When I was growing up we were given chores. Mine was laundry. We had 4 lines- like a big square. I could fit 6 loads of wash on them. My favorite part was trying to fill it up before the first load was dry. (There were 9 kids so this was not hard to do). We weren't allowed to go any where without our jobs being done first. I was always the last one done but to this day I love to do laundry and hang it on the line.

(and since I didn't want to go upstairs between loads I would sweep the basement and made curtains for the windows- anything so I didn't have to do more work. Every year we switched jobs- I hated the bathroom- traded my sister and all was well. Mom finally gave up and just let me do laundry.)

That's very common in newer neighborhoods. although I don't like it. Kinda snotty, isn't it?

Just think how smart we women are that we can develop "rules" to streamline anything! For instance:
1. Clean the clothesline -- that insures that those metal lines have all the oxidation off them (& plastic ones that came later have all the polution off them) so the clothes don't have black lines on them.
2. Whites are first on because they got washed first. Before automatic washsers, the clothes got washed in order of the color, light to dark, because they were washed in the same water. (& that was before "green" became something besides a color!). Sheets were mostly white, so they were one of the first pinned on. They caught the breeze better on the outside lines.
3. Yep, shirts were hung by the tails. They caught the breeze to dry faster and dewrinkle better too. Pants were hung by the legs on two lines for the same reason and they were all ready for ironing if needed.
4. In many case washing wasn't a Monday chore -- large families required several wash days each week!

Thanks for the memories, they were fresh & sweet!

Mom would go to take my Dad's good "Freeze Dried" shirts off the line in the winter - and they would CRACK!!!

I could always tell when it happened because I could hear Mom in the backyard, mumbling to herself "Well, there's another trip to the clothing store!!!"
:shock: :roll: :? :shock: :roll: :? :shock:

We had a dryer that my mom never used (never did figure out why). I remember sharing the clothespin thing.. I still like to hang out but only because I like the smell and can't afford (width wise & length wise) to have anything shrink. We are a TALL family. Must confess that I leave the clothespins out there all year. Now hang most stuff on hangers and then on the lines. Neighbors are not close.

My mother followed all those rules, except wed, thur, friday was house cleaning days. Don't know how she managed to raise a huge garden and can almost everything we ate. Plus sewed my clothes. We had a wringer washer and of course you washed the whites first, then lighter colored ones next, then darks because everything was washed in the same water.

I only hang blankets and pillows on the fence twice a year, its the fence used for dog area, neighbors are 1/2 block away.

This is getting to be a long thread but I just had to add how much I love hanging laundry. And I do follow most of the guidlines. I don't follow the day rule. I love to see a well hung line of cloths blowing ans snapping in the breeze. It shows care and pride of ownership. Hanging cloths in a "proper" manner also keeps clothes from becoming lopsided and stretched out so they wrinkle less last longer.

peace

I miss having a clothes line. I love the feel of fresh, crisp sheets! We also live in a neighborhood where hanging clothes on anything outside is not allowed. I'm beginning to dislike the HOA's with a passion.....

Oh how I remember... especially in cold weather! Momma really did instruct us this way!! But they are actually sweet memories... I find myself wishing for a clothesline!