Clothesline Installation: T-Post, Retractable, and Pulley Systems

T-Post Clothesline

A T-post is a vertical post with a horizontal crossarm at the top, typically set in a pair 30 to 50 feet apart. Four or five parallel lines run between the crossarms. This is the traditional backyard clothesline and it handles the most laundry at once.

Use 4x4 pressure-treated posts, 10 feet long. Set them 3 feet deep in concrete (Quikrete in the hole, plumb the post, add water). The top of the post stands 7 feet above grade — tall enough that sheets do not drag on the ground.

The crossarm is a 2x4 or 2x6 bolted through the top of the post, extending 18 to 24 inches on each side. Drill holes or install screw eyes at 12-inch spacing along each crossarm for the lines.

Tension the lines with a turnbuckle on one end. Clothesline cord stretches over time, and sagging lines let clothes drag on the ground. A turnbuckle lets you take up slack without re-tying the line.

Retractable Clothesline

A retractable clothesline mounts to a wall, post, or fence and extends a single line (or multiple lines) to a hook or post across the yard. When not in use, the line retracts into the housing. Good for small yards or where a permanent clothesline would be in the way.

Mount the retractable housing at about 5 feet high on a wall or post, with the receiving hook at the same height on the opposite side. Most retractable units handle 30 to 40 feet of line.

Quality matters. Cheap retractable units use thin cord that tangles and housing that cracks within a season. Units from Austral, Hills, and Minky use stainless steel wire and UV-resistant housings. Expect to pay $30 to $80 for a unit that lasts.

The single line limits how much you can hang at once. For a full load of laundry, you need two or three retractable units side by side, or a multi-line retractable unit.

Pulley System

A pulley clothesline runs a continuous loop of line between two pulleys — one near the house (often mounted on a porch post or wall bracket) and one on a post or tree farther away. You stand in one spot and move the line toward you to hang and retrieve clothes.

This setup works well when the line needs to span a long distance (50 to 100 feet) or cross areas where a permanent line would block passage. The operator stands at the near pulley and never needs to walk the length of the line.

Mount the near pulley at shoulder height (about 5 feet) for comfortable hanging. The far pulley can be higher — 7 to 8 feet — so the line slopes upward and away, keeping clothes above head height.

Use a clothesline tightener (a small turnbuckle or spring device built into the line) to maintain tension. The longer the span, the more sag you will get in the middle of the line, and the more tension you need.

Line Material

Cotton cord is traditional but stretches when wet, weakens in UV light, and mildews. Not recommended unless you want the nostalgic look and plan to replace it every season.

Vinyl-coated wire is the most durable option. The wire provides strength and the vinyl coating prevents rust stains on clothes. It does not stretch and lasts for years. This is what most permanent installations use.

Braided synthetic cord (polyester or nylon) is a good middle ground. It resists UV, does not mildew, and stretches less than cotton. Not as permanent as vinyl-coated wire but easier to handle and tie.

Tips for Efficient Drying

Orient the clothesline so it runs east-west if possible. The south-facing side of the line gets direct sun for most of the day. Hang items that take longest to dry on the sun-facing side.

Hang shirts by the hem, not the shoulders. Hanging by the shoulders stretches the fabric and leaves hanger bumps. Clipping the hem to the line lets the shirt hang upside down and dry without distortion.

Shake each item before hanging. This removes wrinkles and fluffs the fabric, which increases surface area and speeds drying.

Space items 2 to 3 inches apart. Overlapping items block airflow and take much longer to dry. A clothesline looks like it has extra capacity when items are crammed together, but drying time increases significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions