Putting a car on blocks prevents the tires from flat spotting and the suspension from getting stuck in one position. That’s why it’s done. But it’s only done by those who work with their hands. And in some neighborhoods, that’s a “no no”.

I definitely understand the “poverty” implication of clotheslines. In my family it was clear to me it seemed that anything that could be paid for (drying with a gas dryier) was not going to be done the less-expensive, old way (using a clothesline). It was kind of a mantra for much of the adult generation that came of age in the 50s and 60s.

Regardless of which side you take, I think it’s cool that you analyzed from both sides, recognized the pros and the cons, and MADE A DECISION with the thought of others(your neighbors)involved. Right or wrong, your an unselfish, rational thinking kind of guy.

Unselfishness, and thinking of others are very noble qualities, any way you slice it

T.A Smith, Creator, Smile-Therapy.com

They will NOT win!!!!!!

no way is a clothesline considered a sign of poverty.

that really says a lot about your society

Better add this to the first message – thanks.

It is understandable that when you have bought into a property in a good area that you maintain it to the standard that attracted you to it in the first place. Perhaps when you and the neighbours have lived there longer there will be the inevitable changes. You only need to rock the boat if you feel very strongly about something and you are presently quite happy to keep on the way you are and that is your personal choice.

Compared to three parked and drivable cars stuck directly under the front windows of each house on narrow plots in the UK. I know which I prefer. We all have our problems Trent – love your blog.

Why not put up a 6 foot fence that way you won’t have to worry what you do in YOUR back yard! you could run around naked and not worry! lol.

I have to giggle this makes zero sense – it really sounds as if everyone is keeping up appearances and not being real! You must follow your own path in life.

First, I think you are wise to consider the effect on your neighbours. Like it or not, you need to co-exist with them and it always makes sense to think about ways of acheiving your aims without making unecessary enemies.

I live in a country where dryers are not the norm, even though we get lots of rain. So I can certainly assure you that a dryer is not essential.

I think the main irritant with outdoor clothes lines is when people do not bother to bring their washing in when it is dry. Most English people do not want to look at their neighbours’ weeks-old washing flapping about in the rain, even though they are not in the least bothered by the idea of washing lines. Here is what I recommend:

I would not advise a strung-between-posts type traditional clothes line, for these reasons:
- They are not practical, because you have to cover a lot of ground to create a relatively small amount of drying space.
- When you need to wipe the line clean(which you will from time to time, even in the country) it takes ages because it is strung all over the place.
- Pegging out and collecting in the washing takes ages for the same reason, and you keep having to move the laundry basket along with you as you go.
- It gets in the way of children using the garden (or yard, as you would say) to its full potential and means you have to disentangle children and their bicycles from wet bed sheets.
- It looks pretty messy, which I personally dislike.

Get an umbrella-type rotary clothes line as mentioned in earlier posts. this gives you loads of drying space while taking up very little of your outdoor area. You can site it in a part of the garden that will not bother you or your meighbours, and can take it down easily when you do not want to use it. It is neat and practical, because you can hang and collect your laundry without having to roam all over the place.

Always bring in the dry laundry as soon as possible – this will be appreciated by your neighbours, and is much better for the clothes than being left out for days at a time.

For bad weather (or days when you want to use the garden for something else, like sports or parties) just use folding airers inside the house, near an open window if it is not too cold. This will dry your clothes perfectly well, and is really not that intrusive once you get used to it (did I read somewhere that you already hang nappies (diapers) to dry?).

You need to be systematic in how you hang the clothes, so that you get optimal use from each airer and minimise ironing – so, hang shirts and t-shirts on hangers over the rails of the airer, fold sheets neatly before hanging, etc. If all else fails, you can get things virtually dry on the airers and then finish them off in the drier if you need them urgently (this is often helpful with small children in the house, but not really necessary once the children grow up).

I wish you luck in your air-drying project, and hope that you succeed in starting an eco-trend in your neighbourhood!

Jane