The Humble Clotheshorse

Not having access to an outdoor clothesline while we are away I resorted to putting our first load of washing into the clothes dryer provided. I am not a big user our clothes dryer at home and it feels strange putting some clothing items in to dry from fully wet as I am sure it shrinks some items. I also prefer the smell of washing that has dried in the sunshine, it is a great way to kill bacteria and fungus in fabric and it costs nothing but time to walk to the line and back and pegging it out.

 I was excited when I discovered that there was a clothes horse in the corner of the shared laundry room so the next few loads of washing have been dried on this. I am sure it is so much better for the life of our clothes. It has also saved me $3.00 per load in the dryer and I an sure the environment is much better off too.

A clothes horse evokes so many memories for me. Growing up my mother had a wooden one that concertinaed out to form and arch. I can remember the washing being draped on the and often with sheets over the top so it formed a hut of sorts. I remember distinctly playing under the washing as it gave a feeling of seclusion in a quiet place. The wet washing felt cool as it brushed my cheek, the smell of the clean washing tickled my nose. So many memories brought back by this humble piece of equipment.

As I was getting it out to use it today the woman who services the laundry area commented about me using it. She said she thought no one ever used it and was considering removing them from the room. I obviously showed her that they are used and that by having them available it will encourage more people to think about using them helping their pocket and the earth!