A clothesline utilizes natural air and sunlight to dry laundry, saving energy and extending the life of clothing by avoiding the harsh heat of mechanical dryers. Building a dedicated, permanent structure requires planning and proper installation to ensure longevity and functionality. This guide provides an overview of the necessary decisions, materials, and construction techniques required to successfully install a durable clothesline system.
Choosing Your Clothesline Style
Fixed systems, such as post-to-post or wall-to-post, are the most common and robust setup. These designs offer maximum stability and high load capacity, making them suitable for heavy items like bedding or wet towels. They require minimal maintenance once the supports are properly set.
The pulley system allows the entire line to move while the user remains stationary for loading and unloading. This style is useful when the drying space is far from the access point, such as a back door. Pulley systems require precise alignment and specialized hardware to function smoothly.
Retractable or T-post designs conserve space by allowing the line to be stowed away when not in use. Although often sold as kits, installing the mounting post or wall bracket follows structural principles similar to fixed lines. Choosing the appropriate style depends on yard space, aesthetic preferences, and the typical volume of laundry.
Essential Materials and Tools
Selecting the right line material is important for durability. Vinyl-coated galvanized wire is a popular choice, providing strength and resistance to rust and weather exposure. Heavy-duty polyester or polypropylene rope may also be used. Supports typically consist of pressure-treated wooden posts, galvanized metal poles, or heavy-duty wall brackets, depending on the chosen style.
Fasteners like eye bolts, lag screws, or U-bolts secure the line to the supports, sometimes paired with specialized hardware like thimbles or line clamps for wire systems. Installation requires basic tools. These include a shovel or post-hole digger, a measuring tape, a carpenter’s level, and fast-setting concrete mix for anchoring posts into the ground.
Setting Up Support Structures
Determine the optimal location by considering maximum sun exposure and airflow to facilitate rapid drying. Clotheslines are typically installed 6 to 7 feet off the ground, ensuring long items like sheets can hang freely. Measure the distance between the two support points. Aim for a span that does not exceed 50 feet to minimize line sag under a heavy load.
For ground-mounted posts, mark the location and dig a post hole that is approximately three times the diameter of the post and one-third the post’s length for proper depth. For example, an 8-foot post requires a hole about 2.5 feet deep. Position the post in the center of the hole and use a level to ensure it is perfectly plumb (vertically straight) before pouring the concrete mixture around the base.
After pouring the concrete, ensure the post remains plumb while the mixture cures, a process that takes between 24 and 72 hours. Allowing the concrete to fully cure achieves maximum compressive strength, preventing the post from shifting or leaning once line tension is applied. Skipping this curing period can lead to structural failure under load.
When attaching one end of the line to a structure, the support bracket must be securely fastened to a load-bearing element, such as a wall stud or solid masonry. Locate the center of a vertical stud using a stud finder or tap test, and then use heavy-duty lag screws that penetrate at least 1.5 inches into the wood. For masonry walls, use specialized expansion bolts or anchors rated for the anticipated pulling force to prevent the bracket from tearing out.
Once the supports are stable, install anchor points like eye bolts or hooks near the top of the post or bracket. If using an eye bolt, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the bolt’s diameter and feed the bolt through the support structure, securing it with a washer and nut. These anchor points are where the clothesline material will be attached and tensioned.
Stringing, Tensioning, and Finishing
To begin stringing, secure the line material firmly to the first anchor point using a permanent knot, such as a double overhand knot. If using wire, wrap it around a thimble and secure it with a line clamp. The thimble prevents sharp bends in the wire, reducing the chance of material fatigue. Run the line directly to the opposing support, keeping it as straight as possible.
Instead of tying the line directly to the second anchor point, incorporate a mechanical tensioning device for periodic adjustments. A turnbuckle is the standard component, featuring two threaded eye bolts that increase line tension when the central body is twisted. Attach this device between the line and the second anchor point using a carabiner or shackle.
The goal is to achieve adequate tautness to prevent excessive sag when the line is fully loaded with wet laundry. Adjust the turnbuckle until the line is firm but not so tight that it stresses the support posts or wall structures. Over-tensioning can cause the posts to prematurely lean inward, compromising the entire setup.
After the initial stringing, check the length of the line for twists or kinks. Load the line with a small amount of wet laundry and observe the resulting sag. If the sag is more than a few inches, tighten the turnbuckle slightly and re-check. Minor adjustments may be necessary throughout the life of the clothesline to counteract material stretch and settling.