Writing a blog post about the line-drying equipment used by your neighbors sounds like a ho-hum assignment. But happily, CoHoots LOVE their line-drying equipment, are happy to demo their equipment, happy to have their photos taken with it, happy to share their likes/dislikes, and happy to reveal what does on behind closed doors. Who knew???
Conversations centered around four issues–versatility, size/location, ease of use, and storage.
Versatility
Racks that could be adjusted into multiple configurations were popular. Up/down, in/out–no matter what the modification, it was appealing. Having different hooks on a small clip-style dryer increased options for hanging.
Many options for set-up make this rack more versatile.
This rack can be loaded from bottom to top.
Some racks even entertained household companions, doubling as exercise equipment.
I LOVE playing hide ‘n seek….
For my next trick…
Size/Location
CoHoots liked having equipment that was small enough to stash in the tub or shower when fully loaded. Others liked equipment that was big enough to dry an entire load of laundry. Some equipment met both criteria.
“Wings” go wide or narrow to hold an entire load in a small footprint.
Five-line retractable units were installed in two different configurations. One was end to end in a tub/shower. The other extended from a shower across the bathroom to the wall above the toilet. Same size–two different locations.
Lines in the shower are good for longer and/or wetter items.
This line extends from the shower to the opposite wall.
Ease of Use
Different features made equipment easy to use for different users. Wheels were a plus for moving racks easily. Having clothespins attached to a clip-style unit meant no fumbling for clothespins.
Grooves on plastic rungs meant less slippage; slippery surfaces on other rungs made “harvesting” the laundry when dry very smooth.
Even with a sheet as the top layer, everything gets dry.
Thin lines/rungs made it possible to use clothespins (an asset when using the rack outside on a windy day).
Taller racks were helpful with long items to dry. Multi-level racks handled short and long items in a mixed load.
A bar across the top can hold items on hangars.
Multiple levels handle lots of laundry.
A tall unit with 10 uniform lines was the most like a conventional outdoor clothesline and bypassed the process of orchestrating the loading sequence of multi-level racks.
This rack was used as a frame for the 2013 Hanging Out Day progressive clothespin sculpture.
Storage
What happens to the equipment when it’s not in use?
Some folks leave racks set up all of the time in a less-used area or room.
This rack is set up all the time and used for most of the household laundry year round.
Units that folded into a thin package were easy to stash in a few inches of space. Some even nestled together and became blanket racks.
Three racks are nestled and hiding together in plain sight.
The retractable lines retracted, so their footprint was small.
The retractable lines need to be securely attached to the wall.
One unit folded flat and hung on hooks on the porch.
The rack is accessible but out of the way.
As an aside…some concerns surfaced with prior racks–wooden units got moldy, metal units rusted, and wobbly units grew more wobbly (though they were still usable with a bit of propping up).
What’s Next?
Drying racks that suspend from the ceiling through a pulley system were not discovered in any CoHoot homes, but they were certainly on a wish list. In England, you’d shop for a “ceiling airer” or an “overhead dryer.”
Remember–Celebrate National Hanging Out Day on April 19th.