Hanging Clothes the "New" Old-Fashioned Way
Drying Under the Coconut Tree
I recently treated myself to a new rotary umbrella clothesline. Yes, I realize a rotary dryer may not be a new idea to many of you reading this page, but it's a novelty to me that I'm sure won't wear off quickly. I'm so pleased with this product I just had to write about it and share my thoughts.
Previously our clothes were dried via the traditional 4-lines strung between two galvanized posts in the backyard. The line was located behind our cottage. Unfortunately, our home acted as a sort of windbreak which was not ideal for drying clothes.
This new rotary umbrella clothesline really makes the act of hanging up clothes FUN! I relocated this new dryer to an area of our backyard that takes full advantage of our wonderful trade winds here in Hawaii. This spot gets several more hours of sunlight per day which makes the clothes dry much faster now, in turn making it possible to do several loads in a very short time.
What else do I love about my new method of hanging clothes? Here are a few highlights:
- This rotary line is portable.
- Very easy to install and take down.
- Rotary Umbrella Dryer has a zippered cover to keep the line clean when not in use.
- The in-ground post can be positioned to take advantage of the wind and sunshine.
- It is built strong to hold lots of clothes, but is super lightweight to easily stow away when not needed.
- In-ground post comes with a cap to cover it and prevent rainwater from entering the post.
- Post and protective cap are below the surface of the yard making it possible to mow right over it with your lawnmower.
- Loads of drying space on this line versus a traditional clothesline.
- You don't have to lug around a heavy clothes basket. Just simply stand in place and spin the lines toward you.
Maybe you have to be a certain age to appreciate the feel and smell of clothing and bedding that's just been brought in from the clothesline, but I like to think it's something more than that. Using this outdoor dryer I'm also saving money, getting a little exercise and leaving a little less carbon footprint. I just had to give this product the rating it deserves....5 stars, of course!
Just Like Mine
This Product Deserves 5 Stars
Holding the Pins
No matter the type of clothesline you choose, you will need clothespins to help you accomplish your task. I prefer to use a basic clothespin bag like the one shown below. It's easy to make one of these bags with only a few materials. (You can learn to make a pin bag like mine following the caption link in the picture below labeled SOURCE.)
DIY a Basic Clothespin Bag
Sew a Pocket Apron to Hold Pins
There are other alternatives to clothespin bags. When she hangs clothes on her backyard line, my niece wears an apron with an overlay I sewed for her. The overlay section creates a huge pocket to hold the pins.
A pattern like this allows you to combine some really fun contrasting fabrics. And who doesn't love some
See This Rotary Dryer In Action
Two Loads Drying in a Small Space
No Backyard??? No problem!
If you don't have a backyard to hang your clothes, you may want to look at a wall-mounted 
How's It Hanging?
Which clothesline would you prefer?
In-Ground Support
Wringer Washer Attachments - Remember Those?
At the age of six I was already helping mom with the laundry. We used an old wringer washer and it did a super job of wringing excess water out of the clothes. It's still a great product today, especially for anyone who is thinking of living off-grid.
