One of the first things we installed after moving into our house over twenty years ago was a retractable clothesline. It’s a fancy device with five lines that stretch to over twenty feet. I can easily hang at least three full loads of clothes, bedding and towels and I do own one of the largest washing machines ever sold.
Over the years I’ve had people make the strangest comments about my clothesline:
- “Isn’t it illegal to hang clothes outside?”
- “Can’t you afford a dryer?”
- “You hang your underwear outside for the world to see?”
To the first question: Some states do allow homeowners associations and landlords to ban hanging clothes outside but thanks to good old Governor Moonbeam (Jerry Brown) I live in a “right-to-dry” state! HOAs and Landlords can restrict the hours and items which can be dried in the sunshine but not outright forbid it.
To the second question: Over 92% of the house fires in the US were caused by dryers which were either improperly installed or improperly maintained. Or overused. Or … they’re just plain evil.
To the third: Have you ever put on a favorite pair of underpants and had them slip down to your knees? Unless you’ve lost a lot of weight, you’ve fried the elastic in the dryer. So my bras and panties all get air-dried.
There is a day devoted to the joys of hanging out laundry, of course, but as far as I can tell, there is no ceremony or national event associated with Hanging Out Day. What a shame. I think I’ll petition the White House to install a clothesline in the Rose Garden (I guess it’s now the “Former Rose Garden”) and hang out Old Joe’s knickers to celebrate! Care to join me or perhaps … you have a better idea? Check out the Museum of Fine Line Art Clotheslines for ideas.
Well, it’s a warm day here and my clothes are now dry …. so adios and happy hanging!
Saying nothing in particular 