The diameter of a washing line pole typically ranges from 32 mm to 50 mm ( 1.25 1.25 to 2 2 inches) for standard rotary or tubular metal poles. For heavy-duty traditional T-post or fixed steel poles, the diameter is usually larger, ranging from 50 mm to 65 mm ( 2 2 to 2.5 2.5 inches).
45mm diameter poles are the industry standard. They can be found in nearly all studios and at most competitions and exhibition events.
Brabantia 311420 Metal Soil Spear Ground Spike for Essential Rotary Washing Line (35 mm) Solid Anchoring No Concrete, Plastic Lid Cap (Metal/Black)
Know Your Material:
1.3 - Choose the type of post and foundation you want.
Made to last - Finishes. Most traditional washing line posts are of steel construction and the heavy duty variety should come hot-dip galvanized to ensure longevity of over 25 years. Beware of any primer painted versions or zinc plated alternatives.
Select your spot, avoiding drains or cables (use a CAT scanner if unsure), and dig a circa 50cm deep, 30cm wide hole. Position the post loosely, adjusting height as needed. Where our ground socket is used, this can be placed into the hole first with the pole inserted.
For a standard T-style or fixed-post clothesline, the poles should extend 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters) above the ground. This height prevents long items like sheets or pants from dragging on the ground while keeping the line within comfortable reaching distance.
Clothesline poles should generally be placed 15 to 25 feet apart. This distance provides ample drying space while preventing the line and wet clothes from heavily sagging in the middle. For longer spans (up to 30 to 40 feet), you may need a center support prop pole to keep the laundry from dragging on the ground.
A drying rack can be a small space alternative to a clothesline. This DIY drying rack uses clotheslines to hang the clothes from the rack. It's a great way to indoor line dry your clothes. A simple wooden frame holds everything together, with dowel rods giving delicates a place to hang.
The principle is simple and effective:
Removing the Pole
Loosen the soil — Dig around the concrete footing to create room for movement. Cut the pole (optional) — Use an angle grinder or saw to cut the pole at ground level for easier handling.
How to Figure Post Diameter (Figure 2):
This brief guide to the different types of utility poles covers how wood, steel, concrete, and ductile iron poles perform.
For the best results, aim to dry your clothes outside between 10am and 4pm, making the most of exposure to the strongest sun to prevent dampness. It is also good to note that drying laundry between 12pm and 4pm can help reduce the amount of pollen that settles on fabrics.
"Never leave a red sock on the clothesline" is a famous, surreal warning from the picture book Rules of Summer by author and illustrator Shaun Tan.
dig around the footing a little bit, and rock the post back and forth some, to loosen the footing. Then use the lever technique to pull the whole thing out. Then bust the concrete up with sledge hammer (safety goggles!). Did this at our old house on two clothesline posts and four swing set posts.
Amish communities typically dry their clothes in the winter using two primary methods: outdoor "freeze-drying" via sublimation and indoor drying racks.
Loop and Cleat washing poles
This allows the line to be raised and lowered with ease rather than having a fixed height, making hanging out the washing easier, especially for the vertically challenged!
As a general guide, the average height for a wall‑mounted clothesline installation is around 1850 mm (185 cm) above finished ground level, or roughly 150–200 mm above the main user's head height.
'Removing clothes within 30 minutes (or even sooner) is a good habit to get into, as it helps prevent that stale odour from forming. Leaving damp laundry in the machine for several hours can undo lots of the freshness you've just achieved with detergent and fabric softener, meaning you may need to rewash the load. '
Clothes from three wash cycles can easily be accommodated on an extended clothesline. 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.
Installing a heavy-duty washing line post securely requires setting it in a concrete-filled hole for maximum stability against line tension. Dig a hole about 45 cm deep and 30 cm wide. Use a spirit level to ensure the post is perfectly straight while you pour the concrete.