Archival Film: Clotheslines (1981)

I love my clothesline. Not only for ecological and economical reasons but because they are beautiful. At my homestead the clothesline has become quite a conversation piece, evoking fond memories and as an introduction to discuss topics like energy conservation and art. I want to thank Paul Wheaton for suggesting the use of the clothesline, it has brought me great joy.

Tags, Community, Art, Ancestral Skills, Woman's Experience, Conservation

Clotheslines (1981) by Roberta Cantow and Mary Dunn (32 min) - http://www.folkstreams.net/film,307

With verve and humor, this film shows the love/hate relationship that women have with the task of cleaning the family's clothes. As we see the clothes flapping in the wind and hear the voices - some proud, some angry, some wistful - we realize that doing laundry calls forth deep feelings about one's role in life. Some remember when their mothers and grandmothers tackled the same chores using washtubs and washboards, or even river streams. This engaging film pays homage to the commonality of women's experience.

Nice little film - enjoyed it. It preserves what for many is 'Ancient History'.

I liked the quote "When I hang up the laundry, I think of my mother. When I throw it in the dryer, I don't think of her."

As Will Hooker states in his UNC Intro to Permaculture, if everybody went back to clothes lines, the energy savings would be enough that we could shut down every nuclear power plant in the country.

To me, the only sensible spot for a clothesline for a good part of the year, is in the greenhouse and during the heating season, in a sunroom or near a stove. The benefit of quick drying in wind is lost, but it's nice to be able to drape clothes over the line without pins. When the process is quick and pleasant, people are more likely to use a line.

Rain and snow are serious issues for me in the winter. When the greenhouse is not used for plants, it can be quite dry. Most houses could use a little humidity when heating with wood.

Ours is an indoor one!



Our climate seems to switch from too hot and sunny, when the clothes bleach in the sun and we like to have the cooling effect in the house, to incredibly wet, when it's impossible to dry anything outside. So for us indoors is the perfect place.

This reminds me when we lived in an apartment I would hang light shirts on hangers from the ceiling fan.

Edit PS also set up in the tub shower 5 gal buckets. Tried different methods plunger, me walking on the clothes, plastic dishrack to drain. Ended up buying a high speed spin drier (Laundry Alternative) and 4 gal electric Wonder Washer.

I remember it being labor intensive and getting tennis elbow during this time- did a lot of hand wringing of clothes.

I also did a overnight pre-soak of dishes using the high pressure shower head.