That depends on where you live, as this blog post explains. Some communities have regulations that prohibit homeowners or renters from using clotheslines. But people are fighting back against these rules:

A “right-to-dry” movement has sprung up and won laws in six states––Florida, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, and Vermont—to render these bans void and unenforceable.

In another 13 states, solar access laws protect solar drying. For instance, an Oregon law states that any restrictions on “solar radiation as a source for heating, cooling or electrical energy” are “void and unenforceable.” Since clotheslines rely on solar energy, their use is protected in those states where laws provide blanket allowances for the use of solar radiation.

Yet in all 19 states where they are technically illegal, these bans still remain in effect. Right-to-dry activist Alexander Lee estimates that more than half of all HOAs restrict or ban the use of clotheslines. Many residents simply don’t realize they legally have the right to use clotheslines.

The blog post gives more specifics on where some of these illegal bans persist, and even includes a map of clothesline bans.

One rather ironic example is the Forest Heights neighborhood in Oregon. The community claims to be dedicated to environmental stewardship, with plenty of common green space, walking trails and even an “EcoShuttle” service. The HOA website promotes a “Go Green” campaign. Yet at the same time, the regulations limit placement of clotheslines to “service yards” that are “completely screened so that the elements screened are not visible at any time from the street or any adjoining property.” Because of the way homes are situated in proximity to each other, it would be basically impossible to completely conceal a clothesline. So essentially, this amounts to a clothesline ban, which is illegal under Oregon’s aforementioned solar access law.

If your HOA covenants prohibit the use of clotheslines, don’t despair. If you live in one of the 19 states where these bans are illegal, you have the law on your side, so you can go ahead and hang your clothesline without fear. If not, you can always become an activist yourself and fight for your right to dry. Until your state’s laws change, though, there are plenty of indoor clotheslines available. Contact us to learn more about the vast and varied ways to dry your clothes naturally and to peruse our wide selection of indoor and outdoor clotheslines.

With winter just around the corner, you may be thinking about an alternative to the outdoor clothesline that you have used all summer. Because I no longer have a clothes dryer, I can either choose to visit my neighborhood laundromat or consider other arrangements.

I recently read an article about how drying your clothes indoors can actually add to the comfort of your home.  We are all aware of how dry the air can be in winter, remember all the static in your hair?  This seemed like a great idea so I began my search for the perfect drying implement.  I had no idea there were so many choices.

Your selections range from retractable clotheslines you can hang in the bathroom to a drying rack that once fully loaded with clothes will raise up to the ceiling on a pulley system, saving tons of space.  There are folding racks, racks on wheels and even umbrella tripod styles.  The choice is yours based on the space you have and the amount of laundry you will need to dry.

Find the driest area of your home to set up your drying rack or clothesline.  If your home is feeling uncomfortably dry, usually when the humidity level drops below 40%, drying your clothes indoors can make a real difference.  Because of the increased moisture in the air, you may not need to use your central heating as much since people feel warmer in a humid environment.  

If your home has a moisture “problem”, consider setting up your drying space in a garage or enclosed porch that can be ventilated.  If there is not an indoor option, you can still dry clothes outside in winter.  Even if they freeze, the moisture will eventually dissipate in the dry winter air.

If you need guidance to prepare your home for winter clothes drying or advice on choosing a drying rack, please contact us so we can find the perfect solution for you.

If you feel a tad cluttered and disorganized and would like a drying rack that doesn’t take up room, why not invest in a wall wall mounted drying rack? Your laundry room will look spacious and clean just by hanging up the rack against the wall. Here are some more reasons why this handy type of rack will do you some good.

Eco Friendly

Clothes racks in general are incredibly eco friendly since you aren’t wasting energy by turning on an electric dryer. Since your clothing will be naturally dried, they will be unharmed by chemical ridden dryer sheets. You’ll always save quite a bit of money on your energy bill which is a big plus.

Compact and Organized

If you have a small laundry room you’re going to want to conserve as much space as you can. If you mount a drying rack on the wall, your laundry room won’t look messy and you’ll have more space to walk or add additional furniture. Getting a rack that matches the color scheme of the room will flatter it tremendously and might even garner compliments from guests. Convenience is the main reason why a mounted clothes rack is a great idea since it combats clutter and takes up minimal space.

Wall mounted racks also have enough space to hang up loads of clothes and are sturdy enough to even hold wet jeans and other heavy materials. Wood clothes racks are incredibly eco friendly, but plastic variants will hold up better and last even longer. Whichever you decide, contact us, and we’ll give you more ideas on what you can do with a mounted rack.

When I was a freshman in college, one load of laundry cost $4-$5, and most of it was because of the dryer. I like having clean clothes, but I was not about to pay that much just to dry them. My roommate and I bought a drying rack, and every weekend we would have wet clothes all over the house to dry. We were young and inexperienced, and there are much better alternatives today that have the same financial benefits.

But first, we should address the stereotypes of living without a dryer.

MYTH 1: It’s rural. Wasn’t it on the prairie that people used clotheslines? This is the 21^st century! What about science!

TRUTH: Science says that drying clothes is actually bad for the fibers, and can fade out the colors faster. This is even worse if you use fabric softener. Switching to using a drying rack or clothes line can make your clothes last longer and for free.

