Author Topic: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?  (Read 12258 times)

PilotsWife

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How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« on: August 13, 2014, 08:15:13 PM »
Hi all!

I started drying my clothes outside in the sun this summer & would like to continue using a drying rack once the rainy season starts (PNW FTW!). I can't use the rack inside, so I'd like to make a rack that I can hang from the ceiling in my bedroom.

Any suggestions for how to make one? I thought a metal pipe frame hung from a bike rack pulley would work (super easy to make the frame with 90 degree elbows), but it's too heavy. I'm worried that a wood frame will be too flexible & won't hold all of my laundry. There's one on Amazon for $80 (LOFTi), but I just don't want to pay that much.

Any suggestions from people who are much more handy than I am? Thanks!

bogart

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2014, 08:20:09 PM »
I haven't built one, but had considered DIY with small PVC pipes and possibly cord.  You could do the 90-degree elbows like you mention and use t-joiners to create openings you could run cord through in and across the larger frame.  Of course you could also drill small holes in the pipes for the same purpose.


PilotsWife

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2014, 08:26:35 PM »
I haven't built one, but had considered DIY with small PVC pipes and possibly cord.  You could do the 90-degree elbows like you mention and use t-joiners to create openings you could run cord through in and across the larger frame.  Of course you could also drill small holes in the pipes for the same purpose.

That's the plan, but the pipes are still too heavy. I floated the PVC pipe idea to my husband, but he is adamant that it would be too flexible. Should I just make one & see, or could I shore it up somehow? We're looking to make something that's 5 ft x 3 ft, so I see his point about bendiness.

Mrs. Frugalwoods

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2014, 08:47:45 PM »
We have lines of nylon rope strung up with eye-bolts screwed into the ceiling of our basement. I hang hangers on the rope for shirts & dresses and just drape pants and towels over it. It's super simple and works surprisingly well! Happy to take a photo and post it here if that'd be helpful--just let me know.

PilotsWife

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2014, 09:12:48 PM »
We have lines of nylon rope strung up with eye-bolts screwed into the ceiling of our basement. I hang hangers on the rope for shirts & dresses and just drape pants and towels over it. It's super simple and works surprisingly well! Happy to take a photo and post it here if that'd be helpful--just let me know.

Hm, that sounds like it might work! I need the clothes to hang out of reach of our cats (who will jump & pull stuff down, the adorable little shitheads) but this might work! How long is your rope? We have limited space because it has to be in our bedroom & we've really only got one wall empty.

EarlyQuit

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2014, 09:18:57 PM »

We have lines of nylon rope strung up with eye-bolts screwed into the ceiling of our basement. I hang hangers on the rope for shirts & dresses and just drape pants and towels over it. It's super simple and works surprisingly well! Happy to take a photo and post it here if that'd be helpful--just let me know.
This is what my family had when I was growing up. Easy, inexpensive, and it works!

agent_clone

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2014, 02:45:41 AM »
As a question, why does it need to hang from the ceiling?  I would have thought that if you have a timber frame in your house that you could attach it to the wall by finding where the frame parts are and attach it to that.  Just make sure you install the line high enough to keep out of reach of the cats.

For a single line you see these ones in hotel bathrooms frequently: http://www.johnbatman.com.au/Products/Bathroom/Retractable-Clothes-Line.aspx

An example of something retractible where you could have it going from wall to wall: http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/hills-extenda-4-retractable-clothesline/

This wall one seems nifty: http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/hills-somerton-wall-rack/  on a similar vein: http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/teleskop-prestige-clothes-airer/

Or there's the classic folding one:
http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/austral-indoor-outdoor-foldown-clothesline/


This one seems to have some interesting ideas I guess? http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/indoor-clothes-lines/ .  If you want to purchase something then your sure to be able to find something equivalent for cheaper in the US, that site was just the one I came across when looking.  If you want to build something it may give you some ideas at least.

Edit:
For portable ones this seems like it is higher so you could maybe build one of those and move it to a desired location: http://www.lifestyleclotheslines.com.au/hills-portable-170-clothesline/
« Last Edit: August 14, 2014, 02:49:17 AM by agent_clone »

Worsted Skeins

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2014, 04:36:45 AM »
Instructables has some photos of a drying rack that was similar to ones I saw at a hostel in Britain along the Hadrian's Wall path.  Essentially the only room with any heat in the place was the drying room.  And everyone had wet clothes and boots from the damp climate. Further, the hostel offered a washing machine but no dryer.  The pulley racks were great.  Plenty of room for everyone's stuff to dry!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pulley-controlled-clothes-drying-rack/

Thegoblinchief

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2014, 07:22:54 AM »
Most of the lines in my basement are rope, which does have a tendency to sag slightly. If we ever get to remodeling the basement, the new laundry area (slight relocation to allow for a spare room where I hang my clothes now) will have lines made with electrical conduit. That stuff is cheap and sturdy, especially if anchored properly.

But in a bedroom, I'd probably go with rope, especially if you learn a couple fast knots to undo and retie quickly.

TrulyStashin

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Mrs. Frugalwoods

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2014, 07:53:17 AM »
We have lines of nylon rope strung up with eye-bolts screwed into the ceiling of our basement. I hang hangers on the rope for shirts & dresses and just drape pants and towels over it. It's super simple and works surprisingly well! Happy to take a photo and post it here if that'd be helpful--just let me know.

