The Clothesline Collection of Wash Day Inspiration

The Washing Line by Helen Allingham

"When that's all done," said Ma, "I want a clothes-line."

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

Together by Daniel F. Gerhartz

“Oh no, I never do much ironing, except the outside clothes. We must not iron out the fresh air and sunshine, you know. It is much more healthful not to, the doctors say.” Seriously, there is something very refreshing about sheets and pillow slips just fresh from the line, after being washed and dried in the sun and air. Just try them that way and see if your sleep is not sweeter. ” 

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wash Day by William Merritt Chase

Spring is in the air which means fresh breezes followed by a season of warm summer winds. It brings to mind our cozy little clothesline. Do you have one in your yard? A place to dry all your linens and garments? I have become a romantic when it comes to them. They have come to symbolize peace and tranquility in my daily routine. Here are some other reasons that I love our line:

"Sunshine and fresh air are valuable for the purposes of bleaching and purifying."

~ Household Science, 1918

• Less wear and tear on your clothing than from using a dryer.

• Clothing doesn't shrink on the clothesline (but they can in a dryer). 

• Extra exercise as you squat, pick up and stretch your hands to the line to hang out laundry.

"Truly the light is sweet,

And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun…"
~Ecclesiastes 11:7

• Gives you that daily dose of vitamin D that we mothers sometimes lack because we hibernate inside our cozy homes. Fifteen minutes of time in the sun without sunscreen is recommended by the Nat'l Institution of Health. This is especially important for older women because it gets harder for your body to produce vitamin D as you age. This time in the sun will benefit in the following areas including an overactive immune system, heart disease, osteoporosis, breast, colon cancers, helps fight insomnia and depression. Vitamin D from the sun also aids your body to absorb calcium and utilize magnesium which affects many areas of the human body (source).

"I think you might dispense with half your doctors if you would only consult Dr. Sun more."

~Henry Ward Beecher

• $aves money! 

• A clothesline is energy efficient.

• It is very therapeutic! Read the reasons here.

If you find yourself too busy and overwhelmed to maintain a full-time clothesline,  why not attempt to try your towels and sheets. These only take a few minutes to hang because of their size but will still provide you with some of the benefits which we described. You may find yourself longing for more time with that cozy little line!

Hanging the Washing by Helen Allingham

"There is always plenty of washing to do;

Beds to be made, and garments too;

Meals to be got, and clothes to mend,

And just for diversion (?) the babies to tend.

No matter how well these duties are done, 

They come again, with to-morrow's sun;

A never ending circle it swings,

Happy the woman who works as she sings."

~ Excerpt from The Ohio Farmer's Home Guide Book, 1888

I hope you have enjoyed this article and invite you to visit here for more Wash Day Inspiration!

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