MYTH 2: My clothes will be stiff and scratchy without a dryer.

TRUTH: Not necessarily. If you use the right soap and make sure your clothes are well ventilated, your clothes will be nice and soft. Just make sure you get your clothes drying right away. It’s an added bonus if you live somewhere with good clean air; then your clothes will smell fresh too.

MYTH 3: I don’t live in an area with good air; in fact, I don’t even have a backyard to put up a clothesline.

TRUTH: You can hang up a clothesline indoors, or use a wide range of drying products that dry your clothes quickly and are subtle. You don’t need to have an apartment that looked like mine as a freshman; you can be sophisticated and money-wise. Urban Clotheslines has products especially made for those of us in the big or not as big cities, with limited space and no yards.

For me, it was all about savings. Dryers cost a lot of money upfront and a lot of energy down the road. In total, that can be as much as an extra $150 – $200 a month. Going to a laundromat is not much better, and you never know if you will get your clothes back in one piece. If using a sleek retractable rack means that I save money, but also cut back on fossil fuel use and heat pollution, then that just makes the whole deal a bit sweeter. Come and see what Urban Clothes Lines has to offer, or contact us if you have more questions about finally leaving that dryer in the dust where it belongs.

Did you know that there are real benefits associated with drying your clothes on an outdoor clothesline?  Not only will you be able to have amazing smelling clothes but your clothes will last longer and save you money over time.  Line drying your clothes out in the fresh air and sunshine will ensure your clothes smell better then any scented laundry product on the market.  Of course, many of us live in small spaces without backyards so it is good to know that there are alternatives that will still mean savings for you.

Did you ever look at your lint trap on your dryer and wonder if you could make a sweater with that?  If the clothes were line dried you would never have to clean the lint trap again.  Have you had the experience of shredded unmentionables that were snagged on someone’s velcro? Line drying would mean an end to that!  The sun also naturally whitens clothes so you can give up caustic bleaching products.  You will not need to buy dryer sheets but you might still like a fabric softener added to the wash.  Just be sure to get the unscented brand if you will be drying in the sun.

When we think about the appliances that gobble the most electricity in our homes we always think of the dryer.  The heating element, the turning of the drum and, isn’t that prong for a “special” voltage?  Does that cost more?  By leaving the dryer off or set to cool we are also doing some of our part to reduce our carbon footprint.

It is important to invest in a high-quality clothesline, especially for outdoor use due to accelerated decomposition from exposure to the elements.  Your outdoor line needs to be able to be pulled taut but not be stretched too much when all the clothes are hung.  An indoor line will need to fit a specific space so size will be your main consideration.

If you are thinking about switching off the dryer, please contact us and we will be happy to help you solve your clothesline needs.  After all, it’s what we do.

This is something I hadn’t really thought about, but it makes good sense.

A clothes washer is a wonderful machine. Throw in dirty clothes, add some detergent, turn a dial and come back later to clean clothes. Ever wonder where all that dirt goes? Most of it rushes away with the drain water; but some lurks in your machine and can cause laundry to appear dull and gray.

Clean That Machine!

Cleaning is really simple. Fill the washer with hot water. Add 1 quart of chlorine bleach – no detergent. Allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle. Immediately fill the washer with hot water again and add 1 quart of distilled white vinegar. Run the longest wash and spin cycle again.

Using the bleach and vinegar will clean away bacteria, soap scum and mineral deposits from the wash basket and hoses. This is especially important if you live in a hard water area and should be done every three months. Every washer should be cleaned at least twice per year.

Laundry is a fact of life for everyone so it’s a good idea to get kids involved in the process as early as possible. Sure, they’ll make some mistakes but you’ll be teaching a life skill and getting some help for yourself. Persevere and it will help everyone in your household.

Place laundry baskets or hampers in every bedroom and bathroom. Divided hampers are useful for sorting colors and whites.

Give each family member a mesh bag for socks. The bags can be thrown in the washer and dryer preventing lost socks. 

Show children how to hang up clothes and install closet rods low enough so kids can reach them.

Explain the difference between dirty clothes and those that have been worn but are wearable again. This will cut down on your loads and kids will appreciate knowing the difference when they are on their own.

Clip clothespins to the side of every hamper. Teach family members to use them to mark stains.

Ask each family member to be responsible for returning clean clothes back to his drawers.

GOOD LUCK!

For more products to help with your laundry needs go to;    http://www.urbanclotheslines.com/

The Hills Supa Fold 70 Folding Frame is a totally new and revolutionary design in folding frame clotheslines.

Hills Clotheslines have specifically designed the Supa Fold 70 for smaller living spaces such as flats, units and townhouses.

With a handy 23 feet of drying line space, the Supa Fold 70 clothesline has proven to be a very popular product for those in need of dry laundry, but with limited space.

Its powder coated steel design assures the utmost quality in strength and finish, plus the Supa Fold 70 is not only easy to assemble and install, but the design allows it to fold away neatly when not in use.

For more information on this and other useful products go to:   http://www.urbanclotheslines.com/hills-supafold-70-folding-frame-clothesline

Drying your washing in the fresh air is healthier and cheaper too. There are many types of clotheslines and airers to choose from. If you feel that your laundry won’t come out as soft as in the clothes dryer, there are a few ways to solve that problem..