Clotheslines: Good or Bad?
Clotheslines are gaining in popularity
Hanging your clothes on a line may bring back fond memories of a childhood farm or city-living experience, but they have been and are becoming an eyesore. There is concern for housing values dropping due to the 'shabbiness' of hanging clothes draped across the yard.
The Lowly Clothesline
The clothesline was once a common site on the residential landscape. But as post world war II Americans embraced labor-saving appliances, clotheslines came to be associated with people who couldn't afford a clothes dryer.
Or, at least, they were a rarity. With energy prices and environmental awareness increasing, many people want to be able to save money and energy.
Now, the clothesline is making a comeback!
Using a clothesline to dry your clothing can save households about 6 percent of their annual energy usage. That equates to about $80 per year.
Table of Contents
Home Owner Associations
There are approximately 300,000 home owner associations (HOA) throughout the USA. About 60 million people reside within those communities.Because these houses and condominiums share a common space these associations try to enforce basic rules and protect the rights of the tenants and their property. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with the rules. Also, not all HOA rules are actually enforceable due to state or provincial laws.
It is usually HOA's that are against clotheslines. The reasoning is that clotheslines are an eyesore and can reduce the value of the property.
There may be truth to this, as an 'eyesore' and property value are based upon personal opinion.
More Info about Home Owners Associations
- What is a Homeowner Association?
- What is a Homeowner Association?
Regenesis.net uses the term "homeowner association" and "HOA" in a generic sense
although some states use the terms for specific forms of housing. - theHOAprimer
- The purpose of this website is awaken a sleeping public to a plague that is threatening to destroy the American dream of homeownership and undermine the common democratic principals so many have fought to preserve for over 200 years. This menace is the corporate, private government known as the Homeowners Association.
- HOA Information to Know Before you Buy
- HOA Information to Know Before you Buy
- Executive Council of Homeowners | Serving Community Associations
- Executive Council of Homeowners Serving California Community Associations
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The Clothesline Debate - What's Your Opinion?
Should clotheslines be banned?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, they are an eyesore
D. Olsen says:
I can see why those community associations would not want a bunch of clotheslines all over the place. Just like the apartments and townhouses with all sorts of junk and toys cluttering the decks. It looks pretty trashy!
Posted July 05, 2008
No, they should be allowed
Mortira says:
I think not having one should be banned! Seriously, though, I think that this is a matter of greed; and greedy people should not be allowed to interfere with saving the environment, or letting low income families save money.
Posted October 02, 2008
animal_lover79 says:
I remember helping my grandmother pin clothes to the line. Should they be banned....no. People will just find something else they deem an "eyesore" and try to ban that, too. I suppose if you live in an upscale neighborhood, it would be looked down upon, but this is supposed to be America...land of the free. If you can't dry your clothes outside, I wouldn't exactly call that free.
Posted August 07, 2008
Winter52 says:
To me, clotheslines take me back to my childhood. We had what was called a "stoop" and you had to climb up it to hang the clothes on the line. In the winter, the clothes would come in frozen and would have to be warmed by the fire. Sounds like I lived in the middle ages lol, but it worked. I hang out my clothes all summer long and on racks in the basement during the winter. Every little bit helps I should think. Can't remember the last time I used our dryer.
Posted August 05, 2008
spirituality says:
I can see why people would think them an eyesore - but to ban them, that's just stupid, IMO. They're energy efficient way of drying cloths - which is very important.
Posted August 05, 2008
KimGiancaterino says:
I have no problem with clotheslines. We're trying to find a creative way to incorporate one in our backyard. We live in a 1920s neighborhood and many of the houses have their original clotheslines.
Posted August 04, 2008
CherylK says:
I love clotheslines. I'd never live in a neighborhood that outlawed them. A clothesline is Americana, pure and simple.
Posted July 29, 2008
Amanda_Blue says:
There is nothing like the fragrance of wash that has dried in the sun, eyesore or not--clotheslines should be allowed!
Posted July 26, 2008
quirkymoo says:
What the heck!!! Honestly, ugly neighbours can lower house values. Should we ban them?
Posted July 26, 2008
Links that Prove My Point
If you agree, add links (proof!) that help me make my case
I believe that clotheslines should be allowed.
#1
New York Times: The Clothes Line
1 point
#2
Clothesline rule creates flap
Article on the Boston Globe1 point
#3
Project Laundry List Homepage
0 points
#4
Hang Up a Clothes Line
Hang up a clothes line.0 points
#5
Do Clotheslines Really Lower Property Value? : TreeHugger
Just over a month ago, reader James noted that 'in more...0 points
Links that Disprove My Point
Disagree? Put your money where your mouth is and show us why.
I have had a very difficult time finding links that 'disprove' my point. If you know of any others, please add them.
A Green Household
Indoor Alternatives
If you are unable to string up a clothesline outside for one reason or another there are still other options.
20' Retractable Indoor Clothesline
20’ Retractable Indoor / Outdoor Clothesline
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Telescoping Indoor Clothesline Clothes Dryer
Whitney Design Wall Mount Telescoping Indoor Drying Rack
The Whitney Design Telescoping Indoor Drying Rack is one of the easiest items to install. They even put circles on the packaging to show you where to drill the holes. It's a neat idea for hanging a few items to dry and yet it does not take up much space.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $24.99
Retractable 5-Line Mini Dryer
Whitney Design Retractable 5-Line Mini Dryer
It would probably sag too much for things like adult size denim jeans (could work, you'd just want no more than one pair per line and be prepared for it to hang low), but works great for things like childrens clothes, and adult shirts, blouses, skirts, etc.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $14.99
Polder8311-90 Accordion clothes Dryer
Polder8311-90 Accordion clothes Dryer, White
Ready to use right out of the box, it's light-weight yet sturdily built and folds down to a very compact, easily stored size.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $39.99
Used Price:
Wooden Drying Rack
Wooden Drying Rack Space Saving Foldaway 56 ft (White Pine) (54"h x 30"w)
This thing is the best. You can dry sweaters flat on the top, there are bars very low where only socks and the suches will fit, which is great, because you won't have to use up higher space on those little items. All my laundry usually dries overnight, with the waist area of jeans taking longer. This rack is also very light, super simple to fold / unfold, very sturdy and balanced (won't get knocked over by the dog). You can easily fold it and move it even when it's full of laundry. Folds thin enough to slide between a bookshelf and the wall (provided there is some space back there).
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $75.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price:
Used Price:
Kids can Help too!
True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $8.00
The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Living
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $7.47
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
My clothesline obsession continues.
Clotheslines in Venice.
Farmhouse clothesline along Route 112
A simple clothesline has saved me a bundle on not using the dryer
Your Thoughts?
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Mortira
There's nothing fresher than sheets dried on the line - they smell great, as long as you don't live next to a highway. Thanks for sparking this debate! ***** Posted October 02, 2008 |
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Winter52
I have an old one that I hawl up from the basement to use all summer long. The minute we move (if the day ever arrives) I'm going to install a real one. 5* I just wish more people in our neighborhood would try a bit harder. Clothes smell so much nicer when they have been dried in the sun! Posted August 05, 2008 |
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triathlontraining
Thank you Kim, for your thoughts and for the Angel Blessing! :) Posted August 05, 2008 |
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KimGiancaterino
Fabulous lens! Squid Angel Blessed. Posted August 04, 2008 |
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CherylK
Love this lens! I hope clotheslines become the norm rather than the exception. Five stars and I'm lensrolling this, too. Great job!! Posted July 29, 2008 |
