Monday, May 04, 2009

Hanging around

This week we finally, after years of talking about it, put up a clothesline. We were not sure where to put it in the yard so that it didn't block the entire yard off hence the eight year decision period.

Finally, we realized that the best place wasn't in the yard at all but instead in our screened in deck. During the cold part of the year we cover the screens so in the early spring and late fall it gets smokin' hot in there thereby extending the use of the line. Because during that season that begins with W that is considered a four letter word in our house, we won't be using it. Unless we want our clothes to shatter into a billion pieces. Wait, I see the way to a whole new wardrobe....


This weekend was beautiful. Inside the deck it was lovely. I do believe the clothes took less than 2 hours to dry. And I felt a bit pioneer woman like hanging them out to dry. Trust me, I didn't look like one in my yoga pants and hoodie.

And you know what? It wasn't as much work or as inconvenient as I thought it would be. Sure I have to plan ahead because I can only fit one or two loads out there at time. But in the grand scheme of things, that is no big deal. And I have always ranted and raved to my mom (she's nodding vigourously right now) about the smell of clothes dried outside. They smell dirtly to me. Like I do when I come in all sweaty and in need of a shower. Now don't you all run out out an set up clothes lines at once based on that comment.

But I didn't notice the smell. Maybe there is no sweat in the deck? Or the wind with all the sweat in it didn't get at the clothes. Okay, okay, I'll stop now.

One more step towards lessening our impact. Next up is composting. To get worms or not to get worms, that is the question. Better yet, why does our city not have a composting program set up? WHY?

As an added bonus I got to play with my camera because what better subject is there than socks, underwear and swimming trunks? You all are welcome!

Photobucket

16 comments:

Lori said...

go you! think of all the money you are saving too

Debo Hobo said...

clothes always smell so much better when they come in from outside, don't they....

Natalie said...

you rock kami. i didn't purchase worms, i am just hoping that some decide to move into my compost on their own. hum, good question, keep me posted on what you decide with the worms...

R Royal Family said...

You go girl. At least it wasn't pictures of your panties..........er underware ;-)

Ed said...

Kami, while I admire you greatly for what you are doing--I know I could never emulate this. I've gotta have my dryer!

Unknown said...

Sometimes I think we share a brain. A clothesline and composting are my next two projects... : )

Great job my "green" friend!

Angella said...

You already know this, but we hang on the line too (Except for the dead of winter)

It smells so GOOOOOOOD.

Ashley said...

I love my clothes line!!!! This past move into farm country has allowed for us finally to have one. Up until now it's always been against the by-law because it's "unsightly". I say whatever, my underwear is prettier than some of the houses on our old street.

Because the smell of cow poo is present I have to watch which days I hang out the clothes to dry to avoid smelling like the local barn. But on good days I just make sure to use a nice smelling fabric softener in teh wash. It makes the clothes still smell great after being on the line.

AuntyTeeni said...

I love the smell of clothes that are hung out to dry on a line. Of course, I don't live near a cow farm or anything. But I also love the idea of using less electricity and getting myself outside more. I tend to spend more time weeding or gardening when I hang clothes out, for some reason. :)

BeachMama said...

Last year, after years of begging, I finally got a line. Mine is like and umbrella one but it attaches to the fence and folds away after the clothes are dried. I love it! Now if only I didn't hang my clothes in the winter inside, then I would feel as though I was saving money.

Kami said...

The first thing I noticed...swim trunks. SWIM TRUNKS! I thought you lived in the arctic? who's swimming? It makes you post look so summery, like mid-July! Can we all pretend it is mid-July??

mamatucci said...

I hang most of our stuff and in the summer we hang more. But where we live now it is kinda a pain to hike everything out. So I hang in the laundry room.

Laski said...

There is just something about clothes dried outside that takes me back . . .

I can't help but think of summer, the vinyl fold up pool, the sound of baseball on the radio, kids laughing, BBQ in the air . . .

Cheryl said...

You are awesome.... love your green lifestyle....makes me rethink my front load dryer....The only thing here that gets hung to dry are the lulu's!

Loukia said...

I have never done this, but I think I might start this summer as it seems the thing to do! I think my oldest son would also love helping with this!

Karen MEG said...

Oh you crack me up, of COURSE I appreciate all those pictures of hanging laundry!

I actually love the smell of clothes that have been hung to dry...I do that in the summer especially with the towels, but I do have some hanging racks in the basement for winter months.

I don't have an actual clothesline though...I think I remember reading something ridiculous about having to get the okay from the neighbours in certain jurisdictions... crazy, eh?