What type of clothesline cord is best for you?

by Thomas Delaney

Clothesline cords need to be chosen with care. It is not just about going in for the cheapest cord and stringing it between two poles or masts. The cord should never snap or sag, or accumulate any form of dirt, dust, grime or rust. This will keep the clothes free from discoloration or stains. A good quality clothesline will outlive a cheap one by many years and will offer true value for money in addition to ensuring that your valuable clothes do not lose their appeal. Here is how you need to go about choosing the best cord.

Strength to support one or two loads of wet wash

The clothesline cord should typically be strong enough to support the weight of either one or two loads of wet wash. Depending on the length of the cord and distance between the poles or supporting masts, cords should support anything from seventeen up to thirty five pounds of weight. Cords that do not support this weight will not be a good choice. Because, it needs to be understood that laundry will include bed sheets, jeans or heavier material. A cheap cord will snap at the first hint of weight, throwing your expensive material onto the floor or what is on the surface.

Ideal length of clothesline cords

Small loads of wash can be accommodated in lesser than forty feet of clothesline cords. However, if the need to dry more number of clothes arise, shorter lengths will not be adequate. Therefore, the choice can be something around 75 to 100 feet, or even better go all the way up to 200 feet. This will ensure that any amount of clothes can be dried out.  Clothes from three wash cycles can easily be accommodated on an extended clothesline.

Material of the cord

The ideal material of the clothesline cord should be poly core. This gives great strength and durability to the cord. The cord will not snap or give in to sudden increase in weight. It will remain firm and straight when strung taut between sturdy poles. A sagging clothesline cord is the last thing that one would really want to see after doing the laundry.

Tips for re-roping or rewiring or re-threading or restringing an umbrella clothesline

On the Breezecatcher clotheslines the best place to start is in the middle of the drying frame.The same on any umbrella clothesline where the cord is threaded through an eyelet.

Before you start, work out where the half length of the cord is. This is usually three or four rows down. Measure out the length of cord required to thread the top rows starting from the middle out. Then thread the lower rows working down.

Check out our "how to rewire a rotary umbrella clothesline" video in our how to guides.

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