As the days get longer, sunnier, and warmer, they become much more favourable for drying your clothes outside on the washing line. But spring drying comes with its own set of challenges and benefits. Here are our best tips for using your clothesline in spring.
Spring clean your clothesline
If your line has been sitting unused for much of the winter, it has probably accumulated a lot of cobwebs and grime (especially if your neighbours have a log burner). Before you start hanging out your clothes, give your line a thorough clean. Use a soft cloth to wipe away any cobwebs. Then, get a bucket of warm water with a couple of drops of mild soap, and wash the line gently with a sponge. Lubricate moving parts to ensure smooth operation and check the tension of the wires. If your clothesline needs rewiring, check our guide for advice.
Watch for allergens
If you or your family members have allergies, be cautious of pollen during spring. In New Zealand, pine pollen is prolific during September, while gorse, native beech, native coprosma, maple, and plantain pollen are a nuisance for the entire season. Consider using a clothesline cover or giving clothes a quick shake before bringing them indoors. The time of day is also a factor – pollen rises with warm air in the morning and falls with cooling air at dusk, so drying in the middle of the day is the best time to avoid getting it on your washing.
Check your clothes pegs
According to Niwa, spring is typically New Zealand’s windiest season, and October is the windiest month. While this is great for drying your clothes, you don’t want them getting blown off the line (especially if the lawn is still muddy from winter rain). Pegs that have been left outside over winter may be rusted or brittle, so they may need replacing. We have an article on clothes peg options that aren’t made of plastic.
Enjoy the freshness
Spring air has a wonderful scent; it’s caused by a soil-based compound called geosmin. Hanging your clothes outside on breezy spring days not only gets them dry quickly, but it infuses them with that fresh, outdoor aroma that you just can’t get anywhere else.
If your clothesline didn’t survive the winter, or it needs a bit of TLC before you start using it again this spring, we can help. Check out our range of new clotheslines or clothesline parts. If you’re in Auckland or Christchurch, we can repair or replace your washing line for you.
Need a new washing line or some TLC for your existing line?
Auckland Clotheslines can help
If you are looking for a new clothesline talk to us about our stock of quality rotary lines and folding frame washing lines. We stock high-quality brands designed to withstand New Zealand conditions. We ship across the country and if you are in Auckland or Christchurch we can arrange installation for you to at an affordable price.
If you are in Auckland or Christchurch and your existing line could do with some TLC, we also offer repairs and rewiring for most types of lines using quality spare parts.
Give us a call to find out more.