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
50% of the proceeds go to 
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
lyjusinski says:
As you said above, "eyesores" are a personal opinion. I don't see anything offensive or shabby about clotheslines, and I really don't like wasting energy. I live in an apartment so I don't really have a yard, but I use an indoor drying rack instead of the dryer and I've saved a bunch of money and I like the way my clothes smell after hanging up.
Posted November 25, 2009
TheWhistler says:
Actually they are both an eyesore and an Energy Saver, plus they are just wonderful when you have hung out your washing and it starts to rain. When the washing gets so heavy with water it pulls down the line. Still in today's world a lot of people will be moving backwards to a simpler time.
Posted November 11, 2009
HenryE says:
It doesn't bother me at all! Whatever we can do to conserve energy is beneficial.
Posted November 11, 2009
Lori_Lee-Ray says:
If the Homeowners Associations want to pay the exorbitant energy bills, then by all means go ahead. In the meantime, I will continue to hang my laundry on my line and conserve as much as I can. All I can say is if they don't like seeing clothes hanging on the line.. then stop looking in people's backyards! At least that's where mine ie lol. Oh.. one more thing.. if you DO hang them out.. at least hide the unmentionables between the towels and sheets. :)
Posted April 30, 2009
barbara says:
Clotheslines can be situated so that it is not an eyesore. I miss not having one but I use a small metal one and save on energy. NO ONE has caught me yet HOWEVER, I'm not responsible for those looking into my yard...too bad. Its mine. I miss the tall ones...sheets still go into the dryer.
Posted April 29, 2009
Wilona Betzen says:
I am 48 years old and can remember every home in our neighbordhood had a clothes line. They told a story of the family that lived there, you could tell when there was a baby, children, or when someone was ill. The clothes line was a silent talker. I remember it was also a communal time for the Mother's to get caught up on their lives, swap recipes, arrange parties, exhange services, and share advice. I just love the smell of clothes that are hung on a line to dry, nothing like sheets line dried. Like washing dishes with my Mother it was a comforting time to talk, my Mother and I had some of our best conversations washing dishes and hanging clothes on the line. To this day I have never used a dishwasher and have always a clothesline wherever I have lived.
Posted April 09, 2009
TopStyleTravel says:
No, I too remember clotheslines as a child in the backyard. We loved to smell clothes dried in the wind. The sun naturally brightened the clothes. We hung items according to type and color (more uniform look). Now I use an indoor pole in the laundry room and open the window to dry some clothes. They retain color better not being put in the dryer. HOA's like to keep things looking pristine but hanging clothes is ok in a contained area. And not on the fence like I have heard of.
Posted April 09, 2009
Jack2205 says:
When I was a child, everyone in the neighborhood had a clothesline and used it. My grandparents had one at their farm. Now nobody in my neighborhood has a clothesline. They are energy efficient.
Posted February 28, 2009
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
Hang Up a Clothes Line
Hang up a clothes line.1 point
3
Clothesline rule creates flap
Article on the Boston Globe1 point
4
Frigidaire Dryer | Look Here First | Frigidaire Dryer
Looking For Frigidaire Dryer info? We Have A Detai more...1 point
5
Project Laundry List Homepage
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
Telescoping Indoor Clothesline Clothes Dryer
Whitney Design 5003 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: $21.82 (as of 12/30/2009) 
List Price: $24.99
Retractable 5-Line Mini Dryer
Polder8311-90 Accordion clothes Dryer
Polder 8311-90 Accordion-Style Clothes Drying Rack, 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 12/30/2009)
List Price: $39.99
Used Price:
Wooden Drying Rack
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.Kids can Help too!
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.
Your Thoughts?
-
Reply
- Demaw Demaw Nov 17, 2009 @ 8:53 am
- I prefer if the clothes line is in the back yard. If you need to use the front you can put some sort of privacy screen to hide it from the neighbors. 5*
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Reply
- _Joan_ _Joan_ Nov 13, 2009 @ 11:52 am
- The obvious solution to this grave problem is a clothing-optional lifestyle! Fewer clothes mean fewer items hanging on clotheslines and/or less dryer usage. :-)
-
Reply
- Kerry Kerry Aug 7, 2009 @ 11:24 am
- Clotheslines on personal property should be a right. Even if it is only a patio. If that is not the case, I hope people are pressuring their Homeowners Associations. I love fresh smelling towels and sheets, blankets! I love seeing clothes hanging from lines. It says that person is not wasteful, for one thing. And, I just plain like the look of clothes hanging on a line, especially photos! Maybe it's nostalgia. Maybe it's art. It smells fantastic. On blanket and sheets days it also provides a little privacy if one has a small yard!
Hanging clothes is a task I used to enjoy. For those of us with hayfever, not such a good idea-according to my allergist. The pollen is then on anything that was dried outside.
Thanks for the "eye candy"- clothesline pics!
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Reply
- Shaiya Shaiya Jun 16, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
- I think HOA should set aside a portion of the grounds to clothe lines and community vegetable gardens.
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Reply
- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Jun 3, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
- I am looking forward to hanging clothes on the clothesline in Vermont this summer. They always smell so much fresher.
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