If you’re tired of lugging a heavy basket of wet laundry across the garden, or tired of the mounting energy bills that come with using an electric dryer, a washing line pulley system could be the perfect solution.
Not only is this system one of the best washing lines, but it also makes drying your clothes an easier, cheaper, and more eco-friendly household chore. Who knew there could be so many benefits to using a pulley system?
Whether you’re setting one up between the house and a tree, or want a smart indoor solution to dry clothes without a tumble dryer, this step-by-step guide will take you through everything you need to know.
From choosing the right materials and finding the best spot, to mounting the pulleys and threading the line, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you’ll need to get your washing line pulley up and running in no time.
Keep reading to find out how to put up a washing line pulley system and start doing your laundry like a pro, today!
Step 1: Gather your materials
Before you get started with installing your washing line pulley system, you need to ensure you have all the necessary materials to hand. These include:
- Cordless drill and appropriate drill bit
- Spirit level
- Wall plugs (optional)
- 2 screw hooks
- 2 carabiners
- 2 pulleys with ball bearings
- Clothesline tightener
- Pulley line
- Clothesline spreaders (optional – see step 6)
Step 2: Choose the right location
Once you have everything you need, you then need to choose the right location for your washing line pulley.
Where should you install a washing line pulley system?
Your pulley system should be installed somewhere with sturdy structures for mounting, at a tall enough height to prevent obstructions, and somewhere with a clear path so your clothes won’t get caught – like branches or wires.
You can install a washing line pulley both indoors and outdoors. Great indoor locations could include your kitchen, laundry room or garage, whereas outdoors could be between your house wall and tree, or between two support posts you’ve installed for this project.
Step 3: Mount the pulleys
Now that you have your location chosen, it’s time to start installing your pulley system.
How to fit a washing line pulley
First, use a spirit level to mark two spots for your holes. Then, drill pilot holes into your chosen structures, and screw in the both screw hooks. Use a wall plugs, if needed, to ensure the screws don’t come out of the structure.
Once the screws are secure, attach a carabiner to each screw hook, and then clip the pulleys onto the carabiners. To check they’re secure, give the pulleys a slight tug – they should not come off the carabiner, nor should the screw come out of the structure.
Step 4: Thread the washing line
For the final part of the installation, you need to thread the pulley or washing line through the pulleys.
How to thread a washing line pulley
Begin by tying one end of your pulley line to the loop end of your line tightener. Then, thread the other end of the pulley line through the first pulley – top to bottom. Extend the pulley line to the second pulley and thread it again, as you did the first. Pull the rope back to the starting point, creating a continuous loop, and then finally secure the free end to the other side of the line tightener.
Step 6: Test the pulley system
Finally, now your washing line pulley system is completely installed, it’s time to test it.
How to test your washing line pulley
Run the line a few times, ensuring the rope moves smoothly through the pulleys without snagging. You may need to tighten the line a couple of times, to ensure it has the right amount of tension and won’t come undone or sag.
Step 6: Add the clothesline spreaders (optional)
If you want to prevent your washing line from sagging, attaching clothesline spreaders can help to keep the lines apart and the line taut.
How to stop your pulley system from sagging
Place clothesline spreaders after hanging a portion of your laundry onto the rope, as soon as you start to see it sag, and continue adding spreaders as you hang more items. Use as many as needed.
Top tips for installing a washing line pulley system
1. Purchase with the weather in mind
Let’s face it, the British weather can often be more rainy than anything else. However, you don’t want all your hard work to go to waste, when the weather damages your system.
If installing your pulley system outside, opt for rust-resistant hardware and pulleys, and waterproof pulley lines that can handle wet weather.
2. Face the sun
When installing your pulley system outside, you want to make sure your laundry gets all the benefits of the good weather.
Install your system in the sunniest, breeziest spot in your garden – south or west-facing if possible – avoiding any shade from trees or fences. Your pulley line should also be UV resistant, to prevent it from degrading in the sun.
3. Plan for wet days
The British weather can often stall our laundry days, especially if outside is too cold or wet to dry clothes.
If you’re planning on exclusively drying laundry outside, consider installing your system under a cover so you can harness the wind without the rain.
If that isn’t possible, make sure you have a secondary indoor drying routine – such as with a concertina clothes airer – or, better yet, install your pulley system indoors instead! You can use the method above inside, or could install a pulley line system with a ceiling airer to optimise vertical space.
4. Create a gentle slope
Whilst washing line pulleys are designed to help dry your clothes, you want to make sure it’s draining water properly.
Mounting the far pulley around 5-10 centimetres higher than the other side can help water run off the line much easier. A gentle slope can also help prevent your line from sagging in the middle, too!
5. Consider a retractable pulley system
Not got the biggest garden or laundry room? Worried the weather might damage your system? Pulley washing lines don’t need to be a permanent installation!
Consider installing a retractable pulley system, that can easily be unclipped and put away, to save space and protect your line from the elements.
When it comes to washing lines, we’re the experts you can count on. In fact, James Lever pioneered the introduction of PVC washing lines to the UK in the 1960s, and our Everlasto range has been the leading brand ever since.
Ready to improve your laundry game? Get in touch with our friendly team for advice on the best washing line for you, or check out more resources over on our blog.