Hm, that sounds like it might work! I need the clothes to hang out of reach of our cats (who will jump & pull stuff down, the adorable little shitheads) but this might work! How long is your rope? We have limited space because it has to be in our bedroom & we've really only got one wall empty.
It works shockingly well--I totally thought the rope would sag over time, but 2 years in and nary a sag. We have 2 long lines (probably 10ft each) and 2 short lines (probably 1ft each) rigged up--you could make it any length you wanted. They span one whole side of our basement, but, when not in use, they're almost flush with the ceiling. Plus, the nylon is white and the ceiling is white, so they're not too noticeable. Stuff should be out of reach of your kitties unless you have super long dresses or sheets or something. I'll take a photo tonight when I get home from work.

bogart

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2014, 08:02:04 AM »

I floated the PVC pipe idea to my husband, but he is adamant that it would be too flexible. Should I just make one & see, or could I shore it up somehow?

It's been awhile since I've worked with anything involving small PVC pipes, so I'm not sure.  But my recollection is that even some of the small ones are stiff?  Easy enough to run by a Lowe's or similar and see what's available, no? 

Agent_clone asked
Quote
As a question, why does it need to hang from the ceiling?

In my home, the answers to this are two-fold:  Getting it that high allows the clothes to hang down without restricting other uses of the space (i.e. they are above all the action, don't interfere with walking through, etc.).  Also, in winter we heat with a wood stove so getting them up high in the room where the stove is (not too near the stove, obviously...) provides a lot of warm, dry air.  I can't speak to the OP's situation, so those reasons may or may not matter to her.

greenmimama

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2014, 08:34:45 AM »
I will try to describe the amish ones I have seen that might work for you.

Some amish barns have a large overhang and they have clotheslines under them, but they fold up so you aren't running into them when the clothing isn't on it.

It is a 1x1 maybe 8inches with a hole drilled into it that the line runs through, then where it attaches to the ceiling, it has a hinge of sorts, and a way to hook it  back up there, maybe a ooh and an eye type of thing. I have no idea if written out it makes sense, but it is really cool, I want to do it on our covered porch.

greenmimama

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2014, 08:36:24 AM »
What about something like this? http://indulgy.com/post/QonJlmIdN1/brilliant-indoor-clothes-drying-rack

forgive me if these have already been talked about, I didn't read all the responses

PilotsWife

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2014, 09:56:46 AM »
Worsted Skeins, that is exactly what I want to make! I just need to figure out how to do it & I am 100% not handy at all.

For those who have asked, I really need a hanging one because it needs to be in my bedroom (& I happen to have high ceilings) & out of the way because stuff doesn't dry quickly in the PNW. It also needs to be high enough that my jackass cat can't reach it because he will play amongst the dangling clothes all day. I can't shut him out of the room because that's where the litter box is, so...a hanging one came to mind.


Thank everyone!

KS

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2014, 09:58:15 AM »
Check out this badass idea! 

http://www.nwedible.com/2012/04/wall-moutned-clothes-drying-rack-perfected.html

And this is now going in my list of "dream laundry room features" for if/when I someday have my own home to mess around with! For now I have one of these, which is actually pretty great:
http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-DRY-01610-Heavy-Gullwing-Drying/dp/B00383O2UU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408031809&sr=8-1&keywords=gull+wing+drying+rack

Worsted Skeins

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2014, 10:07:57 AM »
Worsted Skeins, that is exactly what I want to make! I just need to figure out how to do it & I am 100% not handy at all.


Do you have a neighbor with woodworking tools? There is a retired guy on our street who loves taking on new projects.  Maybe you could trade a pie or something for assistance.

PilotsWife

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2014, 11:50:15 AM »
@KS- that's what I have! I got it off of Craigslist for $10 & I love it. It's a smidge small, though. I can't quite fit a full load of clothes on it, but it works for now.

@Worsted Skeins- I don't know many of my neighbors, but I do have a FIL with tools. I'll show those photos to my husband & hopefully they can come up with something.

TeresaB

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #18 on: August 14, 2014, 04:57:03 PM »
I want a couple of these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VMAC7Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RO7YKCFISYWL&coliid=I2XOWE3AG86JDN

I LOVE the baby jail one but I rent so I don't think I can set one of those up.

teen persuasion

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2014, 05:11:07 PM »
Check out this badass idea! 

http://www.nwedible.com/2012/04/wall-moutned-clothes-drying-rack-perfected.html

Yep, I've got this pinned on my pinterest account, love the idea but just need to find the spot for it.  Search for more ideas like this on pinterest, there are lots.

Mr. Frugalwoods

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Re: How do I build a hanging clothes drying rack?
« Reply #20 on: August 14, 2014, 08:11:54 PM »
We have lines of nylon rope strung up with eye-bolts screwed into the ceiling of our basement. I hang hangers on the rope for shirts & dresses and just drape pants and towels over it. It's super simple and works surprisingly well! Happy to take a photo and post it here if that'd be helpful--just let me know.

Hm, that sounds like it might work! I need the clothes to hang out of reach of our cats (who will jump & pull stuff down, the adorable little shitheads) but this might work! How long is your rope? We have limited space because it has to be in our bedroom & we've really only got one wall empty.
It works shockingly well--I totally thought the rope would sag over time, but 2 years in and nary a sag. We have 2 long lines (probably 10ft each) and 2 short lines (probably 1ft each) rigged up--you could make it any length you wanted. They span one whole side of our basement, but, when not in use, they're almost flush with the ceiling. Plus, the nylon is white and the ceiling is white, so they're not too noticeable. Stuff should be out of reach of your kitties unless you have super long dresses or sheets or something. I'll take a photo tonight when I get home from work.

Here's what it looks like:



OK, wow, that's huge.  Couple more images here (http://imgur.com/a/ZHrCd) but you get the idea.

It does work quite well, we hang a large amount of our laundry.

I initially worried that we'd have problems with that much moisture concentrated in the basement but we haven't had any problems.  This is mere feet away from our boiler and hot water heater.  They are both atmospherically vented, so maybe that constant stack-effect circulates the air enough to switch out the moist air?  I dunno.  It just works.