat to dry your clothes is an ecologically sound practice and it saves you money. Meanwhile, a retractable or easily removable style may work best.

2. How much of my backyard, deck, porch etc. can I spare for a clothesline?

3. Is the area I´d like to use very windy? Will it get much direct sunlight?

4. How large is my family? How many loads do I usually wash daily?

5. What styles do I like the best? Aesthetics matter because if you like your clothesline, you are more apt to use it.

Obviously these questions are not all-encompassing; however they should assist you in making a more informed choice. The pros of hanging your laundry certainly outweigh the cons, especially when it comes to keeping more of your hard-earned cash. A clothesline is one of those devises that actually pays for itself in relatively short order. It´s the smart low-tech choice for the 21st century.